Farming
Farmers allowed to fence roadway
ENVIRONMENTALISTS who tried to prevent a fence from being erected by farmers on a Connemara commonage to prevent cattle from escaping onto an adjoining road, have failed in their appeal to An Bord Pleanála – one of those opposed to the fence was former Green TD Roger Garland.
There had been incidents of cattle breaking out from the commonage at Ballynahinch and causing minor accidents – the Gardai had expressed concern at the situation.
This was why the interested parties in the commonage at Derryadd West, Ballynahinch erected fencing along the boundary with the road.
Those involved in the Keep Ireland Open group argued that the fencing would prevent walkers accessing the lands.
But An Bord Pleanála ruled that the fencing remain in place. It was a condition that the barbed wire on top of the fence be removed and replaced with a suitable alternative.
The Planning Appeals Board also stated that stiles or gates be provided at suitable locations along the adjoining road – the farmers using the commonage have no issue with this.
It involves around a mile of fencing along a regional road that was erected to prevent livestock from breaking out onto the road. Planning was granted by Galway County Council.
Over recent times local Gardai expressed concerns about the dangers of animals having access to the public road and its implications for motorists.
But former TD Roger Garland appealed to An Bord Pleanála on the basis that the erection of the fence prevented access to the lands from the public wishing to walk there.
He claimed that there was evidence of access to these lands at Derryadd West, Ballinahinch for the past 10 years. This has been disputed by those grazing the lands in question.
The commonage is not grazed by all tenants, but all contributed to the fencing. The REPS and AEOS schemes require that the land must be stock-proof, which cannot be guaranteed without fencing, it is stated in the planning file.
There are two gates, but they would have no objection to putting in a stile if deemed necessary, but the tenants would have concerns regarding insurance if someone was injured.
THE fact that over 20,000 farmers have applied for inclusion in the new suckler cow scheme is a positive indication for a farming sector that’s considered to be one of the main bedrocks of agriculture in the West of Ireland, according to Galway’s IFA Livestock representative, Micheál Haverty.
He said that since 2018, there had been a 12% to 14% decrease in Irish suckler cow numbers across the county mainly due to the tight margins and the labour intensive nature of in the enterprise.
“The fact that over 20,000 farmers have applied for inclusion in the new SCEP scheme is a step in the right direction. Without a viable suckler cow sector across the country, and especially in the West of Ireland, the viability of the country’s multi-billion euro beef sector would be in doubt,” Micheál Haverty told the Farming Tribune.
He also called for no time lag to follow with the introduction of the new BEEP-S scheme which would be an additional financial supplement to the SCEP payments. “The Minister [Charlie McConalogue] has committed to introducing the new BEEP-S scheme as quickly as possible – we are expecting confirmation of this over the next week or two,” said Micheál Haverty.
Galway tops the county ‘league table’ in terms of SCEP (Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme) applications (which closed on May 22 last) with 2,428 farmers from the county applying, followed by Mayo on 1,886, Clare on 1,791, Cork (1,537), Roscommon (1,196), Donegal (1,067) and Kerry (1,050).
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Galway farmer Blátnaid Gallagher knows first-hand how open space and being around animals can help someone’s sense of well-being.
The former member of the Defence Forces recalls how, as a young girl growing up in Renmore, Galway City, regular visits to her uncle’s farm offered its own kind of therapy.
“Nothing compared to spending time on the farm,” said Blátnaid. “Breathing in the fresh air after being let loose in the fields, being surrounded by animals . . . and getting up to all kinds of divilment,” she laughed.
From an early age, Blátnaid appreciated the land and formed a lasting connection to nature.
Blátnaid and her husband Niall inherited her uncle PJ Murray’s 100-acre farm in 2016.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Killoran, Co Galway, near the historical village of Aughrim in East Galway, Murray Meadows is a family-run farm transitioning to organic farming – home to geese, hens, ponies, donkeys and Blátnaid’s flock of pedigree Galway sheep, producing organic lamb and Galway wool.
Since last year, Blátnaid and Niall have been diversifying into social farming – proving a fruitful collaboration with Social Farming Ireland (SFI).
Social farming is a service delivered by farmers as an innovative use of agriculture to promote therapy, rehabilitation, social inclusion, education and social services in rural areas.
The service allows people with challenges to engage in everyday activities on ordinary working farms in their local community.
Blátnaid explained that social farming provides a structure around a working day that people may not have had the chance to experience elsewhere.
“Opening up the farm was a no-brainer,” said Blátnaid. “On a farm, you get to connect with nature and animals. It’s a wonderful place to be.
“I describe it as the best prescription to increase self-esteem and improve health and well-being.”
An open day on Blátnaid’s farm, held earlier this week, offered an opportunity to showcase what social farming is all about.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
A SUBSTANTIAL holding of land in east Galway – described as one of the finest to come to the market in recent years – has been sold after auction for almost €12,200 an acre.
The holding, extending to almost 107 acres at Carrownafinnoge, Fahy, Eyrecourt, went under the hammer but actually wasn’t sold in the auction room.
However, following behind the scenes negotiations involving auctioneer Niamh Madden of Sherry FitzGerald Madden in Loughrea and two interested parties, the guide price of €1.3 million was eventually achieved.
The main block of just over 101 acres was purchased by purchased by former rugby player and successful dairy farmer Shane Morkham who had been leasing the land for years.
The smaller portion of 5.3 acres, just a couple of hundred yards away, was acquired by another local dairy farmer following the intense negotiations.
Auctioneer Niamh Madden told Farming Tribune that there was always good demand for quality agricultural land and she described this holding as “one of the finest” in east Galway.
“In the lead-up to the auction, we had a considerable number of inquiries but the two individuals who acquired the property know it well having grazed the lands for years.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Death driver with drink and drugs in his system is sent to jail
‘Double standards’ on Covid bonus for hospital catering workers
Funding for dedicated cancer care facility in Galway
Appeal for responsible parking as huge crowds expected at Connemara beaches
Galway public asked to consider all options before attending ED over bank holiday weekend
East Galway farm sells for €1.3 million
Burkes return home to revel in their local roots
Man prosecuted for building house instead of agricultural storage unit
OPW Minister to meet Council engineers on ‘flawed’ motorway design
Official opening of Galway’s new pedestrian and cycle bridge
