An appreciation of nature leads identical twins Ollie and Finn Dawdry to describe their family farm in a picturesque corner of north Sligo as a “cool place to live”.

The nine-year-old boys, who have just finished second class at Carn NS, near Grange, have reached the final of the Irish Farmers Journal Rising Rural Stars competition after being nominated by their proud mammy Karen.

The boys are aware of how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful part of the country, as their grandad’s farm overlooks Sligo Bay, with the majestic Benbulben to the rear.

“You can see all the way to Mullaghmore and even Donegal on a fine day. We aren’t able to go all the way up Benbulben but the views are very special,” says Finn.

“That’s one part of farming I really enjoy – being out in the fresh air and hearing the birds in the trees, even the leaves rustling in the wind is cool. We can hear the bees and smell the flowers and it’s a nice place to live.”

Sheep dipping

Ollie explains that he and his brother spend as much time as possible on the farm.

“We go over to Grandad’s sheep farm every weekend and we’re really looking forward to spending more time up there on the school holidays,” he says.

“He has 100 ewes and his farm is right on Benbulben – it’s in a place called Carnamadow and it’s really cool. He has a quad bike and beehives and Buddy the sheepdog and we love helping out.”

Finn says the sheep dipping is probably the most exciting job to watch, especially the part where grandad (John Joe Gilmartin) dips the animals’ heads down for a wash.

Finn, left and Ollie have been really busy on the farm this year. \ James Connolly

“We’ve been really busy this year feeding the lambs and we get up early every Saturday morning so we can spend time on the farm. We have hi-vis jackets and work trousers and our boots and once we’re dressed and ready, we make the short walk up to the farm,” he says.

“We can carry the bags of crunch and nuts, which are heavy enough, but that kind of work will make us big and strong,” says Finn.

The twins’ love of the outdoors is fostered, in part, by grandad John Joe but also comes from their dad Ciarán, who was enticed away from his native inner city Dublin to a more rural way of living before the boys were born.

“My husband Ciarán has no farming background but was a keen scout back in his day when he was a member of the Aughrim Street Scouts Brigade in Dublin 7,” says Karen, who is a community mental health nurse.

“We love going to agricultural shows as a family and are lucky to have a few to choose from nearby in Grange and Manorhamilton. We’ve even made it over to shows in the Isle of Man, where the boys’ other grandad lives.

“The boys are well-known locally as they’re a regular sight in Grandad’s jeep, heading off to the mart. The sheep sale in Coolaney in August is one we all look forward to, we even have a lucky pen there.

“I nominated Ollie and Finn for the Rising Rural Stars competition because it makes my heart warm to see their awareness and love for rural life.

In this world of many mental health issues, grounding and mindfulness in our children will help them face the challenges ahead of them in the future,” she says.

Massey 135

The boys’ interests extend to vintage tractors and they are hoping that, if they win a prize in the Rising Rural Starts competition, they’ll use the proceeds to help Grandad restore a Massey 135.

“We love everything about the farm and really like meeting Grandad’s friends who all have the best nicknames. We’re learning who is who and how each name is very different but means something special to that person,” adds Ollie.

Finn is very excited about being one of 15 finalists for Rural Rising Stars.

“It’s going to be amazing to go to the Ploughing Championships because we’ve never been before,” he says.

“I wonder will we get to go in a limo? But it’s OK if we don’t because Dad can drive us as his auntie lives near Tullamore so we’ll probably call in for a visit on our way there.”

When they have finished their farm work, the boys continue to nurture their love of agriculture in the comfort of their living room.

“We play the farming simulator on the Playstation when we’re allowed and we look up farm videos on YouTube too,” says Finn.

The boys are also musical. “We love playing the tin whistle and the guitar and we’ve played at the County Fleadh in Sligo. We listen to country music and our favourites are the Whistling Donkeys, Tumbling Paddies, High Stool Prophets and the Dubliners.”

Karen says the boys’ love of farming follows on from her own childhood. She helped out on the farm too, taking over lamb feeding when John Joe was working nights as he was also a mental health nurse.

“The special bond they have with my father and the inter-generational friendships they are making through his friends is a joy to watch,” she adds.

“It gives them that spark and an appreciation of people and relationships that young people aren’t exposed to so much anymore. It really is wonderful to see.”