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2 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Originally from Co Mayo, Tommie Campbell demonstrates how a career can evolve over a lifetime. Starting out as an apprentice, he took on a farm manager role before moving into a veterinary practice in Tipperary where he worked for 15 years.
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2 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Nestled in the coastline between Ballina and Tawny, Rossnakill in Co Donegal is largely designated as a Gaeltacht area. Known for its beautiful landscape, it is home to many farming families. There has been little in the way of organised social network and physical activity for the men in the region. But that has all changed – and now the men are on the move.
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2 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Deciding if your child does transition year (TY) might be out of your control; often it depends on whether the school they attend has a compulsory TY programme or if it is optional. Even if it is optional, sometimes it involves an application process and interview, meaning some students who want to do TY still miss out on the opportunity to participate. In the 2023/2024 school year, almost 80% of students in Ireland participated in TY, which equates to 60,000 students.
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2 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
In March, Connections Arts Centre (CAC) launched its Creative Transition Year Connections (CTYC) impact report, which showcased the effects of its community education programme for adults with disabilities. The social enterprise is aiming to create a positive impact by championing arts, lifestyle, and learning programmes that bridge educational gaps and promote inclusivity for people with disabilities.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Ireland’s dairy sector supports 55,000 jobs, making it the largest indigenous category in the Irish economy. However, thave been job losses in recent months with two of the biggest milk processing companies laying off staff. In 2024, Tirlán cut their headcount by 150 employees across the company. Last week, Dairygold announced a reduction of 70 positions over the next two years. As a result, there is a level of uncertainty around employment in the dairy production sector.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
The Further Education and Training conference ‘FET – the First Learner Choice’ took place on Wednesday 2 April at the Knightsbrook Hotel and Golf Club, Trim, Co Meath. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal at the event, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said: “For years, Irish students have travelled to Poland to take veterinary courses because University College Dublin (UCD) was the only course in the country, with 90 places, that was oversubscribed every year.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
New figures released by the Central Statistics Office in March show an increase of 104% in the number of women in employment compared to 26 years ago. In 1998, 641,800 women were employed in Ireland, which leapt to 1.2m in 2024. Taking into account a 48% growth in Ireland’s population since 1998, these figures show a considerable improvement in female representation in the workplace.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Ireland’s dairy sector supports 55,000 jobs, making it the largest indigenous category in the Irish economy. However, thave been job losses in recent months with two of the biggest milk processing companies laying off staff. In 2024, Tirlán cut their headcount by 150 employees across the company. Last week, Dairygold announced a reduction of 70 positions over the next two years. As a result, there is a level of uncertainty around employment in the dairy production sector.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Taking a break from the busy calving season to join us on this week’s Young Stock Podcast is Kate Fitzgerald. From a young age, Kate had a passion for livestock and farming. She would run home from school to help her father on their suckler farm outside Dungarvan. Unfortunately, her father died by suicide in 2017, which meant they had to make the hard decision to sell out the herd.
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1 month ago | 
farmersjournal.ie | Sarah McIntosh
Early intervention and thorough assessment for children with additional needs is not just beneficial – it is essential. By identifying needs early and implementing targeted supports, children have a much greater chance of reaching their full potential. This proactive approach not only enhances individual outcomes but also supports families and has a positive societal impact.
