Over the past couple of days I’ve been doing intern interviews for the Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living. It’s a job I’ve been doing for close on 10 years and one I look forward to every year.

Many of the young people we interview come from a farming background and have a deep knowledge and interest in agriculture. Others grew up on farms and are completing degrees that will take them away from rural Ireland and agriculture. Some have relatives who farm and got their interest that way, others are passionate about rural Ireland.

What strikes me every year is how hard working each of them is. If you live in rural Ireland and have children who wish to do a four-year degree in Dublin, or anywhere for that matter, you need deep pockets. Very often there’s two from a family in college at the same time and coping with this financially is really tough.

Going to college is something young people don’t take for granted. And judging from the young people we get to meet, they are more than willing to put in the hours working in all sorts of jobs to earn enough to keep themselves. As well as that, many of them return home every weekend to help the ‘ould fella’ or care for the herds and flocks they have built up in their own right.

Their work ethic is outstanding, a trait that will stand to them with potential employers. They are a credit to their parents and families and I only wish we could accept more of them but that’s not possible

On Friday night we had tickets for Nathan Carter in the UL concert hall. I hadn’t been to one of his concerts in over a year and I was blown away by the wonderful show he put on.

Mind you, it’s only seven years ago since Nathan was in Limerick for his first dance gig. He was due to begin at 10.30pm but there were only 42 people in the hall so he decided to wait for 15 minutes so that a few more might gather. After 15 minutes, the number in the hall had fallen to 39. I know that’s a true story as I was there counting them with him. It’s a far cry from that to selling out the UL concert hall for two nights running – and the 3 Arena too for that matter. He’s a lovely young man who hasn’t been changed by fame and who well deserves all his success.

On Saturday I was up bright and early for a trip down to St Mary’s Abbey near Lismore to attend the launch of Glencairn A Year in the Life. We had a lovely day and it was great to catch up with the sisters and so many people from all around Waterford.

Sunday was a grand day and Sean and I dug into cleaning around the house and yard. It’s amazing how much progress we can make when working together – especially when the weather is on our side.

As for Christmas, I haven’t a thing done but it doesn’t bother me once the ham and turkey are ordered and the Christmas cards are sent. There are plenty of hands to help with the rest. The only present I want is a few days with our baby granddaughter and that’s less than 20 sleeps away. CL