Farm Walks - Call for Artists
The Farm Walks project was co-created by Leitrim County Council Arts Office and The Dock Arts Centre with The Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group and the Ulster Wildlife Farmers’ Group in Fermanagh 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.
The partners in the project are now seeking proposals from artists wishing to undertake a residency at one or other farm.
Please note, that it is not possible to visit any of the farms at anytime, other than the pre-arranged Site Visit/s, and access to the farms on the day, will be restricted to the Farm Walks Site Visit buses only, due to limited access and safety precautions.
Background
In 2024 the programme consisted of six walks (three in Leitrim and three in Fermanagh) which featured a tour of each farm and a talk by an invited artist whose work resonates with that farm, its creative potential, heritage or other special characteristics. While this demonstrated the crossover and shared interests of artists and farmers in the two counties, this next phase of the project in 2025, which is split into two parts, will provide the opportunity for artists and farmers to work together for longer periods on projects of shared interest. Both artists and farmers are paid for their time, and further funding will be sought to bring any ideas arising from those partnerships to fruition.
The project seeks to develop a platform for creative collaboration between artists and farmers, providing alternatives to the current view, and making connections and linkages where they may not have existed previously. The project takes from international models which have shown that there is a real demand not only from farmers looking to explore the capacity of creativity to influence what they do, but also by artists wanting to interact with farmers and to and have positive impact and explore their practice in a farm environment.
The Farmers
Gerry Bohan, Mohill, Co. Leitrim.
Gerry Bohan is a Leitrim-based farmer managing a farm that has been in his family for seven generations. He took over in 2000 and operates a 40-acre farm with suckler cattle and hens. The land consists of free-draining soil, wet lowland, drumlin soil, and reclaimed bog. A quarter of the land provides high-quality meadow grass for winter fodder. Like many in the area, the farm transitioned from dairy to suckler cows in the 1980s due to economic and environmental challenges.
Soil structure is crucial for farming mixed-quality land. Over 300 metres of hawthorn hedging have been planted, and additional hedging was laid under the "Acres Scheme." Seven acres have been set aside for conservation, including reclaimed bogland. Despite many badger setts in the area, TB has not been an issue.
Gerry's land holds historical significance. A Neolithic burial tomb, recognized as a national monument, is located on his farm and has been fenced off for protection. His townland, Aughadrumcairn, means "the field on the hill of the mound of stones." Stories about the tomb and local history have been shared on the Ray D’Arcy show and local radio as part of the folklore project "Amach to the Field" (2023). Some of these stories featured in his book The Clainings Tree first published in 2023. Flax buried in his bog by family members following a market collapse during famine times remains preserved and usable.
Gerry stays engaged with farming networks while balancing his work with heritage projects and other creative projects.
Dolores Byrne, Dromahair, Co Leitrim.
Dolores Byrne is a Leitrim-based farmer with over 45 years’ experience. She co-manages the family farm with her brother, a property that has been in their family for over a century. Farming is a part-time role for Dolores, as she also teaches ecology at ATU Sligo, using the farm as a learning lab.
The farm is classified as high nature value farmland, consisting of species-rich grassland, bog, oak woodland, and water. Cattle are outwintered, meaning they remain outdoors year-round. With a low stocking rate of 0.5 livestock units per hectare, careful rotational grazing is practiced. Some fields are mowed in early July, while others are grazed at different times.
Biodiversity is a priority. The farm supports a thriving population of the protected marsh fritillary butterfly. The woodlands are left untouched, fostering deadwood habitats and supporting rare plants like the bird’s nest orchid. The area is also home to red squirrels, pine martens, foxes, and diverse bird species. Japanese knotweed, an invasive species, is controlled using glyphosate.
Dolores has played a role in developing results-based biodiversity payment schemes for farmers where the farm served as a testing ground for scoring systems now used in ACRES, a national conservation program.
Barry Connolly, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh.
Barry Connolly is an organic market gardener and farmer in Fermanagh. With over eight years’ experience farming in Ireland and France, he previously ran Pure Rare Organics near Belfast and completed an MSc in Organic Farming in 2024. While he works part-time as an orthodontist, his true passion is organic agriculture.
His family farm, established in 1920, spans 80 acres. Barry’s father, originally a suckler cattle farmer, now buys and finishes around 60 weanlings annually. Barry has set aside five acres to establish a fruit and nut orchard, forest garden, syntropic permaculture orchard, market garden, and a tree nursery. He aims to create a diverse, self-sufficient farm that moves beyond traditional cattle farming.
Committed to sustainability, they stopped using synthetic fertiliser, reseeded 25% of pasture with multispecies mixes, make compost from farm waste, planted a willow coppice, and restored a pond and hedgerows to enhance biodiversity.
The land has historical significance, featuring a 500m stretch of the old Ulster Canal, a preserved stone bridge, an ancient rath, and nearby Neolithic sites. It also borders the River Finn and Upper Lough Erne.
Barry’s farm blends tradition and innovation, focusing on regenerative, diverse, and ecologically sound agriculture. His vision is to showcase Ireland’s potential for sustainable food production while protecting the environment and cultural heritage.
Jane Corrigan, Portnacloyaduff, Co Fermanagh.
Jane Corrigan helps manage her family’s 400-acre farm in Fermanagh, alongside her brother and 80-year-old father. The land stretches from the shores of Lough Erne to Lough Navar Forestry, combining wet, heavy ground with diverse natural habitats. The farm has been in the family since the 1930s, with various plots acquired over time. Jane, who previously lived in England, returned home in 2020 to support her father. She has a background in Fine Art and Design Technology, working part-time as a teacher while continuing to farm.
The family farm focuses on beef suckler cattle and sheep, with births occurring from March to April, aligning with natural seasons. Their approach is extensive rather than intensive, using low-input, nature-friendly farming. The land includes species-rich areas, forestry, and foreshore, supporting a variety of wildlife and biodiversity. The family works closely with environmental organizations to maintain sustainable practices.
Beyond farming, Jane’s father is a well-known community figure, involved in cross-community and historical groups. Their home is a traditional cèilidh house, often welcoming visitors at all hours. The land is rich in history, with old farm dwellings, folklore, and stories of fairies, political events, and ghostly sightings. Fields have inherited names and legends, keeping the past alive. Their farm is more than just land—it’s a living tapestry of nature, history, and community, where sustainable agriculture meets rich storytelling and heritage.
Bernard Flanagan, Muckenagh, Co Fermanagh.
Bernard Flanagan has been farming since 1970 on land that has been in his family for over 200 years. While he previously worked in forestry, a bakery, and as a school caretaker, he is now retired and focuses on breeding ewes. His 43-acre farm, located on Rossmore Point in Lough Melvin, is a designated priority habitat with rare wet grassland plants, making it a site of interest for botanists.
Traditionally, the farm housed suckler cows, sheep, and horses, but today it is managed primarily for sheep farming and biodiversity conservation. The hay meadows are still traditionally managed, though with modern machinery. The land is rich in wildlife, attracting Canadian Geese, White-Fronted Geese, and Whooper Swans, and features species-rich grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. Bernard has always participated in environmental schemes and takes pride in managing these habitats.
The farm is steeped in history, once a key poitín smuggling site in the 1800s. It contains a derelict famine-era dwelling, an old grotto with Latin inscriptions, and artifacts dating back to 1898. It overlooks McClancy Castle, protected by the Spanish Armada in 1588. The area is rich in monastic history, with visible sites linked to the Four Masters and Inish Temple Church.
Fossils, ancient tools, and artifacts have been found on the farm, some of which are now in a museum. Bernard is deeply passionate about preserving both his land’s natural and historical heritage, blending farming with conservation and storytelling.
Valerie Irwin, Gortgarrigan, Co Leitrim.
Valerie Irwin manages Rockfield Farm, a 105-acre property in Leitrim that has been in her family for generations. She took over in 2023 and is committed to sustainable, organic farming. The farm specializes in organic sheep production, having transitioned from conventional farming four years ago to promote environmental sustainability and biodiversity.
The land consists of dry, improved grassland on red clay soil, with some wet, marshy areas near the River Bonet. Small woodlands, historic stone walls, and ancient trees provide habitats for diverse wildlife, including bats, red squirrels, and birds. Organic practices eliminate synthetic chemicals, enhancing soil health, reducing erosion, and contributing to cleaner water sources. The farm also aids carbon sequestration, helping combat climate change.
Rockfield Farm holds significant cultural and historical value. It features ancient ring forts, remnants of old dwellings, and a former railway line, reflecting Ireland’s rich heritage. Rockfield House itself was originally a rectory and has been part of the Middleton family since 1867. The farm is also a known fishing spot, with the River Bonet deeply tied to local folklore.
Occasionally, the farm is used for controlled hunting, balancing conservation and wildlife management. Valerie balances her farming duties with a part-time role as a Special Needs Assistant. She is dedicated to preserving both the natural and historical heritage of Rockfield Farm while continuing its legacy of sustainable agriculture. She remains engaged in many projects related to farming and conservation.
How do I get involved?
To attend the site visits artists must express their interest in taking part in the programme before 13 April 2025. However, while the closing date for Expressions of Interest in the programme has now passed, artists that have not attended the site visit may still submit a proposal for a residency at one or more of the participating farms.
What happens then?
Following the closing date for expressions of interest for artists and subsequent site visits, artists are invited to prepare proposals for what they would like to do as part of a project at one or other of the farms they have visited. An independent panel shortlists a maximum of three proposals that will be presented to each participating farmer who makes the final selection of which artist they would like to work with.
These proposals are not definitive in-stone plans that an artist would be expected to follow directly. Rather, by identifying potential lines of enquiry, areas of interest, and processes they would like to undertake, the proposal provides a vivid insight into the applicant’s methodology as an artist, their understanding of the farm, and a demonstration of their capacity for developing innovative projects appropriate to that farm. Given that these proposals are only based on a short site visit, while they may serve as useful starting points, the anticipation is that projects would evolve when underway and differ substantially, if not completely, from the original proposal.
The initial residency lasts for ten days over two months. These ten days can be taken in one block or spread over the two months as agreed between the artist and farmer. There are no preconditions on what this part of the project might consist of, and it is not obligatory to have produced anything by the end of it – although a materials budget is available if required. This part of the project is perhaps best described as action-research. For many Farmer/Artist partnerships, the 10-day residency might be the right length to explore what the artist and farmer want to do together, but some partnerships that discover valuable areas of common interest and further potential can apply to take part in a continuing project lasting a further 20 days over the next four months.
Farmer/Artist partnerships moving onto this phase will have based this next proposal on shared understandings and ambitions for what they want to get achieve and see coming from the project – a joint proposal. While the first 10-day project might have been action-research, this part of the project is more focused and does anticipate having definite outcomes of some sort or planning towards definite outcomes.
The Artist
Applicants can be from any arts discipline. While some farms may appear suited to one or other artform, neither the partners nor farmers have preconceived ideas on what a project might look like or what approach any artist might propose, and as such are entirely open to all artists, disciplines, and ideas.
The Proposal
Artists are invited to prepare proposals for what they would like to do as part of a 30-day residency at one or other of the farms (the action-research over 10 days plus the follow-on project over 20 days).
These proposals are not definitive, in-stone plans that an artist would be expected to implement directly. Rather, by identifying potential lines of enquiry, areas of interest, and processes they would like to undertake, the proposal provides a vivid insight into the applicant’s methodology as an artist. It also shows their understanding of the farm and capacity for developing innovative projects appropriate to that farm. Given that initial proposals are only based on a short descriptions and visits, while they may serve as useful starting points, the anticipation is that a project would evolve when underway and differ substantially from the original proposal.
Information Session
A 90-minute online information session to support artists in the preparation of proposals is scheduled for 11am on Friday 16 May. Artists who registered their interest in the project before the closing date will have received a link to this session by email. Please contact farmwalksleitrim@gmail.com if you registered your interest but have not received a link.
Schedule
| Programme Launch | 25 January 2025 |
| Closing Date for Expression of Interest (Farmers) | 23 February 2025 |
| National Promotion of Programme | March – April 2025 |
| Closing Date for Expression of Interest (Artists) | 13 April 2025 |
| Farm Site Visits | 30 April - 02 May 2025 |
| Online Information Session | 11am, Friday 16 May 2025 |
| Closing Date for Artists Proposals | 08 June 2025 |
| 10-day Residencies | June—August 2025 |
| Closing Date for 20-day Artist/Farmer Proposals | 31 August 2025 |
| 20-day Residencies | To be agreed with artists/farmers |
Budget
First Stage (10 days)
| Artist Fee | €2,000.00 |
| Farmer Fee | €1,000.00 |
| Materials Budget: | €500.00 |
Second Stage (20 days)
| Artist Fee | €5,000.00 |
| Farmer Fee | €2,000.00 |
| Materials Budget | €3,000.00 |
Access
The partners aim to remove barriers that might prevent artists from achieving the objectives of their artistic proposals. While some access requirements may incur additional costs, others may not. A budget is available to cover access costs to be agreed in advance with the Project Manager. This budget is an additional 25% of the artist’s fee, i.e. €500 for the first 10 days and €1,250 for the following 20 days.
Travel & Accommodation
For the first 10-day project, there is a travel and accommodation budget available up to €1,500 to be agreed with the Project Manager in advance and paid on submission of receipts. There will be a travel and accommodation budget available in the second part also.
Please note that while some off-site or remote work may be crucial to a project, given that the project is about collaboration between the artist and farmer at that location, this should be kept to a minimum.
Insurance and Health & Safety
Selected artists must carry their own public liability insurance and indemnify the farmer and project partners in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from the project. While each farmer has a duty of care for artists on their farm, particularly when engaging in any activity under the direction of the farmer, each artist maintains ultimate responsibility for their own health and safety in relation to the residency.
Selection process
An independent panel shortlists a maximum of three proposals that will be presented to each participating farmer who makes the final selection of which artist they would like to work with.
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- The quality, innovation and artistic merit of the proposal.
- The response to the farm and the context of the project.
- Previous work and track record of the artist.
- Proven ability to collaborate successfully.
Submissions should be sent through the link below only. The deadline is Midnight on Sunday 8 June 2025.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest in the programme has now passed. However, artists that have not registered their interest in the programme or attended the site visit may still submit a proposal for a residency on one or more farms. Submission of residency proposals will open shortly after the site visits.
Further Information
Joeleen Lynch,
Project Manager
farmwalksleitrim@gmail.com
+353 (0)89 254 8193 (Irish)
+44 (0)77 8414 2227 (UK)
or
Leitrim Arts Office
Email: arts@leitrimcoco.ie
Ph: 071 96 20005 Ext 694
The Dock
Email: thedockartscentre@gmail.com
Ph: 071 96 50828
Web: www.thedock.ie