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FarmElder Research Group visits Kerry Social Farming

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Over 80 people came to learn more about social farming at the farm of Michael Joe and Brid Murphy in Slaheny, Kilgarvan in last week.

Farmers, social farming participants, service providers, social farming projects from across Ireland, support services and local representatives were among the large attendance, who heard from a range of speakers about how social farming in Kerry is operating and its potential to expand to assist older people and those living with dementia.
The event, organised by South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) through Kerry Social Farming was part of a visit by FarmElder research group, who are studying the role of social farming for older people at a European level.

Claire McAuliffe (Teagasc Advisor) and members of KSF Working Group, outlined how dairy farms can be ideal venues for social farming. They provide a variety of activities, which change depending on the season. For the benefit of guests, Claire outlined how the dairy farming system works on the Murphy farm and how factors such weather and markets can impact farming life. She noted how farmers and their families provide a welcoming environment for social farming and are conscious of safety as part of their farming operations.

Dr Brendan O’Keeffe (O’Keeffe Research) told the gathering that he is currently completing an Evaluation of KSF and how the growth of the project, which now has 40 active farms and over 60 participants, has been guided by the framework from a previous Evaluation which he and colleagues did in 2017. The potential for social farming for older people is one of a number of new avenues which KSF can follow. He noted the strength of the partnership approach and the advantages of the long-term relationship which develops between host farmer, their family and the participant who comes to their farm.

Anni and Josef Hindelang, who run a social farm in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, shared their story through a video about their farm. Since 2020, they have hosted older people with dementia, their family members and carers on the farm twice a month.

The gathering also heard from Danny Healy-Rae TD and Mayor of Kenmare Municipal District, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen.

The attendance brought together the groups operating social farming across Ireland, with Rachel Budd (IRD Duhallow social farming), Debbie Kelleher (Field of Dreams, Cork) and Eadaoin O’Connell (Social Farming Ireland Development Officer, West Limerick Resources) among the attendance.

More information about the project is on their website www.farmedler.eu and information on Kerry Social Farming can be viewed at www.kerrysocialfarming.ie or by contacting Joseph McCrohan (087) 284 9165 or jmccrohan@skdp.net.

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Irish-language short film award added to film festival

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Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) will return to Killarney from October 16 to 19, and this year’s event will include a new award category – Best Irish Language Short Film.


The new award aims to highlight the growing presence of Irish language filmmaking.


It will be judged by Máire Ní Chonláin, TG4 Commissioning Editor and executive producer of An Cailín Ciúin, which was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Academy Awards.


Ní Chonláin brings decades of experience in commissioning, producing and acquiring both scripted and unscripted content.


She co-commissions drama through TG4’s Cine4, Tús, Céim Eile, and Gealán schemes, and is also behind TG4’s long-running country music programming.


KIFF already presents 10 short film awards each year, including Best of Kerry and Best Documentary Short. The new Irish language award adds further recognition for a growing sector in Irish film.


Submissions for this year’s festival close on July 31 via FilmFreeway.


KIFF is supported by Kerry Airport, The Arts Council of Ireland, Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and a wide range of local businesses.

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Buckley leads National co-drivers’ standings ahead of Sligo Rally

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Buckley leads National co-drivers’ standings ahead of Sligo Rally

Rockfield co-driver Shane Buckley sits at the top of the Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship co-driver standings heading into this Sunday’s Sligo Stages Rally.

Buckley, who was due to partner Sam Moffett in a Hyundai i20 R5 in Sligo claimed fourth overall on the Raven’s Rock Rally two weeks ago — a result that pushed him into the lead of the standings with 61 points after four rounds.

However, the championship allows for dropped scores, and when those are applied, Buckley trails rival Tom Murphy by a single point. Murphy has 50 points to Buckley’s 49, meaning the second half of the season is set up for a close title fight.

Sam is now unavailable for the Sligo Rally but Buckley has teamed up with promising Donegal driver David Kelly in a Volkswagen Polo R5. They placed a late entry and will carry 171 on the doors but will run inside the top ten on Sunday.

Several Kerry crews are also entered for the Sligo Rally this weekend. Mike Quinn and Kieran Doherty return in their familiar Mk2 Escort, running in Class 14. Dave Slattery and Denis Coffey, also in a Mk2 Escort, are entered in Class 13.


Mossie Costello, is entered a Fiesta Rally4 and will contest Class 2.


Eugene Buckley and Aaron Williams complete the Kerry Motor Club representation in a Toyota Starlet (Class 9).


Killarney Co-Drivers in Down Rally
While the focus is on Sligo this weekend, two Killarney co-drivers will be in action on Saturday’s Down Rally.


Elaine Ní Shé is navigating for Richard O’Lone in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, and John McCarthy is on the notes for Banbridge’s John Devlin in a Mk2 Escort.

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