Traditional Farming

08/14/20 • 30 min

Connecting Through Heritage with Leitrim County Council

Contributors

John Reynolds has had an interest in the farming methods used by his ancestors since he learned them from his grandfather as a young boy. He takes us through the traditional way of sowing and harvesting perhaps the most historically important crop in Leitrim: the potato.

Tommy Earley has been farming his family’s plot on the shores of Lough Allen for many years. When he first learned about organic farming in 1996, he didn’t know much about it - but what he heard he liked. He’s since ‘gone organic,’ and has adopted a number of new working practices to the farm, such as introducing new habitats and conserving existing ones.

Contributors

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Ecology

Contributors

Neil Foulkes has made a 30-year career out of hedge laying, and is an advocate for their maintenance. He knows all about the essential role hedgerows play in providing shelter and nourishment for wildlife in the county. He’s also in awe of their beauty, especially in Leitrim; and calls the Irish landscape a ‘wonder of the world.’

Kate Bismilla is an ecologist working with the Irish Breeding Curlew EIP, which has been set up to address the decline of breeding curlew in Ireland. The curlew is a bird that mates for life, and around its South Leitrim breeding grounds, Kate’s pioneering project works alongside farmers to help protect curlew pairs.

Annie Birtwistle and her family have farmed their plot of land at Battlebridge on the Leitrim-Roscommon border for 24 years. They’ve had great success in running a productive farm, while farming with conservational principles in mind. Annie’s family see themselves as ‘stewards of the land’; their farm is teeming with an abundance of habitats.

Next Episode

Leitrim Memory Meitheals - Drumsna Part One

"Two heads are better than one” and when you have four heads working together, the possibilities are endless. In this special double episode, we delve into the charming village of Drumsna and its surrounding areas. Join us as we hear from four esteemed residents who have deep roots in the community.

Colleen Guckian, a longtime resident since the 1950s, shares her wealth of knowledge about the village. Fr. Francis Garvey, who grew up in Garvey's public house and now serves as the parish priest of Drumsna, offers a unique perspective on the village's history. Noel Duignan, whose family has been involved in the grocery and pub trade in Drumsna for generations, gives insights into the village's evolution. Lastly, Ella Gannon, a dedicated community member for many years, shares her experiences of Drumsna, its characters and its changing landscape. The fabulous four bring us through the streets of Drumsna, giving a detailed picture of life in and around the village from the 1950s to the present day. From tales of ceilí-ing to tales of arson – this is one not to be missed! (Part 1 of 2)