During Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend Laurel View like to showcase their two passions – one is their well-known equestrian centre, and the other is their herd of pedigree Irish Moiled cattle.You will see horses alongside their strong herd of Irish Moiled, the only surviving domestic cattle native to Northern Ireland. Wife, Linda Davis, gifted her husband Robert his first Moiled cow 20 years ago and the herd grew from there, with the sixth-generation daughter now running with the bull. The equestrian centre based outside Templepatrick has over 30 horses that are used for its popular horse-riding lessons. The venue also facilitates riding for disabled, equine livery, competitions in all equestrian disciplines and also various levels of equestrian training and assessments. Laurel View is also a Social Farm that works closely with Muckamore Abbey Hospital.During Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend Laurel View like to showcase their two passions – one is their well-known equestrian centre, and the other is their herd of pedigree Irish Moiled cattle.You will see horses alongside their strong herd of Irish Moiled, the only surviving domestic cattle native to Northern Ireland. Wife, Linda Davis, gifted her husband Robert his first Moiled cow 20 years ago and the herd grew from there, with the sixth-generation daughter now running with the bull. The equestrian centre based outside Templepatrick has over 30 horses that are used for its popular horse-riding lessons. The venue also facilitates riding for disabled, equine livery, competitions in all equestrian disciplines and also various levels of equestrian training and assessments. Laurel View is also a Social Farm that works closely with Muckamore Abbey Hospital.
During Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend Laurel View like to showcase their two passions – one is their well-known equestrian centre, and the other is their herd of pedigree Irish Moiled cattle.You will see horses alongside their strong herd of Irish Moiled, the only surviving domestic cattle native to Northern Ireland. Wife, Linda Davis, gifted her husband Robert his first Moiled cow 20 years ago and the herd grew from there, with the sixth-generation daughter now running with the bull. The equestrian centre based outside Templepatrick has over 30 horses that are used for its popular horse-riding lessons. The venue also facilitates riding for disabled, equine livery, competitions in all equestrian disciplines and also various levels of equestrian training and assessments. Laurel View is also a Social Farm that works closely with Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend: here are the 14 farms open for the public to visit

By Valerie Martin
Published 11th Jun 2024, 20:37 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2024, 10:02 BST
The Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend (Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16) will give people across Northern Ireland to connect with our vibrant farming community.

Led by the Ulster Farmers’ Union with Bank of Ireland as title sponsor, this year’s programme features 18 working farms across Northern Ireland, shining a spotlight on crucial issues such as food poverty, sustainability, and farm safety.

Throughout the weekend there is expected to be upwards of 15,000 visitors eager to participate in a diverse programme of free activities. Some farms will open to schools on Friday, June 14 with 14 welcoming the public on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16.

The Open Farm Weekend welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy a variety of engaging activities. It aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, providing an opportunity for people to gain insight into the agricultural sector and experience the local farm to fork story.

Here are the farms open to the public:

Farms open on Saturday, June 15:

Armagh Apple Farm, Portadown; Ballylagan Organic Farm, Ballyclare; Beatties Glenpark Farm, Omagh; Brook Hall Estate & Gardens, Derry / Londonderry; Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle; Bullsbrook Farm, Dromore; Castlescreen Farm, Downpatrick; CAFRE Greenmount, Antrim; CAFRE Enniskillen Campus, Enniskillen; Churchview Farm, Castlewellan; Donagh Cottage Farm, Donaghcloney; Jubilee Farm, Larne; Laurel View Farm, Templepatrick; Lislagan Farm, Ballymoney.

Farms open on Sunday June 16:

Armagh Apple Farm, Portadown; Ballylagan Organic Farm, Ballyclare; Beatties Glenpark Farm, Omagh; Brook Hall Estate & Gardens, Derry / Londonderry; Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle; Castlescreen Farm, Downpatrick; CAFRE Greenmount, Antrim; Donagh Cottage Farm, Donaghcloney; Laurel View Farm, Templepatrick.

For more details, go to: www.openfarmweekend.com

The Open Farm Weekend welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy a variety of engaging activities. It aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, providing an opportunity for people to gain insight into the agricultural sector and experience the local farm to fork story.

Castlescreen farm is owned and run by Damien Tumelty and Jackie Gibson located just outside Downpatrick, County Down. Castlescreen produces dexter beef lamb and pork on the farm, butchered on farm and sold directly via a farm shop which is open daily 10am – 7pm. Castlescreen delivers some wellness offerings which are very popular. It delivers goat yoga classes that have been growing in popularity for many years now and is offered as open classes and also as a form of therapy/ healing. They are proud to work with many charities and also offer this as team building. They also offer Equine facilitated Learning with their miniature donkeys.

5. Castlescreen Farm, Downpatick

Castlescreen farm is owned and run by Damien Tumelty and Jackie Gibson located just outside Downpatrick, County Down. Castlescreen produces dexter beef lamb and pork on the farm, butchered on farm and sold directly via a farm shop which is open daily 10am – 7pm. Castlescreen delivers some wellness offerings which are very popular. It delivers goat yoga classes that have been growing in popularity for many years now and is offered as open classes and also as a form of therapy/ healing. They are proud to work with many charities and also offer this as team building. They also offer Equine facilitated Learning with their miniature donkeys.Photo: Released on behalf of Castlescreen Farm

CAFRE is Northern Ireland’s specialist agri-food and land-based college and provides agriculture and horticulture focused education at Greenmount Campus. During Open Farm Weekend the public will have an opportunity to visit the specialist land-based facilities that are used by both students and industry. CAFRE has over 1800 students registered at Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen Campuses, and each year provides support to over 10,000 people working in the Agri-Food industry. During the weekend visitors can view its machinery display, walk in the Walled Garden, see sheep shearing demonstrations, view the dairy centre, hear from dairy advisers, view floristry demonstrations and take a self-guided tour of the nature trail.

6. CAFRE Greenmount

CAFRE is Northern Ireland’s specialist agri-food and land-based college and provides agriculture and horticulture focused education at Greenmount Campus. During Open Farm Weekend the public will have an opportunity to visit the specialist land-based facilities that are used by both students and industry. CAFRE has over 1800 students registered at Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen Campuses, and each year provides support to over 10,000 people working in the Agri-Food industry. During the weekend visitors can view its machinery display, walk in the Walled Garden, see sheep shearing demonstrations, view the dairy centre, hear from dairy advisers, view floristry demonstrations and take a self-guided tour of the nature trail.Photo: Released on behalf of CAFRE

Bullsbrook Farm dates back to the mid-17th century and is run by Roy McMurray who inherited the farm from his parents. Roy is passionate about preserving the unique history and has restored the period house offering visitors a glimpse into how rural dwellers used to live. The farm is home to a beef cattle herd and a small agricultural museum. The farm also has an amazing collection of farmyard implements and equipment – everything from old butter churns to hand operated seed planters.

7. Bullsbrook, Dromore

Bullsbrook Farm dates back to the mid-17th century and is run by Roy McMurray who inherited the farm from his parents. Roy is passionate about preserving the unique history and has restored the period house offering visitors a glimpse into how rural dwellers used to live. The farm is home to a beef cattle herd and a small agricultural museum. The farm also has an amazing collection of farmyard implements and equipment – everything from old butter churns to hand operated seed planters.Photo: Released on behalf of Bullsbrook Farm

CAFRE is Northern Ireland’s specialist agri-food and land-based college and provides agriculture and horticulture focused education at Greenmount Campus. During Open Farm Weekend the public will have an opportunity to visit the specialist land-based facilities that are used by both students and industry. CAFRE has over 1800 students registered at Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen Campuses, and each year provides support to over 10,000 people working in the Agri-Food industry. During the weekend visitors can walk the campus trails (self-guided) to experience the wonderful natural environment, see the environmental enhancement work and its horses. Visit the equitation yard displays, the breeding yard display including the equine racing simulator, see a farrier at work in its farriery unit display.

8. CAFRE Enniskillen Campus

CAFRE is Northern Ireland’s specialist agri-food and land-based college and provides agriculture and horticulture focused education at Greenmount Campus. During Open Farm Weekend the public will have an opportunity to visit the specialist land-based facilities that are used by both students and industry. CAFRE has over 1800 students registered at Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen Campuses, and each year provides support to over 10,000 people working in the Agri-Food industry. During the weekend visitors can walk the campus trails (self-guided) to experience the wonderful natural environment, see the environmental enhancement work and its horses. Visit the equitation yard displays, the breeding yard display including the equine racing simulator, see a farrier at work in its farriery unit display.Photo: Released on behalf of CAFRE

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