Family fun as Catherine opens Glen Keen farm

A WELL-KNOWN and respected figure in the tourism and hospitality trade in the Westport region, Catherine O’Grady Powers is pulling on her wellies down on the farm these days. She and her husband Jim have opened the gates at Glen Keen farm and are inviting the public to come and visit one of Ireland’s largest sheep farms, situated along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The area is designated by Europe as a special area of conservation for its natural beauty, unique habitats and wildlife. Glen Keen Farm is unique in Ireland due to its size, location and natural beauty and is one of the largest farms in the country’s agri-tourism offering. Over 1,400 acres in size, this single family-owned sheep farm, with a commonage footprint that extends to over 5,500 acres, is larger than some national parks.

Glen Keen is located six miles from Louisburgh on the Leenane road, Mayo’s front door to the Delphi Valley, Killary Harbour and Connemara. Glen Keen offers a whole farm experience - meet the animals, cut some turf, see sheep herding in action and also shearing, if it’s that time of year. The farm also boasts a visitor centre and children’s play area and you can also enjoy nature walks, peatland habitats, archaeological sites, a famine walk and demonstrations.

Nestled at the bottom of the Sheffrey Mountains, the visitor centre has a capacity for 250 guests and features traditional tearooms, a craft shop stocked with Irish handmade art and crafts and an historic photographic exhibition. An extensive menu of traditional Irish dishes all carefully handcrafted on site.
The history of the farm has been traced right back to the 1640s and it’s a fascinating story with many twists and turns over the centuries from then until its new direction being steered by Catherine and her husband Jim.

See www.glenkeenfarm.com.