Bishop urges prayer for good weather

CURRENT WET weather is threatening the annual harvest and causing “added pain and anxiety” to farmers already under pressure, the Catholic Bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan, said yesterday.

Asking that prayers for fine weather be offered at all Masses in the diocese of Ferns this month, Bishop Brennan said he “was conscious of the difficulties being faced by many involved in agriculture generally”.

The request for prayers coincided with additional flooding in the south of the country yesterday affecting traffic in Kerry, Laois and Waterford.

In addition, Met Éireann has confirmed that this summer was a washout, with every weather station in the country recording above-normal rainfall.

After some fine weather in May and during the traditional exam period in early to mid-June, rain was a constant feature throughout late June, July and August.

An average Irish summer has between 32 and 38 wet days, but this summer had between 43 and 52.

Dr Brennan’s call for prayers for better weather also follows comments from Irish Farmers’ Association president Pádraig Walshe that farmers were experiencing the “worst product-price and weather-related income crisis situation in generations”.

He called on banks to support farm families through the difficulties.

The IFA also said the future of grain production in the State was in doubt following two poor harvests with low financial returns.

Meanwhile, heavy rain fell across most of the country again yesterday, with flooding reported particularly in the southern half of the country.

In Co Kerry, flooding was severe in Ardfert, where the Tralee and Abbeydorney roads were particularly badly affected.

Flooding was also reported on the Castlemaine Road in Tralee, and around Waterford city.

The weather has also forced the cancellation of the ISPCA’s annual festival, which was due to take place in Keenagh, Co Longford, on Saturday, September 26th, and Sunday, September 27th.

The event was to attract thousands of animal welfare supporters from around the country and is a vital fundraiser for the charity.