Meet the Team Behind AgriLand

Jim Breen is from a farming background. He studied Engineering in UCD. He worked for agricultural media outlets and, most recently, was the mechanisation advisor for DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) and an engineering programme manager at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise). He now lives in Offaly.

Claire Mc Cormack is from an agricultural background in Westmeath. She holds a BA from Maynooth University, an M.Phil from TCD and an MA in Journalism from DCU. She was awarded the ‘Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship’ 2013-2014. Claire writes on all aspects of farming and rural life. Formerly, she worked as rural affairs correspondent at Irish Independent/Farming Independent, and as a reporter at Sunday Independent. She is currently doing an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development at UCD. Claire was awarded 'Best Online' in the digital category at the Guild of Agricultural Journalism Awards 2018.

Hayley graduated from UCD in 2013 with a BA in English and Art History. In 2016, she graduated from UCLan (UK) with an MA in Publishing. Currently, she provides content quality control and writes on up-to-date agricultural property for sale.

Sylvester Phelan holds a Masters of Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from UCD as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history (also from UCD), and the Green Cert. He is from a dairy farm in Co. Laois, where he works on the weekends.

Siobhán Walsh is from a tillage and beef farm in Co. Laois. She recently completed a PhD, investigating soil nitrogen supply from Irish tillage land, from UCD. She previously completed a masters in crop science and a degree in Animal and Crop Production. The qualified pesticide advisor also worked as a part-time sports reporter for almost seven years with The Laois Nationalist and completed an internship with the Irish Farmers Journal.

Rachel Martin specialises in writing about agri-business, food production and dairying. Previously, she worked as a business reporter at one of Northern Ireland’s biggest daily newspapers. In 2017 she was named one of IFAJ's 10 Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism. She is currently secretary of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Northern Ireland. When she’s not writing, Rachel can usually be found in the milking parlour at home in Co. Down with her family's 130 cows.

Niall is the beef specialist with AgriLand. The University College Dublin (UCD) graduate took up this post in September 2017. In this position, Niall covers technical and news content - at both a national and international level. Hailing from an agricultural background, he is involved in the running of a suckler farm in Westmeath. He also sits on the management team of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf-to-Beef Programme. Along with hands-on knowledge here in Ireland, Niall has significant experience in the international agricultural industry - in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and France. During his time in UCD, he travelled to New Zealand as part of his Professional Work Experience, gaining valuable knowledge on a dairy enterprise extending over 2,700ha. Upon finishing his degree in UCD, Niall travelled to Australia where he managed a large-scale beef enterprise. He also participated in sowing and harvesting for a season where he operated a wide range of machinery. When Niall returned home, he took up a position with Liffey Meats, working at their Ballyjamesduff site and also in France. Niall is also a council member of the Irish Grassland Association (IGA).

Charles studied History and Politics, and later Journalism, at NUI Galway between 2011 and 2016. He has had stints with the Sunday Business Post and DMG Media Ireland. Charles has a farming background, growing up on a suckler herd farm in east Co. Clare.

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

Richard Halleron is an agricultural chemist by background. He is a past chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science and has also served as Chairman of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Northern Ireland.

Breifne O’Brien hails from a suckler, beef and sheep farm in Co. Cavan. He studied Agri-Environmental Science in UCD. During his college years, he presented an agri-focused radio show on Belfield FM called 'Keepin' it Country'. In addition to his knowledge and passion for Irish agriculture, he also recently gained extensive international experience through time spent working on a 4,500-cow dairy farm in South Dakota in the US.

Michael comes from a beef background in Co.Galway with a keen interest in the beef and sheep sectors. He recently graduated from UCD with a degree in Animal Science and was the auditor of the UCD Agriculture Society in 2018/19 where €65,000 was raised for charity. He has gained valuable experience across the agriculture industry, working on progressive sheep and beef farms whilst also working on a large scale dairy farm in the US.