Higher Ground' features two hill-farmers and explores the connection between land and community.

Rural communities have always worked hard and relied on each other to survive, it is a way of life that fosters strong bonds and rich traditions.

Modern farming practices have caused a rapid decrease in those communal traditions, but a new sustainable hill farming initiative has helped bring farmers together again.

The film also touches on the insecurity of life, under the violent oppression experienced in Ireland in the early twentieth century.

Further info on the farmers featured:

Tommy Ryan is a farmer in his late 80s from Mount Leinster, The Blackstairs, South Carlow, Ireland. His aunt was arrested and jailed by the Black and Tans when she was just fourteen years old.

Martin Shannon is the Chairman of the Blackstairs Farming Group, Rathanna, Co. Carlow. They succeeded in gaining European funding for a highly successful sustainable hill farming project in the Blackstairs Mountains.