Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Accommodation available 2012 National Ploughing Championships in Wexford

It was announced this week that the 2012 National Ploughing Championships will be held in Heathpark, Balinaboola, New Ross, Co. Wexford. This will be just 25 miles (40Kms) from Millknock Farm. With sleeping accommodation for up to 12 people in 10 beds, you won't find better value self catering accommodation in Wexford. See http://www.millknockfarm.com/Prices.html for a full price list.
Exhibitors and ploughing competitors are welcome - arrangements can be made for access to the secure farmyard for truck parking.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Farming at Millknock.

We often get asked if Millknock Farm is a working farm, and the answer is yes, and no!
Millknock farm was an intensive dairy and beef production farm. Facing new regulations, which required significant investment, and lower milk prices, the dairy herd was sold in 1998. Beef production continued until 2001, with our herd of purebred Limousine cattle. Since then the farmyard is largely disused, and the land has been rented out to a number of different farmers.
Most of the land is still in pasture, split between two different farmers. The land across the road from the house is rented by a local dairy farmer, and his cows can be seen here grazing from time to time. The land below the farmyard, and the small field beside the house, are rented by a local sheep and beef farmer. Again, these animals are only here from time to time, and we cannot guarantee when these times will be. The field that can be seen from the kitchen window, and another large field beyond it (which can be seen from the front windows upstairs) are rented by a local arable farmer. This year there is wheat in the small field, and potatoes in the large field. Once the planting is complete in March, the only activity to be seen before harvest in August/September, is the occasional visit from the sprayer. Those guests that are staying here during harvest can avail of free potatoes during their stay!
As well as this, we grow all of our own fruit and vegetables here at Millknock Farm. From the back windows of the house a polytunnel and a fruit cage can be seen. In these we grow, amongst other things, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, lettuce, spring onions, potatoes and peppers. In our garden we have more gooseberries, apples, rhubarb, peas, broad beans, French beans, carrots, parsnips, leeks, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, garlic, onions, and more! This keeps us self-sufficient in fruit and vegetables for most of the year. During the summer months, when the harvest is in, our guests usually have the bonus of fresh, home-grown, fruit and vegetables (at no extra charge), as we give away our surplus! We also use the fruit from the garden to make our own range of jam. This jam cannot be bought in the shops, and is available exclusively to guests at €3.00 for a 1lb jar.