Inspiring Mayo celebration of women in agriculture and rural communities
A DAY of inspiring speakers, farmer panel discussions and conversations has celebrated the contribution of women to Irish agriculture and rural communities.
A full house gathered at Mulranny Park Hotel for the ACRES West Connacht Women in Agriculture Conference, bringing together women from across farming and rural communities for a day of discussion, inspiration and connection.
The free event celebrated the contribution of women to agriculture, while creating space for attendees to share experiences, explore the challenges facing women in the sector and discuss opportunities for the future.
Among the speakers was MEP Maria Walsh, who addressed attendees online and highlighted the need for greater recognition of women's roles in agriculture.
“The future of farming cannot be separated from the participation, leadership and visibility of women in this sector,” she said.
Walsh highlighted the barriers that women continue to face, pointing to the gap between women's contributions to agricultural work and their formal recognition as farm holders. She stressed the importance of recognising women as equal partners in the sector.
The conference featured a packed programme of speakers, panel discussions and networking sessions, offering attendees a wealth of insights, inspiration and opportunities to connect.
Dr. Belinda Vigors explored the history and evolving role of women in Irish agriculture, while Blatnaid Gallagher of Galway Wool Co-op shared her inspiring story and highlighted the importance of building visibility and networks.
Two panel discussions gave attendees the opportunity to hear directly from women working across the sector. The first panel focused on the importance of building networks and connections, featuring Mary McAndrew of ACRES West Connacht, Jazmine Williams, farmer and digital content creator, and Claire Brennan of Making Farms Work for Women EIP. The discussion was moderated by Aoife Murphy of ACRES West Connacht.
The second panel explored the experiences, challenges and opportunities of being a woman in agriculture, with contributions from Danielle Gallagher, Lisa Begley and Maureen O’Neill. The discussion was moderated by Lorraine Hope of ACRES West Connacht.
Both discussions prompted questions and contributions from the audience, encouraging further conversation and the sharing of experiences.
The packed programme also featured an industry stand exhibition, showcasing organisations and businesses supporting and working in the agricultural sector, alongside a mindset reset workshop led by Tara Rafter of The Navigation Coach.
The day concluded with a closing address from Mary McAndrew, project director of ACRES West Connacht, who acknowledged the importance of bringing women together to share knowledge, experiences and perspectives, and to recognise their valuable contribution to the future of farming and rural Ireland.
The strong turnout and engaging discussions highlighted the value of creating opportunities for women in agriculture to connect, learn from one another and celebrate their role in shaping the future of the sector.
ACRES West Connacht extended thanks to everyone who attended, the speakers and panellists who generously shared their experiences, and all those who helped make the event such a success.