Our Farm Tour
Biodiversity.
Mountallen Farm hosts a number of varied habitats which in turn allow us to showcase a wide variety of native insect, animal and plant species. Important habitats and species on Tommy’s farm include intact raised bog with rare lag zone, mature native woodland, species rich acidic grassland, Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Large Heath Butterfly, Irish Lady’s Tresses Orchid and Mudwort.
Ecology.
With all these habitats and species on the farm it is possible to show how habitat restoration and conservation have effected and improved both their diversity and quantity over time. Through farm maintenance techniques, restoration initiatives and species recording, we can show how an ecological approach to farming can have a lasting impact on the environment.
Restoration.
Wetland habitat loss is one of the greatest negative impacts on nature. We have been creating and restoring wetlands on the farm for a number of years. In addition the farm has 25 acres of an intact lowland raised bog, which had been caringly restored and continues as a place of research for restoration and conservation of peatlands.
Ear to the Ground.
Could Irish bogs be the solution to our climate crisis?
Our farm was featured on Ear to the Ground in 2019 in an effort to answer this question. We gave presenter Ella McSweeney a tour of the farm and introduced viewers to the effort ongoing with hydrologist Dr Raymond Flynn to uncover the optimum conditions for their raised bogs to grow again.
Pricing
€19 per person
1 - 5 People
€14 per person
5 - 15 People
€9 per person
>15 People
We are happy to cater for individuals, couples, families, small and large groups throughout the year. The tour is on private roads and maintained grass paths, with care being given to ensure a safe environment for children and adults alike.
The plants, birds and insets may vary during the year and depending on the weather, but should it rain we have viewing shelters along the path where we can stand in and continue the discussion.
Tours start at 11am Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays but we will try to accommodate other times/days if farming activities allow.
What People Are Saying
“I was so impressed with Tommy’s vision for his farm, his knowledge and passion for the natural environment and his desire to share the rare species and habitats on his farm with visitors.
Important habitats and species on Tommy’s farm include intact raised bog with rare lag zone, mature native woodland, species rich acidic grassland, Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Large Heath Butterfly, Irish Lady’s Tresses Orchid and Mudwort.”
— Sarah Malone, Heritage Officer, Leitrim County Council
“Tommy is quite unique in his forward vision and concerns for on-farm nature conservation and sustainable farming. He has been undertaking this work since before I first met with him 19 years ago while he was attending a REPS and wildlife presentation. His farm hosts several rare and declining species of flora and fauna, including Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Irish Lady’s Tresses Orchid, breeding and wintering wildfowl and waders including Curlew..”
— John Matthews, Conservation Ranger, NPWS
Tommy has been interested in conservation for many years and when he converted to organic farming with the Irish Organic Association he had the desire to “ensure that the land remained as it was so that when people look back in 100 years the natural habitats and land quality will have been maintained”.
Tommy has recently laid down some pathways around the farm to facilitate the number of visitors, which ranges from schoolchildren to scientists with expertise in plant and animal conservation..”