The Farm
Our farm is located outside Kiltegan, at the foothills of Keadeen Mountain which is on the south side of the Wicklow mountains. Our family have been farming for generations and we are passionate about continuing this tradition as well as introducing new and innovative techniques, crops and technology.
Currently we run a Dexter cattle suckler herd and a Wicklow Cheviot sheep enterprise, which is full symbol organic, certified by the Organic Trust. As part of our growth into a sustainable future we have incorporated hemp into our regenerative farm system.
Our aim is to provide consumers with healthy, organically grown produce for generations to come.
Animals
Dexter Cattle
Dexters are a native Irish breed. They are a predominantly black cattle but can be red or dun and are a small breed with an average weight of a cow being 300-350kg and standing between 96cm and 111cm at the rump. There are two recognised types, short and non short legged. At Keadeen Mountain Farms we have a pedigree herd of 50 and they graze the permanent pastures of Keadeen mountain.
Our grass-fed Dexter has a distinctive traditional flavour. The dark, rich, red-brown colour is recognised for its quality texture and taste. It is rich in natural vitamins and omega 3 and low in saturated fats. The beef is naturally tender.
All of our animals are registered and fully traceable.
Cheviot Sheep
Our white-faced Wicklow Cheviot are the perfect animals for the hills of Keadeen Mountain, due to their hardiness, ability to forage and motherly nature. They grow well on just grass and produce fat lambs too!
We breed this type of sheep primarily for meat but as they are a dual purpose breed, they are also known for their fine wool.
Wicklow Lamb has always been popular on restaurant menus, we want to focus on bringing this lamb direct to your home.
Hemp
Hemp hasn’t been growing in Ireland for number of years but would have once been grown for its fibres to manufacture rope and textiles. Hemp seed is high in oils for use in food, paint and cosmetics. Anything that can be made from timber or oil, can now be produced from hemp. Hemp grows very quickly and has a tap root that can remove toxins and heavy metals from the soil. We originally started with a fibre crop, and when we felt the soil had been remediated, we switched to a seed crop. We now grow and produce hemp seed oil right here on the farm.
Hemp seed oil is a highly nutritional food, with the perfect balance of omega 6 & omega 3. It’s that 3:1 ratio that makes it ideal for human consumption, but it also has GLA which is a natural anti-inflammatory. It also contains all amino acids including all essential amino acids. It is a polyunsaturated fat oil. The oil can be used in foods such as salad dressing, humus, pesto, spreads, dips and much more.
Because we see a bright future in hemp, we have invested in hemp cultivation, processing and manufacturing equipment to enable us to bring the best of hemp products to the market. These products will include Hemp Seed Oil and CBD and in the future Hemp Protein, Hemp Milk and……..the possibilities are endless.
Tourism and Education
As part of our daily routine we also welcome tour groups to Keadeen Mountain Farms to see a real working farm, the animals up close and a sheepdog demonstration. As well as informative talks on farming practises, hemp cultivation and animal husbandry. These tours vary greatly depending on the time of year and the weather!
From time to time we also offer educational courses on hemp including topics such as license applications, seed varieties, agronomy and harvesting. Keep an eye on our website and social media for details of these courses.