Carbery’s 6^th annual event focusing on farmer welfare was a celebration of the positive aspects of farming, along with insights on mindset, performance and overcoming adversity from two panels.

On the night, RTE star Marty Morrissey, in typically lively style, opened the event, which took place at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery. Speaking to the audience of Carbery farmer shareholders and their families, he revealed his strong family connections to Cork.

Marty chaired a panel of Carbery farmers including Marguarite Crowley, John Cullinane, Denis O’Donovan and Lawrence Sexton where they discussed how they maintain a positive outlook while farming, balancing family and farm life, and their advice for anyone currently struggling.

Panellists shared their advice on how to motivate the farmers of the future, with John stating “the farming sector needs to make sure that our own kids feel that it’s not just OK to farm, it is something to be very proud of – and that pride has to come from us”. Marguerite shared her goal with her own five children is “cultivating a positive mindset in myself and then cultivating that in the young people.” All agreed on the importance of surrounding yourself with good people – family, friends and neighbours, and being that person for someone else, as well as the importance of sharing your problems with others and keeping perspective.

This was followed by an Olympic sports star panel, consisting of Rob Heffernan (Olympic race-walker), Marian Heffernan (4x400m relay Olympian), and Nicola Tuthill, who made her Olympic debut last year in Paris in the hammer-throw competition, and whose family is one of the 1200 suppliers to Carbery. This panel shared their stories of their journey to sporting excellence, lessons learning along the way, as well as tips on overcoming mental blocks, prioritising nutrition and the importance of planning. Rob had useful advice for farmers headings into the busiest time of the year, likening it to his yearly altitude training “You know it’s going to be hard, but you also know you will get through it – normalise the miserable! And reward yourself when it’s over.”

The event coincided with the announcement of Carbery’s support for ‘Make the Moove’, a nationwide initiative from Macra na Feirme that provides support and guidance to those in farming and rural communities. The helpline, which is run by professionals, offers empathetic, tailored assistance and advice on accessing additional resources, including community services.

The event also showcased a project from Lucy Kirby, Niamh O’ Sullivan, Ellen O’ Neill and Ciara O’ Driscoll, students from Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty who are finalists in the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition. The competition aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus brand while educating students about the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers. 

Carbery Chair Vincent O’Donovan stated “We had to postpone this event last week due to Storm Eowyn, and I’m so glad we were able to go ahead with it this week. It’s so important to give farmers a boost and some positive energy coming into this time of the year, and after a difficult year in 2024. Marty and our guests certainly delivered that. There are great aspects to farming and it’s important that we remind ourselves and everyone else of them. If we are not proud of what we do how can we expect others to be?”

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