Offaly community mourns farming activist who helped many and loved community
There was widespread mourning in the Kinnity area and further afield when it was learned that popular local man Ivan Sheppard had passed away on July 1 at the age of 79.
A farmer by profession, Ivan ran his dairy and suckler farm on the outskirts of Kinnitty for many years. He loved farming and he loved the picturesque location of his farm with its fine views of the Slieve Bloom hills.
Ivan was also very well known for being an energetic activist who campaigned for farmers’ rights for many years.
He was born on September 5, 1943 in Lismooney, just outside Kinnitty and he inherited the family’s small farm, which the family had obtained in 1922. It was a 36 acre holding which he expanded over the years.
His daughter Trudy, remembering her father shortly after he died, commented that Ivan was a person who was happy when he was doing something for someone else; such as the hundreds of thousands he raised for many charities and projects, including the Community Centre and the Church in Kinnitty; or when he was repairing a 60 year old tricycle for the next generation, for his grandson, Tommy.
“Dad had a very deep commitment,” she said, “a passion to help and to make positive changes for the agricultural community. He strived to effect this change through his work with the IFA. Thousands of farming families benefited from the work Dad did for Disadvantaged Areas. He often gave helpful advice to farmers.”
Trudy pointed out that Ivan was a deeply committed community man and he loved sharing his knowledge of the area. He was often seen at Kinnitty’s much-admired Pyramid engrossed in conversations with visitors.
Trudy added that what kept Ivan going through his busy life was “the love of his life, Dorothy. After many years of marriage they were as happy and in love as on the day of their wedding. For their children, the love, respect, encouragement and fun that Mam and Dad shared gave us a remarkable foundation in life for us to find our own contentment and we know how proud Mam and Dad are of their family, grandchildren and great-grandson. They also both turned out to be excellent childminders of their grandchildren. Not a day went by when Mam and Dad didn't have a visit from their grandchildren next door and up the road.
“We all didn’t stay local, but that didn't stop Mam and Dad from spending time with their Australian grandchildren. They enjoyed visits to see them and of course, loved when Keith brought his gang home. We are so fortunate that Keith and the girls were here to see Ivan before he went into hospital. Dad always gave time to his loved ones and loved kisses and cuddles and letting them comb his hair and beard, never his eyebrows though!
“Ivan was a man who stood out from the crowd; not just because of his Santa Claus-like features or hearty laugh but due to the tremendous amount of support he provided for his family, friends and farming community.
“Dad was the go-to man for so many people. His siblings relied on him to drive them to hospital appointments in the city; both his brother and best friend lost their wives much too soon to cancer and it was Dad who kept them going; extended family members going through difficulties benefited from his support; local farmers came to him for advice.
“Over the past few days, we have heard so many lovely words from people all over the country, such as 'I only met Ivan twice, but he made a lasting impression on me' - whether he was singing ‘How much is the doggy in the window?’ or confronting EU leaders and Irish politicians! One thing is for sure - no one will ever forget him.”
Ivan loved travelling. He visited many countries in Europe and Africa. He visited the Caribbean and Bali. One of his more interesting trips was a visit to Hutt River Province, Australia in 2015. There Ivan met a colourful, larger than life character who called himself Prince Leonard of Hutt River Province. On the occasion of his 89th birth Prince Leonard said he would bestow a number of awards. One of them was bestowed on Ivan, who was given the rank of Commander in the Illustrious Order of Merit for his service to agriculture and his local community. Hutt River Province was a micronation in western Australia which claimed to be an independent sovereign state. It was dissolved on the 3rd of August 2020. Ivan was fascinated when he learnt about this unheard-of land. In February 2015, at the age of 72, he and his youngest son set off at 3am from their base in western Australia to visit Prince Leonard. He was fascinated by what he saw and learned.
In the 1990s, Ivan was National Chairman for Rural Development in the Irish Farmers' Association. Some might say that it would have been better if he had received specific formal education to prime himself for this role; but he had qualities which trumped formal education, such as commonsense and a deep instinct for what is right and just. He confronted national and international politicians in a bid to secure better payment and allowances for farmers struggling to make a living from nearly-unworkable land. And he succeeded. He prevented hundreds of farmers from giving up on their family farms and fleeing the country in search of employment. He was one of those excellent people who helped steer the path of farming in Ireland from despair to hope.
Ivan wasn’t one of those, whose numbers are legion, who are solely motivated by the quest for financial gain. His motivations came from other sources. A vivid example of this was the charity work he did over the years. At the age of 55, he decided to sign up to a 100km trek in Malawi to raise funds for the local farmers in the area. He was also involved in local developments promoting tourism in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. He was involved in the reconstruction of the old school house in Kinnitty, which is now open as a Community Centre and stands as a valuable asset for the community. He passed on his passion for charity work to his children and helped his youngest daughter to fundraise for a house building trip in Haiti.
He held the position of IFA ‘s National Rural Development Chair from 1992 to 1995 – a position he held with distinction. Under his remit as National Chair of the Rural Development Committee, he steered all aspects of Rural Development, mainly schemes including Reps 1 which was introduced in 1994; this underpinned farm income. Ivan was instrumental in shaping the Disadvantaged Area Program – now known as Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), He was also involved in the Leader Programme.
He was elected unopposed to the position of Chair of Offaly IFA in 1997. He also served as branch Officer in many roles in the Kinnitty Branch of Offaly IFA.
Ivan received IFA Honorary Life Membership from IFA for his dedication, commitment and contribution to the organisation both locally, nationally and at European level in supporting farmers' rights and Income.
His working life began at the age of just nine years when he gained a summer job with the forestry department’s nurseries in Kinnitty Castle. “We earned three pounds twelve shillings and six pence,” he recalled, during an interview with the Midland Tribune in May 2005, “when a man’s wages was five pounds."
He was educated locally and in the technical school in Birr. However, a severe bout of pneumonia impacted on his secondary education.
At 16 he went to work in P. & H. Egan’s shop in Kinnitty – then under the management of A.J. Bradley – which he had many fond memories of. “The shop opened at 10 in the morning,” he remembered, “and closed at 10 at night and I was always able to fit in two to three hours farming during that time.”
Subsequent jobs included working for six years in Mahon’s hardware and grocery store in Roscrea and for 12 years in van sales selling bread and confectionary throughout the midlands. “We collected the bread at 4.30am,” he said. “Then I did a few hours farming before getting the van on the road.” His days were sometimes 18 hours long.
Ivan’s passion for rural Ireland also led him to become involved in the Slieve Bloom Rural Development Society, an organisation which was devoted for many years to promoting the Slieve Blooms as a tourist amenity. He was also Chairman of Ely O’Carroll Mid Ireland, a group which played an important role in the development of tourism throughout Offaly and other Midland counties during the ‘90s and 2000s.
Ivan remained deeply committed to his community up to the very end. Only last May he raised funds for the restoration of the bell in Kinnitty Church. “Where many people,” said Trudy, “would have opted to get an electric bell system installed, Dad decided to raise funds and get the wooden frame repaired.
“Dad also loved going to Dan and Molly’s in Ballyboy for a pint of guinness and a whiskey. The last time he was in Dan and Molly’s was on May 28 at the launch of his daughter in law Ann’s fundraiser for Hospice and the Ashling Murphy foundation.”
Ivan passed away peacefully on July the 1st, in the loving care of St James's Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his brothers Derek and Robert. As well as the beloved husband of Dorothy he was the dearly loved father of Keith, Jane, Alan, Ian and Trudy and their spouses Catherine, David, Ann, Sarah and Ray. He is sadly missed by his heartbroken family, sisters Valerie and Margaret, sister in law Vivienne, grandchildren: Chloe, Luke, Cian, Katy, Piper, Abbie, Scarlett, Amber, Jessie, Harry, Eliza, Ollie, Tommy, Robbie, Ciara and Missy and great-grandson Seamie, extended family and friends.
His remains reposed in Kinnitty Community Centre on Sunday, 2nd July, from 6pm until 9pm. There were prayers at 9pm. The funeral took place on Monday 3rd at 2pm in St. Finian's Church, Kinnitty, and the burial was afterwards in St Flannan's Cemetery, Kinnitty.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.