Achill Seaside Farm & Training School

Surrounded by sea, lakes & mountains we farm in nature and are perfectly synchronised with the seasons. On our farm we provide high value training opportunities all 12 months of the year for novices, improvers, and students of Veterinary, Agriculture, Agronomy, Butchery, Food Processing, and other related disciplines. The day to day activities on the farm provide excellent teaching and learning opportunities for interested students/trainees/internships/farmstays/volunteers.
We are a busy sheep farm with mares, foals, young stock and sheep dogs.

We have mountain sheep living outdoors all year round in the unspoilt natural landscapes grazing as they go from mountain tops down to the seashore. We herd sheep in with our sheepdogs, for example, to check their health and administer dosing and minerals, for shearing off their wool fleece, and detailed pre-mating inspections. Lambing season is late April May and late lambs are born in June. We also have our own fully compliant on-farm abattoir providing excellent opportunities for teaching and training. On-going fencing, maintenance and repair work. Time is spent on the bog in May and June learning how to harvest turf, fuel for the fire. Shearing takes place in Summer time and Autumn. Winter days are filled with looking after the animals’ needs and is also an excellent time to train and learn by experiencing the real life day to day on a working rural farm.

All year round on-going farming activities are with the sheep, lambs, ponies & working sheep dogs. Our farm awakens in the morning and we spend the day meeting the needs of our animals and general what-needs-to-be-done-tasks. Please be aware training includes the actual rough and tumble of being on a real life living animal farm…manual work…outdoors…sometimes wet…etc.

We may also run training in gardening, producing jams and chutneys and ice-creams, home baking, butchering, depending on demand, the time of year and availability of tutors.

To participate in on-farm training a minimum of one month stay is required and the stay may be extended pending availability. A one week trial period at the outset ensures both sides are happy. We are a warm Irish family living in a small village community with lots of craic and characters. Expert knowledge and skills can be learned here, and perfecting your English is an added bonus with a one hour English class each week.

For candidates who are successful in the application process and who participate in training with us we provide food and self contained accommodation or alternatively you may find and fund accommodation locally of your own choice.

We would love to hear from you. To Apply: Please click on the link at the end of this page Thank you.

Educational Experiences Offered

• High value on-farm teaching and learning experiences
• Quality trainers and experts sharing their expertise and knowledge
• Comprehensive range of subjects and topics covered
• Assessment:
  • on-going practical assessments
  • submission of completed record book
  • 2,000 word written review assignment
• Awarding of Certificate of Achievement: Distinction/Merit /Pass
• Awarding Certificate of Participation: Distinction/ Merit/ Pass

We would love to hear from you please click on this link to apply for a Training Stay. Cheers & Good Luck! Thank you!