Farmers Journal
Stashed away in a rusty tin box
over half a century on
dated nineteen sixty-five, yellow-brown, now
its paper pulp lignin oxidised, still legible
The article featured you, Father
with snapshots in frozen time
Left hand on knee, foot on limestone
the land type you were reclaiming,
in another you stood with your flock
And it is of little wonder I sense your presence
more these March mornings
as day lengthens and
we head fast to the equinox
lambing on the horizon
I recall your attention to the ewes
regular day and night inspections
to reduce losses
a team of midwives on the job
no let up
Huts, built with stone or timber, galvanised roofing
housed difficult cases
placed along the wall of The Hollow Field,
The Lambing Field
ready in advance of the annual onslaught
Early morning bleating
splayed legs, unsteady
two in a tea-chest beside the black and white range
Now, I dwell on your spirit self
out there
somewhere
Wonder what your gaze misses most of all
at this time of rebirth?
– Teresa O’ Connor-Diskin, Kilroe, Headford, Co Galway. Teresa’s parents, Sean and Peggy O’Connor, (RIP) and their eight young children including herself and her twin sister, Bernadette, appeared on the Irish Farmers Journal on 14 August 1965 (see above).
How to avoid extra fees and charges in banking
Use online banking to ensure your bank account is operating within its limits. If using an overdraft make sure you do not exceed your limit as this will lead to surcharges (c 1% per month). If you have a loan ensure you have sufficient monies in your account each month to make your repayment.
Hedgehogs are awake. Please be careful with lawnmowers. They are also lactose intolerant, so no milk please ?? Water and cat food is good.???? pic.twitter.com/it9uDH5kKm
— ?? M-K ?? ???? ??NHS. (@marie_kate2) April 25, 2021
Our favourite Instagram post of the last week had to be the announcement that @chefbrianmcdermott was named the @blasnaheireann Producers Champion.
The award which has previously been won by Neven Maguire from MacNean House in Cavan and Jess Murphy from Kai Restaurant in Galway acknowledges those who lift, promote and celebrate Irish producers every day through the work that they do. We were also thrilled that our very own Ciara Leahy was part of the highly commended list of nominees for her writing in Irish Country Living celebrating our farmers and food producers.
200
The number of years that Cronin’s Yard, the famous meeting spot at the bottom of Carrauntoohil, has been in Katie Jane Cronin’s family.
From Gina Oglesby, who features in our Agri Careers pages this week.
We want employers to realise and acknowledge that the ‘career gap’ (the time spent working at home) wasn’t lost. It was very valuable and a huge amount of skills were accomplished during that time. Skills which these returners can put into a workplace context. That is what matters to us
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