With the opening of the new design and screenprinting studio at the Old Rectory, just a mile away, we are now offering short stay accommodation during some of their courses. The studio hosts a range of courses for adults and kids alike covering topics such as screenprinting for fabrics including fashion wear, diy gardening, life drawing, cookery etc.
For more information and details about all upcoming courses please visit www.theoldrectory.ie

Back on the farm as we prepare for the lambing season,we can look back at 2009. The weather was kind and dry for the lambing in April although the lambs had to put up with some extreme weather in their first month, however with an abundance of grass they thrived. The new rams, a texel and a blue dumaine, showing up well in their progeny. This autumn we have kept back over 40 ewe lambs some of which have gone to another new ram, a lleyn. The lleyn breed originates from Wales and this rams breeder spoke to his flock in welsh, he also spoke french to his saler cattle.

The goose is alive and well as are his three duck companions. Age must be creeping up on them as we do not see as many eggs as previously. We added to the hen flock with some colourful new birds but sadly their numbers went down very quickly due to over zealous herding from Jock the sheepdog, another few hens came as commercial rescue hens. Now after two months they are just beginning to feather up and look a bit more cheerful. Sandy the connemara pony has reached the grand age of thirty two and seems as well as ever. For the first time we have a waterproof rug ready for him if we feel he needs extra protection this winter.

The little wild life paddock continues to attract a wide variety of birds, much more than the official Linnet area set aside for birdlife. We have seen a barn owl twice in the last month, with such a decline in so many species this is good news and an owl expert is hoping for further sightings and study. After such a wonderful long Indian summer thoughout September and October the weather soon turned considerably colder with an abundance of snow over late December and the New Year. Besides the occasional tobaggoning trips down the avenue, there is still plenty to do outside. We check the ewes and lambs, mend fences, log and split the boughs that the tree surgeon has cut down, collect the bumper crop of apples and plan ahead for next year when we look forward to seeing friends back and welcoming new visitors too.