Which is the best farming county in Ireland?

It was prompted by the first sighting of an interactive map being developed to coincide with our forthcoming land price report. Nothing like a blank map of Ireland to get people thinking.

“It has to be Cork I suppose,” came the first voice, but he sounded like he didn’t really want to accept even his own answer.

“Kilkenny has the highest average single farm payment,” said another. “That makes it the best”.

“But that’s just because they had a lot of mixed beef and tillage farm – it doesn’t make them the best."

“I think it’s Waterford – it has great farmers," said a Corkman. They didn’t see that one coming, assuming a Corkonian would never vote for his neighbour, or more importantly ignore his native land.

“Kildare has the best land and all the stud farms,” said one voice, but he was promptly dismissed. “Yeah, but it has the worst farmers,” said one brave soul, who took a quick glance to make sure that the three Kildare farmers on the staff were not within earshot.

“Monaghan undoubtedly has the best farmers – they have crap land and they turned to pigs and poultry to make the most of it”. This generated a surprised but interested silence.

“That’s true,” said our deputy editor Pat O'Keeffe, “but you could make the same case for Cavan.

“Is it the best farms or the best farmers you’re looking for? How do you define it?"

"I think Kerry is the best," interjected online content manager and staunch Kerrywoman Aisling Hussey, "It's a good dairy county and home to the wittiest farmers in Ireland."

A crowd was gathering now - thankfully the paper was just gone to press. A lively county based debate attracted crowds like a three card trick man.

Now the real row was starting. Time to re-focus.

“The best land is definitely in north Co Dublin – Rush and places like that."

We all cooed in agreement that the vegetable land in north Dublin was something special. The photographer nodded.

“We’ll have to run an online poll or something to find out”

We couldn’t agree. Over to you. What’s the best farming county in Ireland? And why? We’d love to hear your views. Farmers Journal goodies for the best contributions.