A west Kerry farmer’s passion and talent for photography has provided the inspiration for a charity calendar being launched on the Dingle Peninsula this weekend.
All of the proceeds from the calendar, entitled “A farmer’s year in Corca Dhuibne”, will be donated to Friends of West Kerry Community Hospital.
Dinny Galvin, a dairy farmer from Lispole, told Agriland that the idea for the calendar came about just last week when he shared some of his images in a local WhatsApp group who became connected through the Dingle Hub.
“I take a lot of photographs, it’s just a hobby, I use my phone. I’ve always loved art, it’s just something that’s there. If I see a nice bit of scenery, farm animals and different things, I’d always take a snap,” he said.
Photography
The group was so impressed by Dinny’s photographs that they volunteered their time to put together the charity calendar.
They were spoiled for choice as Dinny, who is the agriculture liaison officer at Dingle Hub, had captured over 160 images to choose from.
“I think you could print another two calendars to be honest,” he laughed.
The selected images chart farming life throughout the seasons on the Dingle Peninsula, including landscapes and livestock.
While some of the pictures were taken on Dinny’s own farm, others were captured while he was on the road working as an artificial insemination (AI) technician.
Dinny noted that just one image in the calendar includes people – two older farmers who he came across setting potatoes in a field who agreed to have their photo taken.
“There’s one [photo] of the two guys, they’re two lovely characters with a grey Ferguson tractor back in Baile Mór. I was delivering AI straws and these two lads were in the field with the tractor, setting potatoes and it took me back 30 or 40 years to my youth.
“I just couldn’t resist, I had to run to the van for the phone and came back and asked could I take a photograph and they said okay,” he said.
The calendar, which went to the printers on Wednesday, was designed by Deanna O’Connor, while Tanya Moore from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and young entrepreneur James Greaney also loaned their time and skills to the project.
Kerry Dairy Ireland and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) contributed towards the cost of printing the calendar.
Charity
Friends of West Kerry Community Hospital aims to assist in improving the quality of life of residents in the community hospital in Dingle.
The group helps to provide engaging activities and purchasing products that may not be readily available through the health service.
They also will work closely with healthcare professionals and staff at West Kerry Community Hospital to identify specific needs and requirements of the residents.
This year, the charity supplied and installed multiple smart speakers and three smart televisions in the hospital.
The charity calendar is now available for sale locally on the Dingle Peninsula. For those living outside of the area it can be purchased online through the Friends of West Kerry Community Hospital website.
Dinny, who continues to add to his photograph collection, is already looking ahead to next year and suggested that other farmers on the peninsula could be asked to submit photos for another calendar.