Cillian Murphy is on a farm safety mission

From the moment those little wellies could fit, Cillian has been a growing inspiration to other farming children, especially in promoting farm safety,” says his mum, Fiona Murphy.

Hailing from the wild west of Ireland, Cillian Murphy lives in the countryside in Newport, Co Mayo, surrounded by mountains, which is his favourite place to be.

“I live on a sheep and cattle farm – I rather the sheep more. We have Blackface Mountain sheep, but they don’t listen to me. You definitely need a good sheepdog for them” he says, laughing.

Thankfully, Cillian has just that in his trusted sidekick Floss, a Border Collie.

Be safe, be seen

Cillian began his journey learning about farm safety at home through the Agri Kids books and from his parents. During Farm Safety Week – at the age of five – he started spreading the important message about farm safety to anyone who would listen. From the parish priest to supporters at the sidelines of matches, he took on the mission of getting the word out there.

As he got older, Cillian started entering handmade farm safety models in different agricultural shows and competitions around the country, including Swinford, Belmullet and the Erris Agricultural Show. Not only was he spreading the important message, but his efforts were rewarded with rosettes and prizes.

“The adults and kids loved them, and they were delighted to read the farm safety signs that I had on my display,” says Cillian.

The reason Cillian is so passionate about spreading the message is that he knows how dangerous farms can be for both children and adults. He effectively communicates the message that safety is paramount on farms, even to his little sister Aoife.

“It’s very important because lots of accidents can happen on farms. Everyone needs to know the hazards and dangerous areas. It’s important for farmers to have the correct signs around their yard and also to think more about farm safety every day. Livestock, machinery and bales are the biggest hazards, and more people need to be aware of this,” he says.

Innovation

“I made a farm safety monopoly board game a few years ago. I got a piece of paper, a ruler and just worked from my brain. It had different hazard symbols and we still play it today,” says Cillian.

At some stage in the future, Cillian’s dream is to design a proper monopoly farm safety board game and get it on the shelf to share with other families in an educational, fun way, along with video clips.

He brought the board game to school when he was in third class to play with his classmates as they are in a rural school with lots of children from farms.

“I have entered a lot of competitions to be noticed. I entered the Teagasc Farm Safety Competition and drew a picture of a farmer beside a sign that said: ‘Beware of the bull.’ I have a little sister and I try to teach her about farm safety,” he says.

Cillian loves being out on the farm. “I have Herdwicks, which are sheep from Scotland, that I got three years ago. I have 12 of them and they are my own flock. I look after them during the week.

“My morning routine is to get up, have my breakfast, go out and feed them, along with my ducks and hens. I already have a business selling eggs to the local people,” says Cillian.

He started doing this a few months ago, and people come up to him at mass complimenting his eggs.

Along with this, Cillian has merchandise and creates content on his Instagram page called wildatlanticherdwicks. He loves watching YouTube videos of The Sheep Game and Ewe Knit and Jeremy Clarkson.

Leaving everyone with a final word, he says: “We need to promote farm safety more, and remember to stay safe.”