THE SOUTHERN STAR AND CELTIC ROSS HOTEL ‘WEST CORK FARMING AWARDS’ HALL OF FAME WINNER: DENIS KEOHANE, AHIOHILL, BALLINASCARTHY

Denis ploughs on to get projects over the line for his community.

HALL OF FAME AWARD SPONSORED BY

DENIS Keohane likes to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in, and looking on from the side lines has never been his style, even as a footballer back in the day.

The Ahiohill man is known the length and breadth of the country for his involvement in the National Ploughing Association, and among his many credentials is holding the title of chairman for three years.

He’s also a founding member of St  Oliver Plunkett GAA Club and he played a key role in acquiring land that allowed for the expansion of Knockskeagh NS.

Denis on his farm in Ahiohill with his grandson Donnchadh, son Michael and dog Bodum. He’s enjoyed a life-long career as a dry stock farmer.

But his motivation throughout it all has simply been to get the job done, and improve his community.

Denis enjoyed a life-long career as a dry stock farmer and only in recent years has handed the reins over to his son Michael.

For many years, he also worked with neighbour Patrick Walsh when Patrick began his silage contracting business, and also with local farmer Vivian Buttimer.

Not surprisingly, he still helps out at home and also works with a local potato farmer, Maurice Whelton.

‘That’s just to keep myself fit,’ laughed Denis.

His first outing to a ploughing match was when he was 15 years old.

‘I remember my father coming back from the creamery, telling me he had met a man who was going to a ploughing match in Timoleague and asked if I wanted to go. I said I would, and that was where my love of ploughing all started,’ he recalled.

In later years, he was involved in setting up a ploughing match in Ballinascarthy. Like so many things it all started ‘one night at a meeting in the hall.’

‘I was at a meeting and the question was asked by the late Denny Ryan if we should set up our own ploughing match. I remember there was complete silence, and myself and Denny said we would, and we did!’

Denis is his days as Chairman of the National Ploughing Association.

Denis was to the fore in supporting the move to grant Cork two-county status, West and East, back in 1985, and was a director of the NPA for over 20 years, having served as an officer at all levels.

He was a respected and accomplished national and international ploughing judge which gave him an opportunity to travel abroad extensively, and in  2010, he was the team Ireland coach, which saw him take a memorable trip to New Zealand.

Like every other year, last month he attended the All-Ireland Ploughing Championships with Michael.

‘It was a fantastic two days. What I love about it, outside of seeing superb ploughing, is that you meet people you wouldn’t have seen since the previous year and it’s a great way to stay in touch,’ he said.

St Oliver Plunkett’s GAA Club is another organisation to have benefitted from Denis’ outstanding organisational skills, and is an easy way to bring people together for a common good. He’s one of the club’s founding members. They held their first meeting in December 1974, and played their first match 50 years ago this year.

‘We were ratified as a club in January 1975 which was a tremendous occasion,’ he said. And that was just the start of his involvement, as he went on to help secure the purchase of a field that became the club’s playing pitch.

He was the chairman of both the underage and adult club, he represented St Oliver Plunkett’s on the Carbery board, and was the coaching officer on the county board. Did he play himself?

‘A bit of football. What stands out most is when I broke my leg playing in Rosscarbery one evening. It didn’t stop me going back though. I’m not the type to stay on the sidelines.’

He attended Knockskeagh NS and so did his three children, Michael, Margaret and Emma, and the school wasn’t found wanting when it came to helping to secure additional land to extend the school yard. His easy-going nature and likeability make him a talented negotiator.

‘Basically I don’t leave until I get what I want,’ he laughs. ‘Anything that was going on, I was in the middle of it. Like the fella says, if no one else would do something, I’d do it myself,’ he said.

Denis’ wife Hetty passed away in April of last year. She was an outstanding support to Denis, holding the fort while he attended ploughing meetings and other events, and is sadly missed. Their 10 grandchildren, two boys and eight girls ranging in age from 19 to two years old, bring Denis great joy.

Winning The Southern Star Hall of Fame award has been ‘outstanding.’

Denis Keohane, Southern Star Farming Awards Hall of Fame winner, 2025 on his farm in Ahiohill, Ballinascarthy. Photo: Andy Gibson.

‘I never expected it for a single minute, especially at this stage of my life, so it was an unbelievable surprise. It’s not something I take lightly and it’s just fantastic,’ he said.

His proudest achievements, however, were from his ploughing career.

‘A standout moment was presenting my neighbour and family friend Padraig Walsh, Clonakilty Ploughing with his award at my final championship as chairman in 2019. Going to the very top of the ladder with that organisation was very satisfying, and when you enjoy something it doesn’t ever feel like an effort, or hard work,’ he said.

Finally, could he ever envisage the All-Ireland Ploughing Championships taking place in West Cork?

‘No! There are too many cows here!’

WHY WE SUPPORT WEST CORK FARMING

Andy Donoghue of Hodnett Forde Auctioneers. Photo by theheadshotguy.ie

HODNETT Forde Property Services are delighted to support the 2025 West Cork Farming Awards in recognition of the incredible work and sacrifices all members of the farming community experience throughout their daily lives.

As we are well aware, farming isn’t a 9-5 role and involves a whole lifestyle commitment to operate successfully.

The resilience and determination to contend with  constant challenges such as climate change, input costs, and regulation changes amounts to greater levels of pressure than ever before and so rewarding the stand-out performers is most befitting for this industry.

At Hodnett Forde Property Services we provide multiple agriculture-related property services including the sales and rental of farm land, valuation services, and negotiation services for acquisitions.

We work closely with agricultural tax consultants for inheritance and tax planning providing valuation advice where needed.

Our team of 12 staff are highly experienced and
centrally  located in Clonakilty covering an area from Cork city to the Beara Peninsula. We would be delighted to assist with any farm and property-related queries.