Ballyhoura Development officially kicked off the first of its 2026 Informative Talks last Friday as part of the recently launched Farm Forward Succession & Generational Renewal Service.
The event, held at the Deebert House Hotel, focused on farm succession, wills, and future planning - themes that have repeatedly emerged as urgent priorities during one-to-one engagements with farmers and farm families across the Ballyhoura region. The Farm Forward: Connecting Generations and Farming for the Future initiative, which commenced on 31 October 2025, is designed to support farmers, farm families, and prospective farmers to plan proactively for succession, diversification, and the long-term sustainability of family farms.
The event was opened by Amanda Slattery, Development Manager with Ballyhoura Development, followed by James O’Donnell, Chair of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and Ballyhoura Development Board Member. An overview of the Farm Forward programme was presented by Carrie O’Donoghue, Farm Forward Succession & Generational Renewal Coach. Each speaker highlighted the importance of early engagement, open conversations, and access to trusted professional advice when planning for the future of the family farm.
Ballyhoura Development was delighted to welcome two guest speakers on the morning: Clare O’Keeffe, Succession Facilitator with Succession Ireland, and Jacquelyn Dunne, Solicitor at Dunnes Solicitors and creator of The Journey, a peace-of-mind estate planning journal. Both speakers provided practical, accessible insights into farm succession, wills, and the value of planning ahead without delay to avoid uncertainty and provide peace of mind.
More than 75 farmers and members of farm families attended the event, travelling from across the wider Ballyhoura area, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Commenting after the event, Carrie O’Donoghue said:
“This informative talk series is informed by, and responding directly to, very real needs emerging through the Farm Forward service. The strong attendance and engagement clearly demonstrate the level of support farmers and farm families are seeking. We sincerely thank the professional speakers who joined us and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with experts and partners for the benefit of our farming community throughout Ballyhoura.”
Due to popular demand, the next Farm Forward informative talks will focus on Taxation and Collaborative Farming Arrangement options, with dates to be announced shortly.
Updates will be shared via Ballyhoura Development’s social media channels and at www.ballyhouradevelopment.com.
How to Access the Service:
Farmers can arrange an appointment at any of Ballyhoura Development’s offices in Kilfinane, Kilmallock, Mitchelstown, Charleville, and Cappamore. Meetings can also take place at neutral venues or online via Zoom/Teams.
Contact:
Carrie O’Donoghue – Farm Succession & Generational Renewal Coach
M: 086 1708722
E: codonoghue@ballyhoura.org
The Farm Forward project is part of the European Innovative Partnerships (EIP) initiative co-funded by the European Commission and the Irish Government under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
