Inside the Gate: Colm Gavin's Farm, Co. Mayo

This Inside the Gate Open Farm Day is organised by Farming For Nature and is an opportunity to see visit a farm and see the important work that farmers do for nature in your local community. This event is open to families, and will be held on different farms across the country on Sunday August 30th. You must purchase a ticket to attend as numbers are limited (first come, first served). Adult tickets cost €5 and kids (under 16 y/o) go free!

What to expect

Colm Gavin is an 8th generation farmer, farming in the Bundorragha catchment in Mayo. He farms 90-100 Mayo blackface ewes. The sheep are out on the mountain year-round, grazing the multi-species natural vegetation and maintaining the land. Colm operates an extremely low impact farming system and very few external inputs are required on the farm.

Some highlights may include:

• Meet the farmer and tour the farm.  It will be a comfortable stroll with a few stops on the way.
• See measures put in place to support nature on the farm. 
• See the hillside sheep.
• Come look at our amazing habitats and find out what lives in them - look at different species on uplands farms especially on peatland.
• Citizen science – do a basic insect survey.

Other information:

• We will be walking on rough and possibly wet ground, so good footwear is advisable.
• We have a suitable place outside for a picnic so bring some if you wish. However, the rain here can be pretty significant, make sure that anyone coming is well prepared for weather. Picnic would depend on weather.
• There will be a toilet available.
• This event is suitable for buggies around the farm yard but not elsewhere.
• No dogs allowed.
• Please wear suitable clothing and footwear (this is a working farm). Dress for the weather.

FFN is a non-profit organisation and any money raised is circulated back into the farming community. FFN is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Services.

You have to book a ticket in order to get the location and car parking details.