As Irish Country Living finishes the year, we reflect on some highlights of 2023.

One of the best days for our team and readers every year is our Women & Agriculture conference, which took place on 25 October in the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.

It was a day of information and entertainment, laughter and even a (happy) tear or two.

Feedback forms collected on the day expressed that Brendan Courtney "stole the show". Not only did his funny quips have women in hysterics of laughter, he also got very "personal and real" talking about his emotional struggles this year when his mother was admitted to a nursing home with dementia.

Síle Seoige spoke about the journey that many young parents have now made on the back of the pandemic, leaving the city and returning home to rural Ireland for the lifestyle benefits.

Síle said: “I didn't think I would leave Dublin, my parents never expected me to take the road home for good. But with two small children, my husband and I are loving life beside the sea in Spiddal.”

Highlights

Other highlights on the day included a live recording of the Irish Farmers Journal Tech Talks, hosted by editor Jack Kennedy; a thoughtful and engaging panel discussion around succession and conflict resolution, hosted by Janine Kennedy, Irish Country Living; financial planning advice from Carol Brick; and live entertainment from Sing Along Social.

However, the real success of the day was the atmosphere in the room and the engagement from Irish Country Living readers. That is what made the day really memorable.

Check out this video taken on the day and we look forward to seeing our readers in 2024.