Grace has her feet firmly on the ground
PALLASKENRY mother-of-three Grace Flynn, is set to make her small screen debut on the third series of TG4 farming reality series Feirm Factor, on this Sunday.
Having inherited a 68 acre farm in Pallaskenry when her mother died two years ago, Grace noticed an ad for the ‘As Gaeilge’ show, and applied.
Her first attempt was unsuccessful, but in 2010, she applied again, made the cut and began filming with the 11 other contestants, three of whom are fluent ‘Gaeilgeoirs’.
The remaining contestants spoke both Irish and English during filming, with subtitles also used.
She told the Limerick Post that Feirm Factor was one of the best things she was ever involved in and that it had provided her with a new lease of life.
“God loves a trier so when I didn’t make it the first time, I applied again and made the third series.
“I have three young sons so I had my hands full, but it was an amazing opportunity to travel around the country and meet many new people.
“We were all different as contestants, there were just two other women and nine men, but we had farming as a common thread among us so we hit it off and are all still in touch”.
As well as working as a part-time farmer, Grace is studying interior design in Newport. With pigs, calves and sheep to contend with on her farm, she faced some new challenges during the filming of the show.
“One of the most difficult challenges for me was driving a big tractor around an assault course because I only drive a tiny Massey Ferguson at home.
“My favourite task was identifying the flora and fauna, something I was interested in as a child”.
Now that the show is wrapped up, Grace isn’t giving anything away on who walked away with the top prize of a Land Rover Discovery 4.
“I did my best but I won’t reveal how far I got. I’d like to retain the element of surprise for the viewers!
“I will say that I was at a disadvantage as I didn’t have the years of experience that the others had, but I was very happy with how it went. “The show gave me a great deal of confidence and let me into acting. I joined the Arra players in Newcastle West and will have my stage debut in April.
“I’m thrilled I did it and would recommend it to any farmer out there”.
RTE’s Maura Derrane, economist and former politician Alan Dukes, and farming expert Seán O’Lionáird, are the judges on the show, which will begin this Sunday on TG4 at 8.45pm.
