Pictured with Pat the Cope Gallagher TD are the many farmers, project partners and elected representatives supporting the FARM-Up | Coimín Beo initiative.

Photo Credit: Oisin Forde.

Pat the Cope Gallagher TD has officially launched the FARM‑Up | Coimín Beo European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project in Dún Lúiche, County Donegal. The event was well attended by local farmers, community representatives, statutory agencies and project partners.

FARM‑Up | Coimín Beo

The project, located in Donegal and Mayo, will focus on commonage management, farmer engagement, citizen‑science initiatives, farmer typology, and the development of appropriate management practices for upland commonages. Participation by farmers is voluntary, and the open call for expressions of interest in the area has already attracted strong engagement from farmers.

The project aims to deliver practical actions on the ground, generate evidence for future funding, and influence national and European policy to better reflect the realities of upland commonage farming. Co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine (DAFM), this project is a significant investment in the future of commonage farming in rural Ireland.

Congratulating the Operational Group on the launch, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said “The Farm-Up | Coimín Beo EIP is an excellent example of how the European Innovation Partnership programme is supporting farmers to lead the way in delivering environmental sustainability while maintaining vibrant rural communities. By combining local knowledge with scientific expertise, this project generates practical solutions that will benefit farmers, nature and agricultural policy alike. I congratulate all those involved and look forward to seeing the positive impact of the project over the coming years.”

Deputy Gallagher said: “Commonage farmers are the heartbeat of this project”

Launching the initiative in Donegal, Deputy Gallagher praised the initiative saying, “The Farm Up Coimín Beo project is a great step forward for commonage farmers around Errigal. Our commonage farmers have looked after these hills for generations, and this initiative aims to secure these hills for generations to come. This project will help strengthen upland farming, protect the land, and ensure that Donegal farming communities continue to have a bright future.”

Deputy Gallagher also acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the project. “I want to thank the project’s lead organisation, South West Mayo Development Company, the Operational Group, and all the strategic partners for their commitment. This is exactly the kind of locally‑driven, community‑rooted innovation that the EIP programme was designed to support.”

Bottom-Up Approach to Local Solutions in Action

Speaking at the launch, local commonage farmer, Shaunie Boyle spoke about the importance of FARM-Up | Coimín Beo for the commonage areas in the Earagail area. “My family have farmed these hills for many years, and in that time, we have seen a move from the hills to lower ground. This is an opportunity for us to actively farm our hills again, in a way that is good for the environment, good for the pocket, and good for the community.”

Partnership Approach

An Operational Group has been established, comprising 13 farmers from Donegal and Mayo and 12 representatives from strategic partner organisations including Wild Atlantic Nature (WAN) LIFE, Cairde na hEaragail, ACRES West Connacht, ACRES Donegal, the Marine Institute, LAWPRO, Teagasc, ATU, Mayo and Donegal County Councils, Údarás na Gaeltachta and NPWS.

Project Partner Josephine Kelly, Project Officer with Cairde na hEaragail said “We have been working on several environmental projects in this area, and FARM-Up | Coimín Beo will complement and build on this work. We have the local contacts and look forward to making our contribution on the Operational Group and to the wider project success over the coming years.”

Farmers at the Heart of the EIP

A central theme of the launch was the recognition that commonage farmers are the key to the success of FARM‑Up | Coimín Beo. “I am delighted to be here on behalf of Donegal County Council to support the launch of this project,” said Cllr Michael McClafferty. “FARM-Up | Coimín Beo has the potential to drive real change on our commonages and by working hand-in-hand with our local farmers, agencies and partners, we have all the ingredients to make this initiative a real success.”

Looking Ahead

With staff now recruited and the Operational Group in place, the project will soon begin selecting demonstration sites and working directly with participating farmers. “We look forward to the months and years ahead as FARM‑Up | Coimín Beo begins to deliver real, measurable benefits for farmers, communities and the environment,” Sabina Trench, CEO South West Mayo Development Company concluded. “Our hope is that this project will have a positive impact on commonage farmers and their families for generations to come.”