Farmers' Journal to buy The Irish Catholic

[dubsthcentralboy]

From the Indo today...

Farmers Journal sets sights on Irish Catholic

AGRICULTURAL newspaper The Irish Farmers Journal is on the verge of snapping up religious weekly The Irish Catholic.
Neither publication would comment on the deal, however it is understood that the parties have been in talks for several weeks.
The Agricultural Trust-owned IFJ began its spending spree back in 2003 by picking up the Irish Field for about €2.5m.
The figures in the Irish Catholic deal are likely to be smaller, as the publication's 2005 accounts show shareholders funds of just over €630,000.
Most of the company's value is tied up in government bonds and listed investments, which are valued at more than €520,000.
The newspaper has historically made profits, but in 2005 it made after-tax losses of about €3,000. One source said this trend could easily be reversed by increasing the title's cover price from its current €1, which is below the price of most Irish weeklies.
"The title has a good core readership of about 27,000 and the readership is a very good fit with the Farmers' Journal," he added.
The Irish Catholic is owned by long term shareholdeers accountant Bill Horgan, Sweepstakes' Paddy McGrath Jnr and Olaf Herschan.
The Agricultural Trust's most recent accounts show an operating loss of €2.5m for the year ended June 2005.
The company's net assets stood at €1.4m at the end of the period, including more than €90,000 in cash.

[Indyjoe]

Interesting.
There are some very good writers for the Irish Catholic, but they have also published factually incorrect articles in the past, and have refused to make corrections or publish the letters of those who wrote in and complained.

[dubsthcentralboy]

Interesting.
There are some very good writers for the Irish Catholic, but they have also published factually incorrect articles in the past, and have refused to make corrections or publish the letters of those who wrote in and complained.

That's very bad. I sense that there's a certain Conservativeness in the editorial. Who are some of the writers apart from David Quinn who is very well known and a newer character, Michael Kelly, who seems to pop up on radio all the time representing The Irish Catholic and he's been in the Indo and the Times writing on religious stuff

[BarryW]

Farmers Journal sets sights on Irish Catholic

That must rank as one of the strangest media acquisitions in a long while.

But I swear to God, if that pompous ass David Quinn starts appearing in the FJ, then I'll never lift a copy of it again

[alonso]

ah yeh "sacred cows", "fattened calves" and "lamb of god"... The headlines write themselves??

[dubsthcentralboy]

ah yeh "sacred cows", "fattened calves" and "lamb of god"... The headlines write themselves??

lol

[dubsthcentralboy]

It's true that Quinn is a pompous ass, but he's good at what he does. I actually bought a copy of the Irish Catholic today just to see. Quite a lot of political coverage. Detailed reports on Dail and Seanad debates. Not what I was expecting, excluding all the spiritual stuff it's actually a good read.

[dubsthcentralboy]

From the Indo this morning

Catholic paper bought by Farmers' Journal
THE publishers of the 'Farmers' Journal' have bought the 'Irish Catholic' newspaper.
The Agricultural Trust, which also publishes the 'Irish Field', is expected to complete the sale by the end of the summer.
The staff of the independent Catholic weekly were told of the buy-out yesterday by Mr Bill Horgan, the chairman of the Irish Catholic Limited.
No details were given of the sale price, but the newspapers' editorial, advertising, marketing and accounts departments are expected to move, in the coming weeks, to the Agricultural Trust's headquarters on the Naas Road.
The Irish Catholic, has a circulation of 27,000 and employs three staff journalists, editor Garry O'Sullivan, and reporters, Michael Kelly and Paul Keenan.
Freelance contributors include Irish Independent columnist David Quinn, who was formerly editor of the 'Irish Catholic'. Mr Matt Dempsey, the managing director of the 'Farmers' Journal', is to meet the members of staff next week when they will be given more information about the future of the company.
It is independent of the Irish Hierarchy but its editorial role generally reflects the conservative views of its readership, though in recent years the newspaper has been critical of the secrecy operated by bishops in their running of church policies.
The Irish Independent understands that news of the sale will come as a surprise to the bishops.
It also understands the Agricultural Trust considers that the newspaper has the capacity to expand under new management.