Francis Farragher

Ireland

Journalist at Connacht Tribune

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connachttribune.ie

Articles

‘Fair play’ needed on peat soil management

1 week ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

MANAGING peat soils in Ireland has become a major talking point and had been allowed to become a divisive issue by Dept. of Agriculture procrastination and lack of clear information, according to North-West-Midlands Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan. He said that in the last CAP reform, a new GAEC ll Standard (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition) was introduced to encourage better management of organic soils.
Fertiliser sale and supply issues persist

1 week ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

FARMERS across the western region are continuing to face difficulty in sourcing fertilisers mainly due to sourcing and supply issues. Nitrogen fertiliser such as urea and compounds like 10.10.20 have intermittently not been available from some merchants and co-ops over recent weeks with ships not arriving on schedule.
Visit of iconic British Open trophy a huge boost for club after Storm Éowyn damage

1 week ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

AFTER the destruction and traumas of Storm Éowyn last January, there was a day of welcome relief in Athenry Golf Club last month when the most famous trophy in World Golf stopped off for a visit. Golf Ireland officials brought the Claret Jug – the trophy to be lifted next July in Portrush, Antrim, by the winner of the British Open – to 23 clubs around Ireland including Athenry and Portumna.
Garda searches yield drugs and illegal weapons

1 week ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

AN intelligence-led operation by the Galway Garda Divisional Drugs Unit last week resulted in the seizure of nearly €433,000 worth of illegal drugs. Drugs Unit officers assisted by local Gardaí launched a search on a house in Ballinsloe last Friday and discovered what they described as a sophisticated ‘cannabis growhouse’. One man in his late thirties was arrested at the scene and the discovery led to a follow-up search operation in Athlone which uncovered a second cannabis growhouse.
Ballyforan facility seen as a game-changer for tourism along Galway/Roscommon border

1 week ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

A ONE million euro plus Greenway route through a famous bog close to Ballyforan village on the Galway/Roscommon border was officially opened recently by Minister of State, Alan Dillon. The 3.1 kilometre Ballyforan Greenway is a shared walkway and cycleway loop through a section of the 250-acre Derryfada Bog which takes in parts of Galway and Roscommon.
Minister ‘has to lead’ on TB crisis

2 weeks ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

THE Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, has been asked this week by a Galway farm leader to carry out a root-and-branch review of the entire Bovine TB situation across the country as breakdowns continue to spread.
Farewell to Francis – a force for good in a troubled world - Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune

2 weeks ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

Country Living with Francis FarragherOkay, so I admit that it can be boring to keep harping on about the passing of time, but it only seems like yesterday when the editor of this esteemed publication [it’s in my contract to say that!] asked me to write a piece about our new Pope. The reason for his request was quite obvious in that like another 50 or so million people around the world, my Christian name provided the rather tenuous connection.
Farmers advised to plan ahead for potential TB crisis

2 weeks ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

FARMERS have been strongly advised to have a financial contingency plan in place in the event of their herd experiencing a Bovine TB breakdown. According to the Ifac farm accounting services firm, farmers need to be aware of what their financial options is such a breakdown occurs on their farm. There are a number of compensation schemes in place for farmers to help manage the economic impact of a Bovine TB breakdown and Ifac are advising farmers affected to make an early contact with the Dept.
The ‘nuts-and-bolts’ of farm succession

3 weeks ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

THE IFA meeting on farm succession and transfer issues held last week in Athenry was described as ‘a great success’ with a big turnout of farmers eager for factual information and advice. Galway Farm Family Representative and one of the organisers of the meeting, Anne Mitchell, said that there was a growing awareness among farming families of the need to have their ‘affairs tidied up’ to avoid potentially divisive and costly consequences ‘down the road’.
Welcome for lift in suckler grants of up to 50%

3 weeks ago | connachttribune.ie | Francis Farragher

A 50% INCREASE in the 2025 Suckler Beef Welfare Scheme – up from €50 to €75 – has been welcomed by farm representatives this week. The increased funding was confirmed last week following a meeting between IFA representatives and the Dept. of Agriculture – the maximum payment under the scheme this year will now be €3,375 [45 weanlings].