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.

How to cope with farming burnout

Rural Life

How to cope with farming burnout

With more farmers experiencing burnout, writer and dairy farmer Lorna Sixsmith – herself a victim – found that taking a...
UK university to showcase robotic-grown spring barley

Tillage

UK university to showcase robotic-grown spring barley

Move over robotic milking – the focus is now on growing and harvesting cereal crops remotely. Members of Harper Adams...
Farmhouse B&B bookings rise 40% in first quarter

Rural Life

Farmhouse B&B bookings rise 40% in first quarter

Farmhouse accommodation bookings are up 40% and revenue has increased 51% over the first quarter of this year, according to B&B...
Water pipeline consultation report expected this summer

Rural Life

Water pipeline consultation report expected this summer

Recording, responding to and analysing submissions to the fourth public consultation on the proposed East and Midlands Water Supply Project,...
Silvermines inter-agency group holds first meeting

Rural Life

Silvermines inter-agency group holds first meeting

The Inter-Agency Group formed in the wake of the Silvermines cattle poisoning case held its first meeting on Wednesday last,...
Four-day Balmoral Show aims to find favour with the punters

Rural Life

Four-day Balmoral Show aims to find favour with the punters

This year’s Balmoral Show, which will run from May 10 to 13, has attracted an increase in many livestock sectors...
IFA ‘talk and walk’ initiative gets underway

Rural Life

IFA ‘talk and walk’ initiative gets underway

Bureaucracy; financial strain; unpredictable weather; and unannounced Department of Agriculture inspections are among the issues that can cause anxiety among...
Monaghan farmer: ‘Robotic milking is more relaxed’

Dairy

Monaghan farmer: ‘Robotic milking is more relaxed’

A Monaghan dairy farmer is reaping the rewards from his decision to install a milking robot on his dairy farm...
Wexford man brings home the bacon with latest award

Rural Life

Wexford man brings home the bacon with latest award

Fresh from winning the meats award at Georgina Campbell’s Irish Breakfast Awards 2017, Pat O’Neill has yet again brought home...
Heritage grants to be issued to GLAS farmer applicants

CAP / Schemes

Heritage grants to be issued to GLAS farmer applicants

A total of 318 applications were received for the 2017 – Tranche II – GLAS grants for farm building repairs,...
‘Charolais’ – the cow-themed drama – now on in Dublin Theatre

Rural Life

‘Charolais’ – the cow-themed drama – now on in Dublin Theatre

Farmers who fancy a cultural experience with an agricultural theme should check out the play ‘Charolais’. ‘Charolais’ is running at The...
Is robotic milking the future for Irish dairy farming?

Dairy

Is robotic milking the future for Irish dairy farming?

Against a backdrop of long hours and difficulty sourcing labour, a growing number of Irish dairy farmers are turning to...
Diversification is child’s play for midlands farm

Rural Life

Diversification is child’s play for midlands farm

A creche; a play centre and pet farm; and a Bogathon course, Lisduff Adventure Farm in Errill, Co. Laois, blazes...
Clean-up no ‘picnic’ for Stradbally sheep farmer

Rural Life

Clean-up no ‘picnic’ for Stradbally sheep farmer

Imagine having 55,000 revellers party their days and nights away on your land over the course of a weekend –...
Call for night care facilities for elderly in rural areas

Rural Life

Call for night care facilities for elderly in rural areas

Night care facilities would go a long way towards alleviating the concerns of elderly farmers and other rural dwellers, many...
Farm Relief Services highlights critical labour shortage

Rural Life

Farm Relief Services highlights critical labour shortage

Irish dairy farming is facing a critical shortage of trained, skilled and adaptable workers to meet the ambitious development targets...
‘Strong US interest in Irish rural properties’

Other

‘Strong US interest in Irish rural properties’

There is strong demand from the US for Irish country homes and farms, according to Philip Guckian, Manager, Sherry FitzGerald...
Leenane farmer opts for twin wheels on his quad to avoid further heartache

Rural Life

Leenane farmer opts for twin wheels on his quad to avoid further heartache

“I don’t know anyone who has had a quad bike who hasn’t fallen off it.” That’s how a former IFA...