The new book on the history of farming societies in Fermanagh, “A Landlords’ Legacy,” written by Sam Morrow, will be launched next Monday evening, November 24 at Enniskillen Campus, CAFRE.

The book records the contribution made by the farming societies to development in County Fermanagh from the early 19 century until the present time. The farming societies were established by the landlords as a means of bringing about improvement in standards of farming and in the livelihood of the people.

Sam said that displays at agricultural shows demonstrated what was possible to achieve in livestock production, farm and garden produce, craft and home industries. This inspired others to strive in an effort to produce as good as what they saw at the shows. Improved standards of crop husbandry were encouraged through competition at ploughing matches. Over the years, the farming societies faced many challenges, including the ravages of poor weather, the famine, the impact of wars, political unrest, and major changes in the pattern of land ownership. All of these challenges were successfully overcome and the County Fermanagh Farming Society, the only surviving society in the county, is today more successful than it has ever been.

He said the societies have been well served by the people of County Fermanagh. The family names of those who have been prize winners, stewards, committee members and those involved in any way with the running of the shows keep recurring and these are recorded in detail in the 33 chapters of this book.