The Cow Book is John Connell's personal account of growing up on a family farm, but it is also a lot more than that. It covers topics such as mental health, emigration and nature and provides an insight into modern-day rural Ireland.

"It's a story of my life, coming back to live in rural Ireland after being an immigrant for ten years, the history of cows and also about food and philosophy. There's a little bit in there for everybody."

John has suffered from depression and says that returning to the family farm has been central to his recovery. He left left Ireland at 20 and studied in Australia, going on to have a successful career as a journalist. But, he says, "I always had a loneliness for home."

"It's part of my culture and even when I was travelling around the world I always wanted to come home, but it was only when I was dealing with my own mental health that I found solace in returning to what I knew."

He had never had issues with depression before, but going through his own difficulties reminded him of how little mental health was talked about in Irish society when he was younger: "Men of our age didn't have the emotional language or understanding to talk about it. Thankfully that's all changed now."

John's depression began with panic attacks while splitting his working life between a production company and two broadcasting companies. He says that stress and overwork are his triggers.

Returning home to Longford, he wrote a novel, The Ghost Estate, about the economic crash. This allowed him to focus on creativity, which helped him in his recovery. He also credits his family and local community for their emotional support.

"We hear a lot about rural isolation and people being fragmented but that wasn't my experience. Everyone was so generous and giving to me."

Although farming can be tough, it's something John feels perfectly at home doing.

"Farming is a 24/7 job, but if you talk to any farmer they will say it's the best job there is because you are out in nature and working under your own devices. There's something very freeing in that. Cities are great, they give you careers, opportunity and food for your head, but not always food for your soul."

He also details his appreciation for cattle in the book.

"The cow is an overlooked animal but is really important. Cows have been part of the family of man for 10,000 years. It's the only animal that changed our evolutionary makeup."

"Cattle are the foundation of our society. They sustained us."

Despite his success as a writer, John continues to see farming as an important part of his life: "I think living in nature is a great thing. It's my culture, it's what I know."