Stephen gets naked for novel Irish Farmer Calendar
Stephen Hamilton from Ballaghaderreen who features in the calendar. Pic. Frances Marshall
A Ballaghaderreen man appears in the latest edition of ‘Irish Farmer calendar’ which features glamour photographs of what are being described as “hunks of agricultural charm” from around the country.
The calendar, now in its 14th year, is back by popular demand and one of its stars is Roscommon man Stephen Hamilton from Aughalustia, Ballaghaderreen.
Featuring images of farmers from the last 13 years shot in locations over six counties, the 2024 calendar is a ‘Fans’ Favourite’ edition compiling the best shots most popular with its fans.
Stephen’s photograph with rabbits in a bed was taken in 2015 at a photoshoot in Kildare, appearing in that year’s calendar and now making a comeback. “I never thought that picture would come up again but here we go!” he laughed.
His opportunity to appear back in 2015 was first prompted by a friend who had appeared in a previous edition. “I put myself forward and I didn’t think I’d get called! I got the p**s taken out of me at the time but it was all good fun”, he said.
Stephen grew up on a farm with his nine other siblings and parents, Rose and Martin. Since the calendar appearance, Stephen has moved away from agriculture and has worked in a number of different sectors such as science and the performing arts. He is now based in the UK and works in a fertility clinic.
The 2024 edition of Irish Farmer Calendar also features farmers from Cork, Wexford, Dublin, Tipperary and Kilkenny.
Creator of the calendar series, Ciara Ryan said that the calendar had always been a quirky head-turner, previously beating One Direction, Conor McGregor and Justin Bieber in the calendar charts, not to mention Cliff Richard and Daniel O’Donnell and achieving international recognition with ‘Irish Farmers’ the book, published by McMillan (Dan Brown, Jackie Collins publisher) in the US. Stephen also appeared in that book.
The calendar has received orders from the US, Australia, UK, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, with an international audience hungry to see the charms of Ireland’s farms.
Ciara Ryan explained that 2023 was to be the final edition of the calendar “but the fans cried out for more and as a result the ‘Fan Favourites’ edition was born”.
Further information and how to purchase an edition can be found at www.farmercalendar.com.
