The Farm Walks partners would like to invite you to a special gathering to share the achievements of the Farm Walks project in Leitrim and Fermanagh.
Farm Walks (est. 2023) is a unique partnership between farmers and artists that has been exploring land, farming, biodiversity, heritage, storytelling, and rural life, supported by Creative Ireland. Bringing together farmers, artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners, the project has demonstrated the rich connections that can emerge when different ways of seeing and understanding the land come together.
On Saturday 10 October, the gathering will include a presentation of the Farm Walks Evaluation Report by Philip Delamere, panel discussions featuring project participants, a first-look presentation of Border Song by Deirdre O’Mahony, and a screening of Land — A Conversation Between Friends, the short film created through the collaboration between artist Helen Sharp and farmer Barry Connolly. Award-winning broadcaster, journalist, and writer on food, farming, and environmental issues, Ella McSweeney, will host the day, introducing speakers and leading the final thoughts session and Q&A.
As the project moves towards the next phase, this is an opportunity to hear directly from participants, share experiences, and explore how creative conversation can contribute to farming, environmental stewardship, rural wellbeing, and community life. The participating farmers are Gerry Bohan, Dolores Byrne, Barry Connolly, Jane Corrigan, Roger Corrigan, and Valerie Irwin. The participating artists are Christine Mackey, Anna McGurn, Steph Saidha, Helen Sharp, and Grace Weir. The project partners are Leitrim County Council, Leitrim Sustainable Agricultural Group, The Dock, and Ulster Wildlife/West Fermanagh Farmers' Cluster.
Left to right: Philip Delamere (Leitrim County Council), Erika Mei Chua Holum (The Dock), Douglas Lonie (TIALT), Grace Weir, Peter Gallagher (Ulster Wildlife), Dolores Byrne, Anna McGurn, Roger Corrigan, Steph Saidha, Jane Corrigan, Christine Mackey, Gerry Bohan, Helen Sharp, Gerry McGourty (Leitrim Sustainable Agricultural Group), Joeleen Lynch (Project Manager), James Madden (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine), Valerie Irwin at Fermanagh House, Enniskillen, 2026.
Bookings
The event begins at 11am and finishes at 4pm. Refreshments and lunch are included with gluten free and vegan options available.
Admission is free and booking is required. Farmers and artists are welcome to bring family members, please book the number of tickets you will need.
If you have any questions or access requirements, you can email Mary Conlon at mary.conlon@leitrimcoco.ie.
Acknowledgements
The Farm Walks project was co-created by Leitrim County Council Arts Office and The Dock with Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group and Ulster Wildlife/West Fermanagh Farmers' Cluster and funded through the Creative Ireland Shared Island Programme. Through the project, the partners aim to build cross-border cooperation, to explore the common ground between farmers and artists, and to highlight shared farming and environmental interests.
