From traditions and community to having a real love for the land, what keeps Ireland’s farmers going in 2026?
For many, farming goes far beyond being simply a job. It is a way of life often passed down from generation to generation, one that can become deeply rooted in a family’s sense of identity.
And for these families, the days, months and years they pour into their farms play a vital role in society – supplying food, sustaining rural communities and supporting the wider economy.
Nicola Fetherstone, who works closely with farmers as an Agri Advisor with the AIB Agri Advisor Team, champions farmers and says they deserve a huge amount of recognition.
“I may be slightly biased coming from a farming background, but I do believe that farmers deserve more recognition for the level of work and the commitment that they put into producing food for not only the country but for the world. We export 90pc plus of our product, going all across Europe and further afield.”
As a shopper, it’s easy to focus on the food on supermarket shelves, but behind the scenes Ireland relies on the expertise, planning and long hours put in by the farmers who keep it all moving.
For Katie Gleeson, after meeting her husband Philip and becoming part of the day-to-day operations of the family farm, she gained a deeper understanding of how much goes into running a modern farm business; a lot more than meets the eye.
“People have a very pastoral view of farming, that it’s cows out in the field, but as I became involved in the farm business and I saw the different aspects that were involved with running a farm, I was really curious, really interested. I just get a lot of job satisfaction from being a farmer, you know, producing food, feeding not only Ireland, but Europe as well. There’s great satisfaction to doing a job that means a lot to society.”
While food production is at the core of what many farmers do, maintaining the land for the future is what keeps generations connected and working together.
In County Kerry, Séaghan Ó Súilleabháin, also known online as The Kerry Cowboy, says that the long-standing farming tradition of meitheal still exists today.
“Something that often gets forgotten in farming is the community aspect. We’re very lucky that here in Kerry, the spirit of the meitheal still survives. The word meitheal means a group of people coming together to get a job done where no payment is exchanged. But even today, with the machines, you still have every kind of age helping, neighbours helping.”
While farming practices have changed over the years thanks to modern technology and techniques, neighbourly camaraderie remains intact. People gather around their kitchen tables at all hours of the day and night across Ireland to share their knowledge, and communities can rely on each other to come together during both good and bad times.
Nicola sees this support network first-hand through her work with farming families across the country.
“As an AIB agri-advisor, going out and visiting farms and building up that relationship, they identify us as somewhere that can offer support to them. You definitely see everyone rallying together in times of need; if things go wrong, your neighbours and friends are always there in a community like this.”
Nicola also says that agricultural organisations and local events provide great opportunities for farmers to connect and learn from one another.
“There’s great incentives in terms of agricultural organisations, even agricultural shows and a day out to go and meet other like-minded farmers.”
The life skills gained through years spent on a farm can stretch far beyond the fence lines. In farming, challenges are inevitable, from the oh-so-lovely unpredictability of Irish weather to market fluctuations that feel completely out of our control. Success on the farm often depends on the ability to adapt to whatever life throws at you.
Katie believes optimism and resilience are two of the most important lessons she has learned over the years. “What farming’s taught me is to be an optimist, because to be a farmer you have to be an optimist; it teaches you resilience, and that you have to keep going no matter the challenges, you have to keep going for yourself, for the animals and for the land.”
Caring for animals and managing land requires long-term thinking and a sense of deep connection. The dedication it takes – missed nights out with friends and family, skipped holidays, and, of course, everyone knows that cows still need to be milked on Christmas days – means that farming can often feel like it’s become part of a person’s identity, and the love of farming is what keeps it all moving forward. For Séaghan, this rings true.
“No matter where I go in life, no matter what I do, I always want agriculture in some form to be a part of it. You know, there’s just something about the animals, about the land, that I just can’t walk away from.”
Having access to support along the way is important for many farmers. From financial advice to guidance on succession, the AIB Agri Advisor team understand the realities of agricultural life and can provide practical advice tailored to each farm.
As Nicola explains, “We have a dedicated team of agri-advisors located all across the country. These agri-advisors come from farming backgrounds; they have agricultural degrees, and they have a wealth of knowledge on the ground for the support you’re after.”
Together, farmers, advisors, and rural communities are keeping one of Ireland’s most vital industries going. Behind every field, herd, and harvest are people whose commitment and connection to the land help sustain not only us here at home, but communities around the world.
AIB’s Agri Advisor Team is based across the country, and they work to support farming customers toward a more sustainable future. AIB Agri Advisors provide strong, objective farm financial and technical analysis on individual farm cases as needed.
To find out more, visit the AIB website here.