Seamus Cosgrove

Seamus Cosgrove is a 5th generation hill farmer from Bangor Erris, Co. Mayo. Seamus has been central to the management and development of his farm from a very young age, and has gradually adapted it to changing policies, markets and land conditions. The farm remains family-centred, with his wife and three daughters involved, and he is optimistic about generational succession and future viability of the family farm.

Central to the farming system are hardy breeds of livestock suited to mountain and commonage grazing. Sheep numbers are at 180 ewes, with a move back to traditional mountain breeds that can remain on the hill year-round with minimal intervention. Cattle breeding on his farm has recently shifted toward Belted Galloways, selected for their resilience, ability to thrive on rough grazing and ecological compatibility with upland farms - "We're going back to the way we were farming 60 years ago. We're going back to farming the ground with the stock that's compatible with it." The Galloweys are managed using GPS collars and Seamus says this technology is massively helpful in upland farming systems.

Seamus is a demonstration farmer with LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature and is undertaking commonage restoration work including restoration of old turf-banks, the installation of geotextile and the use of coir logs. He is heavily involved in his local community – currently Vice President of the INHFA and coordinator of the Atlantic Hill producer group. He believes strongly in the farming community coming together and sharing knowledge and expertise with one another to find solutions to farming and environmental challenges - "Farming never stops. It might change but it never stops."

Nomination (Gary Goggins, LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature):
LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature would like nominate Seamus Cosgrove as a Farming For Nature Ambassador. Seamus farms in partnership with his daughter Sharon in Bangor Erris, north Mayo. He has a mixed hill farm, with 180 Mayo blackface ewes and a small herd of native and mixed-breed cattle. The vast majority of the farm is mountain land on a mosaic of blanket bog, wet and dry heath, with a small proportion of inside land. The farming system involves breeding and finishing lambs for the market and selling breeding stock. Seamus practices conservation grazing with native breed cattle and the use of no-fence collars. He demonstrates how cattle can be used to improve and maintain upland habitats whilst also providing an income source.

Seamus holds the position of Vice President of the INHFA, working to improve outcomes for thousands of hill farmers. He is the local coordinator of the Atlantic Hill producer group, who actively develop markets for local lamb, coordinate supply chains and get better returns for farmers. He also hosts two beehives on his farm.

Seamus participates in the flagship ACRES CP agri-environmental programme under the CAP Strategic Plan. He is pioneering several improvements to his farm (i.e. under Landscape Actions) including water table management and erosion control. He is also a demonstration farmer with LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature and is undertaking commonage restoration work including restoration of old turf-banks, the installation of geotextile and the use of coir logs.

Seamus is an excellent communicator and has taken part in outreach work for Wild Atlantic Nature including appearing on Countrywide (RTÉ Radio One) and in a nature documentary currently being filmed by Crossing The Line productions for RTÉ. He has also led the organization of several public meeting related to nature conservation initiatives in the local area.

Seamus is the Development Officer with the local angling club and has worked extensively on improving the condition of the Owenmore River and Carrowmore Lake SAC, liaising with organizations including LAWPro, IFI and Mayo County Council. He is Chair of the Mayo Steering Committee for the Atlantic West Community Alliance Natura Communities group, a local-led nature restoration initiative supported by NPWS. Seamus is also Chair of the Community Development Committee and the local Sheep Fair Committee, who brought the August Fair back to Bangor Erris after a 50 year absence. He has more than 40 years experience as lead of the local community Bingo group.
In sum, Seamus provides an excellent example of how passionate and driven people, together with nature, farming and local development intertwine to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities.