Hemp Research In Kerry In The 1960's
By Brian Houlihan
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In 1963 a hemp growing experiment took place in the Kerries in County Kerry. A local farmer named John Dillon worked alongside the local Committee of Agriculture and An Foras Taluntais (The Agricultural Institute) which was the predecessor to Teagasc.
At this time An Foras Taluntais was also looking at the possibility of growing hemp in West Cork. While two years previously they had grown a hemp crop in Carlow.
It’s reported that the hemp in Kerry performed well and reached heights of eight or nine feet. It was also somewhat of a local attraction with visitors said to have travelled miles to see the hemp. Many modern Irish hemp farmers have found such curiosity still exists.
Apparently John Dillion and his son, Garry, spent a lot of time answering questions from those passing by. Seemingly some asked (and hoped) whether this crop would lead to the establishment of a rope and twine making industry in the region.
It’s reported that come harvesting time it was found to be nearly impossible to break the stalks as they were so strong. Again this is something many current farmers will attest to. But by all accounts the experiment was a success.
Earlier in the year a spokesperson for the local committee stated that if the experiment proved successful then Ireland could look forward to creating a hemp growing industry. However, while regarded as a success the committee later suggested that one test alone didn’t provide enough evidence.
A report in The Kerryman in July of the following year highlights one of the problems faced. During a meeting of the local committee of agriculture (on the possibility of a hop growing experiment) the hemp experiment was referenced.
It’s stated that the committee struggled to sell the hemp grown by Mr.Dillon following the harvest. However, the Chairman of the committee Timothy O’Connor, a Fianna Fail TD, did state that he saw the crop and he described it as magnificent.
Now 55 years after this experiment hemp has returned to Kerry thanks to the work of Kate Carmody and others.
In recent years Kate’s name has become familiar to many. An article in the Irish Examiner in 2016 detailed her initial interest in hemp.
Kate also recently helped establish the Irish Hemp Cooperative and is having an open farm on June 6th. Visitors to the open farm will see this years hemp crop
It’s worth adding that in 2016 Michael Healy-Rae, a Kerry TD, criticised the regulations governing hemp. He also stated “There needs to be a reasoned and sensible debate around the benefits of growing hemp, and the financial benefits for any growers.”.
Brian Houlihan is the curator of the Dublin Hemp Museum and regularly writes about hemp. Follow him on Twitter @dubhempmuseum and@houlihanbrian. You can also find the museum on Facebook.
