Latest news with #Patrick
Agriland
8 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Cow comfort takes priority for conventional milking system
Watch: GEA Rapid Exit Parlour reduces milking hours for a Co. Waterford farmer Third-generation farmer Patrick Kirwan is milking 200 homebred Holstein Friesians, supplying Tirlan all year round on his 110-milking platform in Kill, Co Waterford. Up until 2023, Patrick, along with his dad Thomas, his partner and three children, were milking the herd through a 10-unit parlour which was not fit for purpose and or the expansion of the herd. To view the GEA Rapid Exit Parlour in action, GEA and Waterford FRS invite everyone to a farm open day on Thursday, August 7 at Kirwan's Farm, Kill, Co. Waterford (Eircode: X42K751). The Farm Open Day is from 11:00a.m to 3:00p.m. Patrick, who is milking the herd twice a day, said: 'We did a lot of research into types of parlours to consider looking at rotaries and the rapid exit. "We knew we wanted GEA, as our previous GEA parlour had served us well for 20 years. "The decision was made to choose the rapid exit parlour as I felt that with 200 cows, we were not milking enough to justify the rotary and with cow comfort being one of the main priorities, I felt the rapid exit worked best for our set-up.' The 24/48 GEA Rapid Exit parlour improves cow management, operator comfort and milking times, for which each milking takes the Kirwan family approximately 90 minutes, including wash up. The parlour also has a stainless-steel dung tray fitted, which increases operator comfort and reduces wash-up time. Automatic drafting allow the milker to draft cows throughout the milking. Fold-up wash trays at waist height allows easy set-up for washing. IQ clusters are installed, which limit any vacuum fluctuations and are designed to move milk from each quarter with minimum turbulence, with no cross-contamination. Plus, if the cups are kicked off during milking, the vacuum automatically shuts off to prevent contaminants from entering the milk supply. Patrick also has automatic cluster removers, further supporting the efficiency of the parlour. The parlour is fitted with the latest herd management technology, including Metatron DT70 control boxes, which show individual cow data from milk flow to milk quality, including conductivity, which will highlight possible udder infections before any clinical symptoms are showing. All information is forwarded directly to the herd management programme, DairyPlan. The herd are grazed with approximately 5kg of meal fed daily through the in-parlour feeders using feed to yield (FTY). Cows are also buffer fed most of the year. Average yields are about 27L per day at peak. The DairyPlan herd management software used by Patrick is the flexible solution that allows him to manage both his spring and autumn calving groups effectively and easily, ensuring both groups are always fed correctly in relation to milk yield and days in milk. This was one of the most important items for Patrick on any new system installed, as it allows great flexibility when running both groups together. 'A key feature I like is the fact that cows have individual spots in the parlour, making the cows happy and comfortable when they are being milked. "The new shed where we installed the parlour gives us the space for the parlour and the team to milk efficiently. The heifers adapt quickly and settle well through the parlour," Patrick added. The herd are calved in spring and autumn, and to support breeding, Patrick invested in CowScout, which reliably tells him when the cows are ready for insemination. CowScout is GEA's highly reliable and accurate heat detection and health monitoring system. Cows are monitored 24/7 with convenient alert functions directly to the farm computer or phone. Attached to the collars, the sensor provides constant heat monitoring and display of the optimal insemination time. It also notifies of any reduced eating and rumination times to enable early detection of health problems. 'CowScout has taken the pressure off as it is monitoring our cows 24/7 for us. We check the computer and can immediately see periods of high activity for each individual animal. "This provides us with information to provide that cow with the attention required within 24 hours for successful fertility and health management!' says Patrick, who now has reliable animal identification in the milking parlour. 'The support and continued service from Eamon Phelan and the team at Waterford FRS has been really good, and no matter what day of the week, if we need their help, they are there. "We are delighted with the new parlour, making milking our cows enjoyable and rewarding,' concludes Patrick. Waterford FRS have been a GEA dealer since 2010. They cover the south-east of Ireland, with customers in counties Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. Their service includes new installations, service and breakdown cover. They are supported in this by GEA Ireland in sales, spares and technical backup. To register for the Farm Open Day, please RSVP to Eugene Jordon on 0860125518 or by email at
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Patrick Kielty admitted he felt like ‘junior shareholder' in marriage to Cat Deeley
Patrick Kielty admitted he felt like a 'junior shareholder' in his marriage to Cat Deeley. The comic, 54, and the TV presenter, 48, released a joint statement earlier in the week confirming the end of their relationship after 10 years together. Patrick's thoughts on their relationship have now resurfaced, with the stand-up confessing during an episode of The Mid-Point podcast from July 2023 he had less influence in decision making in their marriage than he thought. The Northern Irishman said: 'For a long time I genuinely thought I was in a 50/50 partnership. Then you realise you're actually a junior shareholder in a 50/50 partnership. 'You go, 'I thought we were 50/50 — why do you seem to have more shares?' I think with big decisions you kind of have to float stuff and see how that's going to go.' Patrick and Cat share two sons – Milo, seven, and James, five – and had relocated from Los Angeles to London before the end of their marriage. Reflecting on the decision to return to the UK, Patrick said: 'What was weird about it was it was Cat who more wanted to do that. It was more so her decision. I think being a new mum and not having the family around and not having the network of cousins and brothers.' He continued: 'I think, for me, London is not home. It will never really be home for me. In my head, I still live in a little village in County Down, even though I haven't lived there full time for 30 years. These are the tricks you play on yourself.' Patrick explained that the move was less impactful for him because he already had to travel to see his family. He said: 'Living in London, my family was always a flight away anyway, so that idea of being a longer flight away from LA wasn't as much of a problem for me as someone who had to get a flight to go to see them anyway.' He also spoke about Cat's career in the United States and how the decision to return was ultimately hers. Patrick said: 'I also think because Cat was the one with a successful career out there, she was the one who chose to leave that at the right time, and that's a decision that she made and only she can make.' Asked if the couple were at their happiest, Patrick said marriage required constant effort. He added: 'Things were good but marriage was always something to be worked at. 'The idea of how you work together whenever the rough and the smooth and all those things – that's the most important part.' It read: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment.' His and Cat's break-up statement said: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. 'We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment.'
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Cat Deeley's response to 'bent' marriage before Patrick Kielty wedding ring confession
This Morning presenter Cat Deeley and RTÉ One host Patrick Kielty announced their separation after 13 years of marriage in a joint statement earlier this week Cat Deeley once confessed that her wedding ring wasn't freshly bought for her when she married RTÉ One's The Late Late show host, Patrick Kielty. Instead, the unique item has a sentimental meaning behind it, which dates back to the 1940s. While a guest on the Outspoken Beauty podcast, the 48-year-old dived into many topics about her life including motherhood, her beauty secrets, and her career. On the subject of confidence, host Nicola Bonn said to Cat: "I think a lot of people would say you are a traditional beauty, but I like that, I love imperfections as well. "Like, my wedding ring is bent now and it's got a little diamond missing but I'm like, no, that's like marriage, marriage is a bit bent." Agreeing with Nicola, Cat replied: "Exactly." The This Morning presenter, who fronts the ITV show with Ben Shephard, went on to dive into details about her meaningful wedding ring. She explained in 2020: "My wedding ring is actually my nan's wedding ring. And it says, I think, 'Lil and Jim 1942' in it. "I think my grandad got it from under the counter because there was no gold because it was after the war, so very similar." The on-screen regular and 54-year-old Patrick married at an intimate ceremony in Rome back in 2012, with their close family and friends present. Together they share two sons, Milo, nine, and James, six, who the pair keep away from the public eye. Earlier this week, the long-term couple announced they had separated after 13 years of marriage. In a joint statement, they said via a spokesperson: "We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. "We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. "There will be no further comment." Since the announcement, both presenters have remained silent on their respective social media pages. Cat will also avoid being on-screen as the news settles publicly, due to her scheduled break from ITV amid the summer term. Patrick's last public post about his wife was back in 2024 when she replaced Holly Willoughby on the show. Alongside a reel of pictures of her on Instagram, he wrote: "I didn't know what a morning person actually was until I met this woman. "She gets up every day with a smile on her face. [At] 5.30am, whistling in the shower, smile on her face. "Then downs two coffees, and gives you the look. The 'What the f**k's wrong with you, let's do this'." He added: "It's not a pretend smile. And it's not just some mornings. It's every morning. Which is b****y difficult cos she's married to me. "I should also mention she likes a chat. To anyone. About anything. Anywhere. If there's anyone in the world made for a show called @thismorning, it's this human." Patrick concluded the post by wishing his wife all the best in her new role, and jokingly added: "Strap yourself in @benshephardofficial. And welcome to my world. We couldn't be prouder of you @catdeeley Go get 'em mama!".
Metro
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders legend rushed to hospital unconscious after being pushed
Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) makes a desperate attempt for cash in EastEnders next week – with one resident being hospitalised as a result of his actions. As viewers of the BBC One soap know, Oscar is desperate to evade thuggish associate Fat Mike (Tai Hilferink), who he grassed up to the police for stealing a car. In retaliation, Mike attempted to petrol bomb his house, and has continued to try and seek revenge by leaving a series of threatening messages and, in last week's episodes, left a knife in the kitchen chopping board as a stark warning of what he's capable of. After the two lads came face to face in Monday's instalment, a paranoid Oscar attacked a hooded figure in the hallway of sister Lauren's (Jacqueline Jossa) house, believing it to be Mike. …but it was Peter (Thomas Law)! In upcoming scenes, Mike is back on the scene and announces he needs £5,000 in exchange for Oscar's family's safety. At a loose end with where to find the cash, Oscar makes an attempt at forming a business deal with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), but his attempts fall flat and he has to confess all to Lauren. Will she offer to help? Across the Square, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) has been betting against his fiancée Yolande's (Angela Wynter) wishes, and is on cloud nine to see he and Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) have bagged a whopping £6,000! Yolande is furious – having already warned that she'd call off their upcoming wedding if she found him gambling again – but little does she realise, the money won't be staying in his hands for long. The family are all in The Vic when Oscar foolishly breaks into the Fox-Trueman household in a bid to steal the winnings, but is caught in the act by Patrick. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Desperately to escape, Oscar pushes Patrick to the floor, leaving him unconscious. Just as he makes to leave, Howie returns. Oscar hides and then darts out, and luckily his face hasn't been seen. Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and sister Kim (Tameka Empson) return from the pub and are shocked to discover what's happened. Concerns grow for Patrick when he's rushed into hospital, and as everyone keeps vigil at his bedside, Lauren is suspicious of Oscar's overwhelming worries for a man he doesn't really know. More Trending Later, realising he's planning to leave Walford, she confronts him with the stolen cash. When the police start doing door to door enquiries, Oscar knows that the time is ticking on his new life. Will Patrick be ok, and will Oscar get away with his crime? View More » This article was originally published on 28th July 2025. MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as Vicki reaches breaking point MORE: Patrick's EastEnders wedding in jeopardy as deeply worried Yolande issues a serious warning MORE: Major EastEnders legend rushed to hospital after devastating fall – and a fan-favourite is to blame
Irish Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cat Deeley's heartbreaking regret over lavish wedding to Patrick Kielty
Cat Deeley courageously revealed a devastating moment from before her extravagant wedding to Patrick Kielty. The television hosts confirmed their split earlier this week following over 10 years of marriage. This Morning's Cat, 48, and Irish broadcaster Patrick, 54, first crossed paths whilst co-presenting BBC Fame Academy in 2002. The pair fronted two series of the programme together. The couple wed in Rome during September 2012, merely nine months after beginning their romance. They were joined by 100 guests at an intimate ceremony conducted by Belfast-based priest Father Gary Donegan. Cat had previously disclosed that her grandfather was unable to attend the overseas nuptials due to being too poorly to make the journey. The former pair filmed the proceedings for him, yet tragically he passed away before viewing the footage, reports the Mirror. The star revealed this anguish when questioned about her "biggest regret" by Grazia magazine in 2017. She responded: "He died before he saw it. The good thing is we love it and, after two glasses of wine, Patrick and I put it on like a pair of losers." Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley met in 2002 (Image: PA) Supporters of the duo were left shocked when wedding details emerged. Particularly since Patrick had refuted engagement rumours just months prior to their vows. Cat even picked out her wedding dress before the couple were planning to walk down the aisle. Speaking on Lorraine in 2021, she said: "Mine [wedding dress] is in the cupboard somewhere but I'd actually already got my dress before... It wasn't because I was feeling lucky, I promise! It was a couture dress from Alexander McQueen - a shift white dress. "It was so beautiful that I just couldn't not buy it and I hadn't even met Paddy at that stage. I literally put it in my cupboard and I was like I'll wear it to something... I'll wear it to some awards. There you go." Parents to two children, Cat and Patrick have recently announced their split, stating: "We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved." Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley married in 2012 (Image: Getty Images North America) They've asked for privacy as they navigate this change: "We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment." Cat rose to fame while presenting SM:TV Live alongside Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. While she met Patrick in 2002 on Fame Academy, the pair didn't become romantically involved for almost a decade. Patrick, an RTE presenter, credits a grand romantic gesture for winning Cat's heart, as he shared with The Daily Mail: "Unless someone was stupid enough to get on a plane, nothing would have happened. "Cat was in LA and I was in Northern Ireland, so I texted her to wish her a happy birthday. When she said she was having a birthday lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel, I said I'd be there. She told me to go to sleep as I was drunk. "That was 2am. I got up at 5am, went to Belfast airport for 6am, got the 7.15am flight to Heathrow, landed at 8.30am, took off again at 9.40am and arrived in LA at 1.15pm." The pair had been living in America whilst Cat was presenting So You Think You Can Dance. They nevertheless moved back to the UK in 2020.
