A group who attended the Farmers Haggart meeting in Borrisoleigh. They decided to establish a Haggart group to address loneliness and growing isolation in rural farming life.

‘Farmers Haggart’ group set up in Borrisoleigh

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A WONDERFUL sense of warmth and community filled Borrisoleigh Parish Hall last Wednesday night as the Farmers Haggart event, co-hosted by Irish Rural Link’s Farm Safety Community Champion for County Tipperary, Mary Oakley and the New Futures Farming Group, took place to establish a new local Farmers Haggart branch.

The initiative is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of a nationwide effort to address growing isolation and loneliness in rural farming life.

The Farmers Haggart movement encourages a return to the long-held tradition of neighbours calling to one another’s yard or Haggart for a chat, a bit of help or simply time shared.

Once a natural cornerstone of farming life, this spirit has faded in many areas and the initiative aims to help rebuild those vital social connections.

Mary Oakley expressed her delight at the turnout. “I was absolutely thrilled to see 38 people gather with such openness and goodwill,” she said. “The sense of community in the room was something very special.” Mary extended heartfelt thanks to New Futures for partnering on the event and for their continued support in community farming initiatives.

SPEAKERS

Speakers on the night included Catherine Guest and Seán O’Farrell of New Futures Farming Group, along with Catherine Kennelly and Brian Rohan of Embrace FARM.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Jim of the Mill, who spoke warmly about community spirit and closed the night with three songs, including a beautiful duet with his daughter Gretta.

Sincere thanks are also given to Councillor Willie Kennedy, Councillor Joe Hannigan and Councillor Michael O’Meara for attending and expressing their full support for the initiative.

Appreciation is extended to Sylvia, Geraldine and Fiona for their gorgeous home baking, and to Majella and Geraldine for their invaluable help on the night.

With one Farmers Haggart group already formed and five more areas showing strong interest, the evening marked a hopeful and heartening step towards rebuilding community bonds across rural Ireland.

INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED

Setting up a Farmers Haggart group in your parish is very straightforward and starts with a local meeting.

If you’d like to see a Farmers Haggart Group in your Parish please contact Farm Safety Community Champion  for Co Tipperary, Mary Oakley, on 086-063 1912 or Visit https://www.farmers4safety.ie/ .

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