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.

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.

Aisling is from a farming background in Co. Longford. She holds a National Dip in Journalism & Media Communications from Griffith College Dublin and is currently working towards a BA (Hons) in Law at AIT. Aisling worked with the Longford News from 2006-2007 and then as a journalist with the Longford Leader from 2007-2018. She was nominated for a Local Ireland Media Award in 2017. Aisling has written on all aspects of farming and rural life in Co. Longford and across the midlands region.

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.

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.

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 graduated from UCD in 2013, with a degree in Animal and Crop Production. He has gained valuable experience and knowledge in many agricultural industries across the world - New Zealand, Australia, UK, France and Ireland. He has particular interest in the dairy, beef and machinery sectors.

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.

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.

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.