RTÉ series Saol na Feirme returns following farming families across Ireland

Somhairle Matthews in the Glens of Antrim

Saol na Feirme returns to RTÉ for a second series this week!

The Irish language series offers an insight into the lives of seven farming families across Ireland as they try to navigate the unpredictable challenges of the past year. 

Shot in some of Ireland’s most picturesque rural landscapes in Armagh, Antrim, Clare, Galway, Laois and Roscommon, Saol na Feirme delves into the challenges facing farmers today, and the determination required to sustain these vital businesses. 

Recent extreme weather has pushed many farmers to their limits. The series explores how these dedicated families are adapting to face these problems head-on, ensuring their farms remain viable while safeguarding the environment and their heritage for future generations.  

Episode one meets several Irish farmers as they cope with one of the wettest springs in over a decade.

David Walsh-Kemmis' farm in Stradbally, Laois has been in his family since 1639. David recognised the need to diversify in order to sustain its future and has been running a brewery using their homegrown barley on the farm since 2018. 

Matty Carroll

In the lowlands of Roscommon, sheep farmer Matty Carroll tends to 120 ewes. He has a deep respect for tradition and the land, which was passed down from his father and grand uncle.

Siobhán Ní Gháirbhith, St. Tola Farm

Siobhán Ní Gháirbhith, owner of St.Tola Farm in Clare cares for 200 goats using sustainable farming practices. On-site, they craft over ten varieties of award-winning St Tola Goats Cheese. 

Fifteen-year-old Eleanor McCann from Armagh works alongside her father and sister on their family run beef and sheep farm and butchery, while young student Somhairle Mathers is balancing a busy life on his family's cattle farm in the Glens of Antrim with his university studies at ATU Letterkenny, Donegal. Somhairle represents a new generation of mindful farming who are prioritising natural methods. 

Saol na Feirme, series two returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 24th February at 8.30pm. 

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Tá Saol na Feirme ar ais ar RTÉ Léirítear tábhacht agus cultúr na feirmeoirí in Éirinn sa tsraith

Tá Saol na Feirme ar ais ar RTÉ agus tabharfar léargas ceart sa dara sraith ar sheacht dteaghlach feirmeoireachta fud fad an oileáin.

Tabharfar léargas freisin ar na dúshláin atá roimh fheirmeoirí a bhíonn ag plé le réimse gnólachtaí sa tsraith nua seo, gnólachtaí curaíochta, déiríochta, mairteola, caorach agus glasraí ina measc. Tá ceantair ghalánta in Ard Mhacha, Aontroim, an Clár, Gaillimh, Laois agus Ros Comáin ina gcúlra ag an obair seo ar fad.

Is iomaí dúshlán atá tagtha chun cinn ar fheirmeacha na hÉireann le 12 mhí anuas. Níor stop sé ag báisteach san earrach agus ba é an samhradh ab fhuaire é le breis is deich mbliana. Is iomaí feirmeoir a bhí nach mór i ndeireadh na feide. Feicimid an chaoi a gcuireann na teaghlaigh dhíograiseacha seo a gcuid nósanna in oiriúint chun dul i ngleic leis na fadhbanna sin lena chinntiú go bhfuil a gcuid feirmeacha inmharthana agus go bhfuil an timpeallacht agus a n-oidhreacht á gcosaint acu ag an am céanna do na glúnta atá le teacht.

Ní hamháin go dtaispeántar fírinne na feirmeoireachta ó lá go lá sa tsraith seo, léirítear dúthracht agus díograis na ndaoine seo a thugann faoi na gnólachtaí bunriachtanacha seo chomh maith. De bharr na géarchéime aeráide, bhí ar fheirmeoirí dul ag obair ar thionscadail nuálacha lena bhfeirmeacha a choimeád beo, agus iad ag caomhnú na dtraidisiún atá fréamhaithe i stair a muintire.

Suite i roinnt de na ceantair thuaithe is áille in Éirinn, aimsíonn Saol na Feirme an chothromaíocht idir áilleacht nádúrtha na talún agus an fhírinne lom a bhaineann le beatha a shaothrú aisti.

Craolfar an dara sraith de Saol na Feirme ar an 24 Feabhra, 2025 ag 8:30pm ar RTÉ One agus beidh sí ar fáil ar an RTÉ Player chomh maith.