Tannaghmore Rare Breeds Animal Farm and Gardens, situated near Craigavon in Northern Ireland, is one of the hard working public attractions open year-round to promote UK rare breeds, including the Galway sheep.
Farm Supervisor Richard McKitterick tells us about Tannaghmore: "The farm is open to the public 364 days a year and is owned by Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, offering close encounters with many breeds of farm animals. These include traditional breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry, many of which are now rare and close to extinction. We are currently the only Rare Breeds Survival Trust Approved Farm Park in Ireland and are working on active conservation breeding programs to help preserve these breeds for future generations. The farm provides school and community group tours, as well as working with the Councils Conservation Department to reclaim and manage species rich grass lands. We graze Council owned and maintained lands which include Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, and some of the Councils Parks and old landfill sites."
Galway sheep
Richard continues: "One of the breeds we use are Galway sheep. We chose this breed as they are a native Irish breed and are perfectly suited to our climate. The ewes have great longevity, consistently producing good lambs off marginal land. They are low maintenance, low input stock, easy lambing with a great maternal instinct and have a fantastic docile nature which makes them easily handled and ideal for our open farm."
Learn more
To learn more about Tannaghmore Rare Breeds Animal Farm, click here to visit their website.
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