– Colm Keena on the occasional delights of getting our hands dirty

The succession of chores that were presenting themselves was like climbing a mountain; you keep thinking the topmost crest is just there ahead of you, but when you reach it, you discover another has been hiding behind. Photograph: Getty Images

Because news does not respect the Sabbath – Christian or Jewish – reporters’ rosters include weekend work with days off during the week in compensation. I’ve always enjoyed this aspect of the job, there being something attractive about being footloose and free while the rest of the world has its head down.

It was a bright, cloudless day and tinkering and weeding soon progressed to work requiring a shovel and a pitchfork. When the mid-morning coffee moment came, that too was consumed outdoors, on the hoof. By now my blood was up, and the succession of chores that were presenting themselves was like climbing a mountain; you keep thinking the topmost crest is just there ahead of you, but when you reach it, you discover another has been hiding behind. On I went. The sun reached its zenith.

I could see that farming was an occupation defined by its unending series of chores, most of them outdoors. The seasons brought different chores as did the passing hours of each day. Milking the cows. Bringing them in. Bringing them back out. Burning gorse. Mending stuff. I once walked with my uncles back from Moate, where they’d bought a few cattle in the mart that they herded back along the road to the farm.

Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

– Colm Keena on music, evolution and societyIt is odd that collective music-making has now become such a parcelled-off activity
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Colm Boyle column: First battle at Celtic Park in what could descend into a warI expect them to make a psychological dent on Derry, that Donegal are on the up and coming after them.
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Meath have rebuilt their squad under Colm O'Rourke but the big test is today.Meath have rebuilt their squad under Colm O'Rourke but their big test is today against the Dubs.
Source: IrishMirror - 🏆 4. / 98 Read more »

Colm O'Rourke criticizes Leinster senior football championshipColm O'Rourke, the Meath boss, has labeled the Leinster senior football championship as a 'shambles' after Meath's heavy defeat to Dublin. Dublin secured their 40th consecutive victory in the competition, winning by 16 points. O'Rourke suggests that the championship should be played before the league to avoid uncertainty for teams.
Source: The42_ie - 🏆 5. / 86 Read more »

Former FF TD Colm Keaveney withdraws from local elections amid drug driving chargeGalway councillor (53) accused of driving under the influence of cocaine in June 2023
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Munster confirm three departuresNeil Cronin, Colm Hogan and Andrew O’Mahony all exit.
Source: The42_ie - 🏆 5. / 86 Read more »