Caroline Allen

Caroline Allen Profile Picture

News Journalist

Caroline Allen is from a farming background in Co. Laois. She studied journalism at the College of Commerce, Rathmines, and lives outside Portlaoise.

Pieta House urges rural isolated to open up on difficulties

Rural Life

Pieta House urges rural isolated to open up on difficulties

Many small farming communities have experienced a rapid change in their way of life – as technology takes over and...
Meet the mother and daughter team who live and farm together

Rural Life

Meet the mother and daughter team who live and farm together

This Mother’s Day mother and daughter team, Patricia and Felicity McGrath, expect to be busy assisting with calving on their...
Students find fashionista inspiration on dairy farm

Rural Life

Students find fashionista inspiration on dairy farm

Three Laois transition year students found inspiration on a dairy farm for their entry in the Junk Kouture competition. The...
Kanturk Mart on song for ‘Rearing for Rickie’ fundraiser

Rural Life

Kanturk Mart on song for ‘Rearing for Rickie’ fundraiser

Renowned musician Liam O’Connor will entertain at the ‘Rearing for Rickie’ fundraising auction in Kanturk Mart, Co. Cork, on Friday,...
Farming is ‘write’ up Longford man’s street

Rural Life

Farming is ‘write’ up Longford man’s street

A Longford man has documented a slice of family farming life in a new book. Journalist, writer, film maker and...
‘It’s not just about the meal’: Delivery service provides contact for rural elderly

Rural Life

‘It’s not just about the meal’: Delivery service provides contact for rural elderly

Farmers and other people living in rural parts of the country were last week delighted to get their meals on...
‘Facilitating social farming helps combat rural isolation’

Rural Life

‘Facilitating social farming helps combat rural isolation’

A national conference on social farming will take place in the Emmaus Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin, on March 23. Those...
‘I’m a woman in a man’s world’: Cattle breeding advisor

Rural Life

‘I’m a woman in a man’s world’: Cattle breeding advisor

“I’m a woman in a man’s world,” acknowledges Deirdre Toal who is a cattle breeding advisor with Progressive Genetics. “Although...
South African farmers seek Irish internships

Rural Life

South African farmers seek Irish internships

An organisation that helps young people – mainly from impoverished rural communities – to become farmers is keen to make...
Galway to host global forum on food, tourism and culture

Rural Life

Galway to host global forum on food, tourism and culture

Farmers and their produce will feature at touRRoir, a cross-sector global forum on food tourism and culture, which will be held...
UCD ag student: ‘Having a plan B ensures life after the Leaving Cert’

Rural Life

UCD ag student: ‘Having a plan B ensures life after the Leaving Cert’

When Martin Farrelly didn’t get enough points to study animal and crop production at UCD, he didn’t despair as he...
Pod company seeks farming partners for ‘glamping’ initiatives

Rural Life

Pod company seeks farming partners for ‘glamping’ initiatives

Many farm families around the country have diversified into ‘glamping’ – glamorous camping – and now a Belfast-based start-up company...
Hearse service offers chance to take machinery passion to the grave

Rural Life

Hearse service offers chance to take machinery passion to the grave

You can’t take it with you, but you can make your beloved tractor – or other vehicle – part of...
Combines 4 Charity: Inspired by Australian farmers; embraced by the Irish tillage sector

Machinery

Combines 4 Charity: Inspired by Australian farmers; embraced by the Irish tillage sector

Inspiration for Combines 4 Charity came to tillage farmer, Philip Brady, from ‘Down Under’. The 32-year-old farmer from Kildalkey, Co....
Volunteers sought by RSPB NI for farmland surveys

Environment

Volunteers sought by RSPB NI for farmland surveys

Do you have a love for nature and a fondness for birds, and can you tell a yellowhammer from a...
Italian work experience students keen to benefit from Irish farmer insights

Rural Life

Italian work experience students keen to benefit from Irish farmer insights

Equipeople, an agricultural work experience organisation based in Co. Laois, is looking for farm families interested in hosting students during...
Farm accident sparked ‘inventive’ new lifestyle

Rural Life

Farm accident sparked ‘inventive’ new lifestyle

After being involved in an horrific farm accident, Richard Weldon took an ‘inventive’ approach to his limitations – creating a...
Galway farmer develops €1 million regional equestrian indoor facility

Rural Life

Galway farmer develops €1 million regional equestrian indoor facility

A love of working horses growing up, and his daughters’ interest in horse riding, prompted returned emigrant Sean O’Connell to...