ABOUT THE FARM HOLDING

The O’Connell family is made up of Mike, Kathryn and their four children.  Mike works part time in the family business, Mike O’Connell’s Menswear, and the other days on the farm.  Kathryn works as a teacher in in Holy Family School, which caters for children with severe/moderate general learning disabilities and students with autism.

The farm is situated between between Mungret and Clarina and comprises 38 acres.  The O’Connell’s keep pedigree cows with calves at foot as well as a Connemara pony and a Welsh pony which is taken to show occasions.  There are also 15 ewes, a ram, broilers, pigs and hens for the family’s own use.

Potatoes, onion, beetroot, cabbage, kale and lettuce are some of the vegetables grown on the farm.

A SOCIAL FARMING DAY

• Continually developing veg plot: tending to raised beds in and out of the poly-tunnel, sowing,  feeding, watering, picking and eating!
• Daily care of farm animals: feeding, watering, grooming, mucking.
• General farm maintenance: maintaining equipment, tending fences.

LOCAL & COMMUNITY INTERESTS

Mike is very involved in the local GAA club.

MY SOCIAL FARMING EXPERIENCE

“We believe social farming is about learning to appreciate the joy of working with nature and animals as well as helping others to be aware of where our food comes from.  One of the nicest parts of the day is the general chit-chat and easy conversation that takes place over lunch where the highlights of the weekend and news of the week are shared.” – Mike O’Connell