A Ramelton woman awarded a bursary for excellence in agricultural studies has dedicated it to her late grandfather.
Catherine Grier, a student at Gurteen College in Tipperary, is the first female ever to receive the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) grant.
The 21-year-old deaf student’s detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of dairy farming impressed the judging panel which included IHFA chief executive Charles Gallagher and lecturer Richard Hamilton.
“The interview was supposed to last 45 minutes but it went on for an hour and a half and was all about the breeding of a dairy cow which is my speciality,” a delighted Catherine told the Donegal News.
A student at Letterkenny Institute of Technology as well as Gurteen College, Catherine has been studying for an Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management as well as completing a course in Agricultural Science. She is currently on placement at Donegal Creameries in Killygordon where she works in the raw milk and microbiology labs.
She said she hoped her late grandfather, Ivan Grier who passed away in 2019, would be proud of her latest achievement.
“My grandad Ivan would have been well known as the founder of the Donegal Friesian Breeders Association and he was a stock judger.
“He would have been well known in agricultural circles and I want to carry on his legacy. When I won the bursary I could just picture him jumping and down with excitement for me,” said Catherine.
As well as an accomplished farmer, Catherine Grier is a talented sportswoman.
She is a member of the Irish Deaf Futsal team and will travel to Italy in October as part of the squad. She will also go to Wolverhampton in August with Doncaster for the British Deaf Cup. When not on national or international duty she turns out for Manorcunningham side Lagan Harps.
Catherine in 2018 collecting her Donegal News Sports Personality award from Harry Walsh, sports editor, Donegal News with Alanna O’Leary, Brian McCormick Sports, Letterkenny.
A typical day then consists of a 5.45am start to milk and feed the family herd before breakfast. That is followed by a day in the creamery before returning home for more agricultural duties. With those completed Catherine heads for football training.
“It’s a busy life,” she admitted.
Deaf from birth, the former Mulroy College student has always depended on lip reading to communicate. But her life was transformed a year ago when she got cochlear implants.
“Covid gave me the push because once masks were introduced, you couldn’t lip read,” she said.
Not being able to hear has never held Catherine back. She said though that she owes much to Gurteen College for their efforts in helping her study.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of my lecturers at Gurteen. They were able to provide me with subtitles and they provided me with a note taker who had been through the course previously so she was able to provide me with very thorough notes.”
Now nearing the end of her studies Catherine said the bursary, which consists of a financial sum, will help as she decides what to do next.
“What next is the big question,” she said.
“Because of the way farming is going, it is going to be a very difficult this year. Everyone is chatting about prices going up, the cost of meal, all sorts of things.
“I’m not sure what is next for me but as I say, I would love to carry on my grandad’s legacy.”
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