Paddy O’Keeffe (b. 1923)

Track 1: Paddy O’Keeffe grew up on a farm near Fermoy. He discusses his education in Dublin and his graduation from UCD in 1946. In 1947, he took over responsibility for the farm training group in Co. Dublin, which was a Government initiative. Track 2: Setting up The Farmer’s Journal in 1951 and recalling its first issue. Track 3: The changes in farming practices in the 1960s. His views on the Land Commission. The growth in circulation of The Farmer’s Journal. In 1962, the conversion of the ownership of the Journal into a non-profit trust. Track 4: Starting the FBD Insurance Company, and the role he played as its chairman. Track 5: The purchase of the farm in Grange, Killavullen, in 1967 and its management. Track 6: His post as editor of the Journal over the decades. Updating farming knowledge. Entry to the Common Market, and its consequences. Track 7: His views on the landed gentry and memories of his mentor in the early days. The farming community today, and the direction in which farming is headed.