In the age of egg vending machines, refillable milk bottle stations, and even lockers for sourdough, the direct connection to the producer and where our food comes from is prominently important.
We go directly to the source - to bakeries for our freshly-baked goods, straight to the cheesemonger for the best cheeses and visit the local butcher for the best meats.
Family-run farm shops, many with cafés attached, offer the perfect link to where our food comes from with a bounty of local vegetables, fruit and other weekly essentials, often at market prices. Here are ten to check out across the country…
Killruddery Farm Shop, Bray, Co. Wicklow [A98 W9F2]
In a converted farm building in the main yard of the 800-acre estate and working, bio-diverse farm on the edge of Bray, the farm shop at Killruddery brings together the bounty from the walled garden, wider farm and local Wicklow producers. Everything from freshly-baked pastries and breads and pre-made meals to fresh vegetables, pork and lamb straight from the farm as well as flowers, pantry items, books, homewares and garden bits. Open daily from 9am until 5pm.
McNally Family Farm, Balrickard, North Co. Dublin [K32 RW08]
On top restaurant menus across Dublin City and beyond you will find "McNally's" listed either as a key supplier or as main ingredients in different dishes. Chefs champion this fully organic, family-run farm and clamber over each other to get their hands on its produce but home cooks can snap up their produce too at their farm and adjoining cafe in North Co. Dublin.
Growing across 99 acres, the McNallys have been certified organic for over 25 years and produce through the four seasons so they always have a line-up of top produce, from winter squashes to spring greens, summer tomatoes to autumn beets and cabbages. Don’t miss the bakes, filled baps, focaccia and top coffee from the cafe, either. Open Wednesday to Sunday weekly.
Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim [BT54 6NP]
An award-winning, sustainably-run farm on the north coast, Broughgammon Farm also invites the public in for farm to fork experiences ranging from talks and tours to foraging walks and workshops. The farm shop stocks their ethical meat (kid goat, free range rose veal, pasture-raised pork and lamb) and homegrown vegetables alongside a counter of local charcuterie and Irish cheeses. Situated between Ballycastle and Bushmills - a seven minute drive from the Giant’s Causeway - the farm shop and cafe is open Friday to Sunday weekly from 11am to 4pm.
Spud Shack, Ballymakenny Farm, Co. Louth [A92 V30Y]
Maria Flynn’s lockdown project was to sell directly to customers via a makeshift drive-through potato shack on her family farm. More than just a route to market when the restaurants who championed her heritage potatoes had to close and pivot, it was also an outlet for connection with her customers, old and new and the little shack that could has continued to grow and expand since the pandemic. Maria sells a seasonally rotating line-up of potato varieties and other vegetables they grow on the farm most Saturdays between 10am and 4pm but keep an eye on her Instagram for weekly updates.
The Apple Farm, Cahir, Co. Tipperary [E21 YX33]
Across 40 acres between Cahir and Clonmel, Con Traas grows 60 different varieties of apple in his orchards as well as a wide range of other tree fruits and berries. In the farm shop, visitors can purchase the seasonally available apples as well as a wide variety of products include a range of juices, both sparkling and still, jams, jellies and cider vinegar, all produced on the farm. The shop is open daily until 5pm/6pm.
Green Earth Organics, Galway City [H91 F9C5]
Jenny and Kenneth Keavey’s popular organic veg boxes have been winging their way widely around Ireland via subscriptions and online orders since 2006 but every Saturday Green Earth Organics flings open the doors to its farm shop between 10am and 5pm. Offering an array of fresh organic produce, grocery items, fermented foods, condiments and more, there are refill opportunities and compostable packaging across the board.
Clarke’s Farm, Stamullen, Co. Meath [K32 XA37]
When in season, get your fresh fruit - strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and more - direct from the source at Pat Clarke’s family-run fruit farm in Co. Meath, which first began in the '60s and now extends over 75 acres. They are known for their dedication to quality and stem-picking and hand-selecting only the best fruit to ensure freshness and quality.
Castlemine Farm Shop, Co. Roscommon [F42 W996]
Located five miles from their family farm outside Roscommon Town, this farm shop is focused on butchery, where a small but skilled butchery team dry-age their Angus beef and lamb as well as dry curing their own ham and bacon. Their sausages are hand-made as is their award-winning black and white pudding. What’s more, there is also a selection of ready prepared dishes and meals available to take home from the farm shop kitchen while the shelves come filled with a diverse curation of local Irish products too. Open six days a week (closed Sundays) from 9am to 6pm
Mannion’s Farm Shop, New Ross, Co. Wexford [Y34 VY98]
What began as a small roadside fruit and veg stall 30 years ago has now become a thriving farm shop and fixture just outside the town of New Ross. Expect lots of local produce, seasonal ingredients and handmade goods in the farm shop while they also take their coffee game incredibly seriously too. Open Wednesday to Saturday 8am to 6pm and a slightly shorter day on Sundays (9am - 5pm) weekly.
Newbarn Farm, Ashbourne, Co. Meath [A84 FX28]
Just outside Ashbourne and along the M2, Newbarn Farm Shop sells its fresh, seasonal field vegetables which runs the gamut from sprouts, spring onions, broccoli and beetroot to broad beans, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots. Expect other staples like potatoes, onions, leeks and kale, too in a seasonal rotation. Local fruit from Iona Farm arrives in when in season while salads and herbs come from greenhouses of Rush and Lusk and free-range eggs come from the family’s own flock.
Local meats are also available as well as freshly-baked bread, homemade jams and juices. Open seven days a week until 6pm, don’t miss Neddy’s Coffee shop alongside either which has a menu full of the farm’s own produce and a tempting line-up of cakes and sweet treats.
