Monaghan man David McKearney, who is an escort at this year's Rose of Tralee, is one of a growing number of part-time farmers in this country.

Suckler and sheep farming alongside his parents, Brendan and Elizabeth, McKearney has a day job in pesticide regulation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Backweston, Co. Kildare.

He said: "I was always encouraged to get a job and farm part-time.

"I did agricultural science in UCD (University College Dublin) and a master's degree in MTU (Munster Technological University) in Kerry.

"My father is farming actively so the arrangement works well."

With 350 cattle and around 100 sheep, there's plenty of work involved.

"It's all spring calving. It's seasonal but intense when you're lambing and calving and working as well," said the Monaghan man, who is sponsored by the Nest Box Egg Company, Lurganmore, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.

"I'm strategic with my leave. In spring I take a week or two off.

A member of Three Parishes Macra, McKearney played football with the local team in the past but gave it up due to time constraints.

"I do some running. Last year I completed my first marathon. I've intentions of doing more of that," he said.

Rose of Tralee

McKearney is making time to take part in the Rose of Tralee festival.

He said: "A friend of mine was an escort last year and had the time of his life. He couldn't recommend it highly enough.

"He told me to get my application in and I was lucky enough to be called for interview and selected as one of 32 escorts."

According to McKearney, he has "loved every minute of it so far".

He explained: "We only spent two-and-a-half days at boot camp but you would swear it was a lifetime.

"Our phones were taken off us and there was a digital detox. It forced us to bond.

McKearney added though that the festival is really "all about the Roses", and he is "delighted" to be part of it.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting the Roses and getting the opportunity to be part of the festival," he said.