I am an aspiring multimedia journalist from County Roscommon. I began this course with a strong interest in pursuing a career in sports journalism, and while that passion is still there, I have also grown to love the broadcasting side of journalism. I majored in video and I thoroughly enjoyed my time working on my project about young farmers in rural Ireland. It gave me a valuable insight into what it takes to produce quality journalistic content, from research and filming to interviewing and editing.
During my time at TU Dublin, I also gained hands-on experience working on thecity.ie, Clic News and The Liberty. Writing original stories and interviewing sources was daunting at first, but I grew to love it. I have loved my four years in college, but I am now looking forward to entering the field of journalism, continuing to learn, and working hard to build a career in the industry and live my dream.
Rural Ireland: The Young Farmers Holding On
My short documentary Rural Ireland: The Young Farmers Holding On, tells the story of Shane McGuinness and Luke O’Boyle, two young farmers from rural Ireland. It focuses on their love for farming while also exploring the hardships they face.
According to the Central Statistics Office, just 4.3% of farm holders in Ireland are under the age of 35, with the average age of farm holders aged 59. It’s a stark figure that shows the lack of young people pursuing the career.
Luke and Shane share the highs and lows of farm life, their first memories on the farm and why they believe young farmers are becoming a rare sight. During the editing process, Irelands farmers and hauliers took to roads across the country to protest the rising fuel prices. This led me back to Shane and Luke’s farms to hear their thoughts and the effects the fuel costs were having on their farms. Working on this documentary opened my eyes to what life is like for the people who work our land. I hope you enjoy it and get a better understanding of what it means to be a young farmer in Ireland today.
