The role of women in Irish agriculture has traditionally been understated due to the predominance of male farm owners and the preference to transfer farmland to a son or other male relative. A previous EU study into aspects of gender and agriculture across six European countries strongly indicates that the traditional gender role ideology is still very much alive. There was a perception that the situation regarding women may have been improving, however recent statistics highlight that any changes that occurred have been small and that the participation of women in the sector, at ownership level in particular is low. Previous research has identified the many ways in which women’s farm work is essential to the farm business and attempts have been made to bring women out of the shadows of the family farm to illustrate unequal gender relations within farm families. It is argued by researchers and practitioners alike that ideological and cultural barriers to women’s real participation still exist and continue to impact negatively on gender equality.

This study aims to provide a greater understanding of the issues associated with the participation of women in agriculture and how these issues might be addressed in future Rural Development Programme measures. In addition to reporting on the outcomes, the study documents the specific circumstances of a sample of farm women. These circumstances include social, economic, environmental and organisational issues as well as other factors that impact on the participation of women in agriculture. A series of recommendations are proposed to address the issues highlighted.