Farm Visits for Artists

Gerry Bohan is a Leitrim-based farmer managing a farm that has been in his family for seven generations. He took over in 2000 and operates a 40-acre farm with suckler cattle and hens. The land consists of free-draining soil, wet lowland, drumlin soil, and reclaimed bog. A quarter of the land provides high-quality meadow grass for winter fodder. Like many in the area, the farm transitioned from dairy to suckler cows in the 1980s due to economic and environmental challenges.

Soil structure is crucial for farming mixed-quality land. Over 300 metres of hawthorn hedging have been planted, and additional hedging was laid under the "Acres Scheme." Seven acres have been set aside for conservation, including reclaimed bogland. Despite many badger setts in the area, TB has not been an issue.

Gerry's land holds historical significance. A Neolithic burial tomb, recognized as a national monument, is located on his farm and has been fenced off for protection. His townland, Aughadrumcairn, means "the field on the hill of the mound of stones." Stories about the tomb and local history have been shared on the Ray D’Arcy show and local radio as part of the folklore project "Amach to the Field" (2023). Some of these stories featured in his book The Clainings Tree first published in 2023. Flax buried in his bog by family members following a market collapse during famine times remains preserved and usable.

Gerry stays engaged with farming networks while balancing his work with heritage projects and other creative projects.

Dolores Byrne is a Leitrim-based farmer with over 45 years’ experience. She co-manages the family farm with her brother, a property that has been in their family for over a century. Farming is a part-time role for Dolores, as she also teaches ecology at ATU Sligo, using the farm as a learning lab.

The farm is classified as high nature value farmland, consisting of species-rich grassland, bog, oak woodland, and water. Cattle are out-wintered, meaning they remain outdoors year-round. With a low stocking rate of 0.5 livestock units per hectare, careful rotational grazing is practiced. Some fields are mowed in early July, while others are grazed at different times.

Biodiversity is a priority. The farm supports a thriving population of the protected marsh fritillary butterfly. The woodlands are left untouched, fostering deadwood habitats and supporting rare plants like the bird’s nest orchid. The area is also home to red squirrels, pine martens, foxes, and diverse bird species. Japanese knotweed, an invasive species, is controlled using glyphosate.

Dolores has played a role in developing results-based biodiversity payment schemes for farmers where the farm served as a testing ground for scoring systems now used in ACRES, a national conservation programme.

Barry Connolly is an organic market gardener and farmer in Fermanagh. With over eight years’ experience farming in Ireland and France, he previously ran Pure Rare Organics near Belfast and completed an MSc in Organic Farming in 2024. While he works part-time as an orthodontist, his true passion is organic agriculture.

His family farm, established in 1920, spans 80 acres. Barry’s father, originally a suckler cattle farmer, now buys and finishes around 60 weanlings annually. Barry has set aside five acres to establish a fruit and nut orchard, forest garden, syntropic permaculture orchard, market garden, and a tree nursery. He aims to create a diverse, self-sufficient farm that moves beyond traditional cattle farming.

Committed to sustainability, they stopped using synthetic fertiliser, reseeded 25% of pasture with multispecies mixes, make compost from farm waste, planted a willow coppice, and restored a pond and hedgerows to enhance biodiversity.

The land has historical significance, featuring a 500m stretch of the old Ulster Canal, a preserved stone bridge, an ancient rath, and nearby Neolithic sites. It also borders the River Finn and Upper Lough Erne.

Barry’s farm blends tradition and innovation, focusing on regenerative, diverse, and ecologically sound agriculture. His vision is to showcase Ireland’s potential for sustainable food production while protecting the environment and cultural heritage.

Jane Corrigan helps manage her family’s 400-acre farm in Fermanagh, alongside her brother and 80-year-old father. The land stretches from the shores of Lough Erne to Lough Navar Forestry, combining wet, heavy ground with diverse natural habitats. The farm has been in the family since the 1930s, with various plots acquired over time. Jane, who previously lived in England, returned home in 2020 to support her father. She has a background in Fine Art and Design Technology, working part-time as a teacher while continuing to farm.

The family farm focuses on beef suckler cattle and sheep, with births occurring from March to April, aligning with natural seasons. Their approach is extensive rather than intensive, using low-input, nature-friendly farming. The land includes species-rich areas, forestry, and foreshore, supporting a variety of wildlife and biodiversity. The family works closely with environmental organisations to maintain sustainable practices.

Beyond farming, Jane’s father is a well-known community figure, involved in cross-community and historical groups. Their home is a traditional cèilidh house, often welcoming visitors at all hours. The land is rich in history, with old farm dwellings, folklore, and stories of fairies, political events, and ghostly sightings. Fields have inherited names and legends, keeping the past alive. Their farm is more than just land—it’s a living tapestry of nature, history, and community, where sustainable agriculture meets rich storytelling and heritage.

Bernard Flanagan has been farming since 1970 on land that has been in his family for over 200 years. While he previously worked in forestry, a bakery, and as a school caretaker, he is now retired and focuses on breeding ewes. His 43-acre farm, located on Rossmore Point in Lough Melvin, is a designated priority habitat with rare wet grassland plants, making it a site of interest for botanists.

Traditionally, the farm housed suckler cows, sheep, and horses, but today it is managed primarily for sheep farming and biodiversity conservation. The hay meadows are still traditionally managed, though with modern machinery. The land is rich in wildlife, attracting Canadian Geese, White-Fronted Geese, and Whooper Swans, and features species-rich grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. Bernard has always participated in environmental schemes and takes pride in managing these habitats.

The farm is steeped in history, once a key poitín smuggling site in the 1800s. It contains a derelict famine-era dwelling, an old grotto with Latin inscriptions, and artifacts dating back to 1898. It overlooks McClancy Castle, protected by the Spanish Armada in 1588. The area is rich in monastic history, with visible sites linked to the Four Masters and Inish Temple Church.

Fossils, ancient tools, and artifacts have been found on the farm, some of which are now in a museum. Bernard is deeply passionate about preserving both his land’s natural and historical heritage, blending farming with conservation and storytelling.