Interesting insights walking the land with Michael O’Leary
Everyone is aware of Michael O’Leary’s life in aviation.
And, of course, his successes on the horse racing field but it’s his involvement with cattle that will really come to the fore with his upcoming Gigginstown House Angus Sale which this year takes place on Easter Saturday, April 15.
I caught up with the legendary high flyer recently, not to ask him about new routes to Europe, or indeed to wrangle a few cheap flight tickets for myself, but to talk livestock.
That is where I am most comfortable. And I found that Michael O’Leary is also very at home on the farm.
Family farming legacy
“My dad always had an interest in bloodstock and livestock. Whereas on my mum’s side they were dairy farmers in Kanturk, and graduated to being very successful bloodstock breeders, Tony and Gay O’Callaghan,” the Ryanair boss told me.
“I enjoyed growing up on a farm and I want to recreate that same experience for my own children which is why we live where we do.
“When I was young I spent summer holidays on a dairy farm in Kanturk, where we helped out with the dairy herd and the horses, and as we got older we helped out on the home farm, usually with cattle and bloodstock.”
“What I like about livestock and bloodstock is really the breeding process, the unending magic of cows calving or horses foaling. The gentleness and tranquillity of most horses and cattle, Angus cattle in particular.
“Angus, because they are smaller than the French breeds, easier on the land, hardier in the winter, and require a lot less veterinary input at calving. It also appeals to me that they are more of a native Irish breed than the Charolais.”
And the hard working chief executive of Ryanair is high in praise for Irish farmers.
“I greatly admire the ‘can do’ attitude that exists in Irish farming today,” he said.
“Farmers take the slings and arrows of bad weather, fluctuating commodity prices, and arbitrary changes to farm funding with great patience and determination.
“Farmers look on the bright side and keep working hard to preserve the natural landscape of Ireland while still producing the highest quality food in the world.
“They also have a brilliant attitude to work as it’s not a five-day 9-to-5 activity, but a 24/7 commitment to their land, their stock, and their families,” he added.
Michael O’Leary’s 500 head Gigginstown herd, comprises of 250 pedigree, and 250 commercial Angus cattle.
Gigginstown farm itself encompasses five farms, and covers an area of 1,000 acres. Michael O’Leary and his family live in Gigginstown House which is at the centre of one of the farms.
“Sadly my involvement with the farm these days is more managerial than personal. I’m generally only around at weekends where I work with my farm manager, and try to help him in improving the quality of the farms, the cattle and the livestock.
“I have an excellent farm manager, Joe O’Mahony, who hails from good west Cork stock. If you want anything done well, get a Cork man to do it. He is ably assisted by Max Zincheniko, who is originally from Ukraine but has been with us for the past 10 years.
"They do an excellent job of maintaining and improving the land, the cattle and the horses.
Managing daily business
“At the moment on the farm fertiliser is being spread and repairs are ongoing on trees and fencing damaged by recent storms. Also, of course, calving down our spring calvers and foaling down mares.
“I love living in rural Westmeath because that is where I grew up. I like the beauty and peacefulness of the countryside, especially in the early mornings.
“Gigginstown in the early mornings of spring and summer frequently reminds me of why I work hard to pay for and maintain this beautiful part of Westmeath. I hope in time my children will share that passion and appreciate this land.”
