About the Holding
Gavin and Carol Durkin live on their certified organic farm in Dowra Co Leitrim, which is 124 acres, with a further 65 acres rented. It is a mixed enterprise with suckler cows, sheep, pigs, bees, and Hazel the goat. They produce their own honey on the farm from their 11 hives on site.
They are passionate about the nature around them and are currently working with National Parks and Wildlife to preserve the land, increase biodiversity and provide habitat for the wild animals that live around them. Carol and Gavin are planning in 2023 to get our polytunnel back up and running and grow our own veg again which is something Carol and their children love to do.
Gavin has worked with Leitrim People with disabilities for the last 8 years and has gained a world of experience working with people from all walks of life. Gavin is also a trained first responder and works with the Dora fire brigade.
Carol loves cooking and when the veg is underway will enjoy making delicious lunches with their produce giving service users a farm-to-fork experience.
A Social Farming Day
- In winter the cows are in the sheds, so bedding, watering, and feeding are a necessity. A walk out of the fields to feed the sheep is also a daily routine.
- Lambing in the spring is always an adventure and there is never a dull moment, we don’t have a big flock of sheep so this is always a lot of fun and a huge learning curve.
- During the Summer months herding, sheering sheep, and harvesting are just a few of the jobs we do. We tend to the bees from Spring through to Autumn on a weekly basis and from Autumn into Winter we harvest and jar our honey on the farm.
We love taking a walk around the farm at any time of year, it is a wonderful way to get out into nature and reap the benefits of what is on our doorstep. Meditating out in nature is something that everyone can benefit from and help set us up for any day, we are lucky enough to have Lough Yugan on our doorstep which is a wonderful, peaceful place to relax and have a cuppa.
Local Interests
Gavin has a keen interest in the local GAA club which our children play for. Gavin works with Leitrim People with Disabilities and has great experience working with a diverse group of people from all walks of life. They often have one of Gavin’s service users from LAPWD work on the farm with us. They live beside The Leitrim Way where we enjoy hiking and taking in its breath taking beauty. Lough Allen is just beside us where we swim in the warmer months.