A NORTH DUBLIN farming couple have been selected to open their gates to the public as part of an Agri Aware event taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7,
Beef, Sheep, Turkey & Tillage farmers, Padraic and Bríd McMahon, from Fieldstown Farm, Killsallaghan, in north county Dublin, have been selected as one of four farms to host National Open Farm Day.
This will be the first time in Ireland that farms from across the country will simultaneously open their gates to the public on one day to help educate consumers about what happens on a working farm and to encourage families to learn more about where their food comes from.
Padraic and Bríd McMahon's farm sits on the border between north county Dublin and Meath, with the Broadmeadow and Whitestown rivers running through its fields.
Fieldstown Farm has a rich history and has been in the same family for over 400 years, on Padraic's mother's side.
Padraic grew up on the farm, eventually taking it over as the eldest son, and his mother also still lives in the house where he was reared.
Bríd is originally from Galway but is also from a farming family and so the way of life was nothing new to her.
The couple have one son, Lorcan (15), who helps out on the farm at weekends and school holidays and they also hire part-time workers during busy periods.
The McMahons produce lamb and turkeys, but they also have a number of beef cattle and grow crops in the form of winter oats and wheat.
Much of the food produced on Fieldstown Farm is sold directly to consumers both online and onsite at the farm.
Those visiting the farm to collect their produce love to have a look around and experience first-hand what is involved in the day to day running of a farm.
Padraic is regularly involved in educating the public on how everyday food is produced. He organises the annual 'Flavours of Fingal' county show, as well as bringing sheep and lambs to Bord Bia's 'Bloom' festival in the Phoenix Park.
Both Bríd and Padraic are excited about the opportunity urban dwellers will have to get a taste of rural life at their farm on the inaugural National Open Farm Day.
"People don't think there are farms in Dublin. They are often really surprised," says Bríd.
Chairman Richard Moeran said the event aims to connect consumers directly with the primary producers of our food in a transparent and highly engaging way.
“We hope to open the lines of communication between farmers and the consumers of their products and develop a greater understanding about how the food we eat everyday gets to our tables,” he said.
“The nationwide events will also allow people to experience what day to day life on a working farm involves and the measures farmers undertake to produce safe, quality food in a sustainable way.”
On the day, each of the farms will open their gates to the public from 11am–4pm and each location will offer its own unique programme of activities, full details of which will be announced closer to the time.