'You hear horror stories' - Farming family shares their succession story on RTÉ tonight

A well known Laois farming family have shared their own tale of succession, as part of the latest episode of RTÉ's farming television series Ear To The Ground. 

Liam Delaney

Liam Delaney, who took part in the programme, runs his family's farm in Derrygarron, Portlaoise. 

He said, "I got a call two months ago asking me to take part, to talk about the seriousness of farm succession. It's a massive issue, of farms not being passed on in time. You have people in nursing homes then, the state won't pay for them, it puts a burden on siblings.

"The horror stories you hear. If someone is working on the farm since they were 15, but they can't make decisions or drive on the farm, it's no good to you at the age of 55. There is a fear of marriages breaking up but you still have to take the chance. You have to have a son or daughter to leave it to. You can't take it with you." 

He continued: "I am lucky in the position I'm in. My parents Jim and Frances were very progressive, and my grandparents before them. They signed over the farm so there's no arguments when they're gone. We make decisions jointly still, I respect their opinion and they are a great help with the farm and the children, they're very active and I'm very lucky. 

"I have four children aged from 16 to seven, two boys and two girls, and it's the youngest girl showing the most interest. 

"I just wanted to get the word out to get your affairs in order and look into it." 

Ear to the Ground says that with Ireland's farm population growing older, many remain concerned about determining who will inherit the land and, just as crucially, when this transition will occur. This subject is often shrouded in silence.

Presenter Maeve Dineen will delve into the story of the Delaney family in Laois, who have successfully navigated their farm's future. However, for numerous others, such resolutions appear elusive. 

To explore this further, Maeve also attends the Dairy Woman Ireland Conference in Co Kildare, seeking insights and discovering how many have already set their succession plans in motion.

Also on the Ear to the Ground programme, Darragh is in Tipperary with a man who looks after the hoofs of some of the world's most valuable horses and Ella is in the Mahrees in Kerry meeting a vegetable farmer unsure if he has a future in the business.

Programme 8 airs on Thursday, January 11 2024 on RTÉ One at 7pm. It is repeated on Sunday, January 13 at 1.10pm.