We’ll be talking about Vicky Phelan in the car on the way home and for a long time after this conference.” These were the words of Ann Kehoe from Tipperary as she left the Women & Agriculture Conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo last Thursday. Certainly not a sound could be heard when Vicky took to the stage to talk about the days and weeks that led up to her famous court case in April of last year, when she refused to allow a cover up of her incorrect smear results that subsequently, led to the development of her terminal cancer.
Vicky Phelan urged women in the farming community to be supportive of each other when life throws curveballs. \ Philip Doyle
However, that was just part of her story and the importance of visits to the doctors was a key message that she wanted to get across to our audience.
“We all know our own bodies, we know what’s right and in our hearts, we know when something is out of the ordinary. If there is any message that I want to get across today, it’s to act fast when you know something is wrong.”
The approach of setting up a women’s farming support group was also a topic shared by Vicky.
“From a farming community, I know that farming women face a unique set of situations where the only other people that understand are those in farming circles. We need to be supportive of each other because unfortunately, life can throw us curveballs where we are faced with challenges that we couldn’t even anticipate.”
It was no surprise when Vicky received a standing ovation from the audience.
The crowd got the party kickstarted at the banquet the evening before the conference.
Another journey
Another woman who brought the attendees to their feet was Trisha Lewis as she talked about her journey to “beat the bulge”. The Limerick woman who started her weight-loss journey at 26 stone spoke about the defining moments that led to her dropping seven stone and her commitment to drop seven more.
Trisha Lewis spoke about her weight-loss journey and how she intends to “beat the bulge”.
“I actually typed up a text message to my sister saying to give up on me, that I was a lost cause. But after typing it, I threw the phone across the room, put on my runners and went to a nearby gym crying for help.”
While her story was touching, Trisha is a woman with a great sense of humour and had the conference roaring with laugher as she came out with phrases such as “you can’t get the ass you want sitting on the ass you have”. Speaking to Irish Country Living afterwards, she said: “I thought I was nervous going on The Late Late Show earlier this year, but that was just a warm up for standing in front of 600 women but it was one of the most warm and encouraging rooms I’ve ever stood in.”
Women on CAP
While it is a conference where speakers have their say, so too do the attendees and during the CAP panel which looked at how the Common Agricultural Policy could benefit women in the future, Attracta Rhattigan spoke from the audience saying: “Women not on the herd number is a big dilemma. Our name is not on the milk cheque and not on the livestock sales, so we have no assets. We can’t talk to the Department when we ring up.” 
The crowd at the Women & Agriculture Conference 2019. \ Philip Doyle
In response, Corina Roe from the Department of Agriculture said: “Part of this is to recognise the role of women in farming. Part of the work that needs to happen is building people’s confidence. In other countries, there are more joint partnerships. Ireland has a very traditional attitude to succession.”
It is certainly an issue that needs to be followed up and one that will be looked at in more detail in Irish Country Living and at future Women & Agriculture Conferences.
Notable speakers
Other speakers on the day included:
Dermot Goode, Total Health Cover who helped delegates save hundreds on their health insurance while simultaneously increasing their cover. We will be following up on this advice in next week’s Irish Country Living.Paul Flynn of The Tannery and Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant whose cookery demonstration focused on the power of Irish ingredients and lots of butter.
Paul Flynn and Jess Murphy gave a cooking demonstration in association with Ornua, with a focus on using Irish ingredients.
Dr Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist who focused on building resilience and overcoming adversity. We would like to thank all our readers who travelled to Sligo, many of whom were familiar faces from previous Women & Agriculture Conferences.
It was once again a room filled with friendships and positivity, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2020.
Amii McKeever speaking at the opening of the Women & Agriculture Conference. \ Philip Doyle
We’ll be talking about Vicky Phelan in the car on the way home and for a long time after this conference.” These were the words of Ann Kehoe from Tipperary as she left the Women & Agriculture Conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo last Thursday. Certainly not a sound could be heard when Vicky took to the stage to talk about the days and weeks that led up to her famous court case in April of last year, when she refused to allow a cover up of her incorrect smear results that subsequently, led to the development of her terminal cancer.
Vicky Phelan urged women in the farming community to be supportive of each other when life throws curveballs. \ Philip Doyle
However, that was just part of her story and the importance of visits to the doctors was a key message that she wanted to get across to our audience.
“We all know our own bodies, we know what’s right and in our hearts, we know when something is out of the ordinary. If there is any message that I want to get across today, it’s to act fast when you know something is wrong.”
The approach of setting up a women’s farming support group was also a topic shared by Vicky.
“From a farming community, I know that farming women face a unique set of situations where the only other people that understand are those in farming circles. We need to be supportive of each other because unfortunately, life can throw us curveballs where we are faced with challenges that we couldn’t even anticipate.”
It was no surprise when Vicky received a standing ovation from the audience.
The crowd got the party kickstarted at the banquet the evening before the conference.
Another journey
Another woman who brought the attendees to their feet was Trisha Lewis as she talked about her journey to “beat the bulge”. The Limerick woman who started her weight-loss journey at 26 stone spoke about the defining moments that led to her dropping seven stone and her commitment to drop seven more.
Trisha Lewis spoke about her weight-loss journey and how she intends to “beat the bulge”.
“I actually typed up a text message to my sister saying to give up on me, that I was a lost cause. But after typing it, I threw the phone across the room, put on my runners and went to a nearby gym crying for help.”
While her story was touching, Trisha is a woman with a great sense of humour and had the conference roaring with laugher as she came out with phrases such as “you can’t get the ass you want sitting on the ass you have”. Speaking to Irish Country Living afterwards, she said: “I thought I was nervous going on The Late Late Show earlier this year, but that was just a warm up for standing in front of 600 women but it was one of the most warm and encouraging rooms I’ve ever stood in.”
Women on CAP
While it is a conference where speakers have their say, so too do the attendees and during the CAP panel which looked at how the Common Agricultural Policy could benefit women in the future, Attracta Rhattigan spoke from the audience saying: “Women not on the herd number is a big dilemma. Our name is not on the milk cheque and not on the livestock sales, so we have no assets. We can’t talk to the Department when we ring up.”
The crowd at the Women & Agriculture Conference 2019. \ Philip Doyle
In response, Corina Roe from the Department of Agriculture said: “Part of this is to recognise the role of women in farming. Part of the work that needs to happen is building people’s confidence. In other countries, there are more joint partnerships. Ireland has a very traditional attitude to succession.”
It is certainly an issue that needs to be followed up and one that will be looked at in more detail in Irish Country Living and at future Women & Agriculture Conferences.
Notable speakers
Other speakers on the day included:
Dermot Goode, Total Health Cover who helped delegates save hundreds on their health insurance while simultaneously increasing their cover. We will be following up on this advice in next week’s Irish Country Living.Paul Flynn of The Tannery and Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant whose cookery demonstration focused on the power of Irish ingredients and lots of butter.
Paul Flynn and Jess Murphy gave a cooking demonstration in association with Ornua, with a focus on using Irish ingredients.
Dr Eddie Murphy, clinical psychologist who focused on building resilience and overcoming adversity. We would like to thank all our readers who travelled to Sligo, many of whom were familiar faces from previous Women & Agriculture Conferences.
It was once again a room filled with friendships and positivity, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2020.
Amii McKeever speaking at the opening of the Women & Agriculture Conference. \ Philip Doyle
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