A huge congratulations is in order to Donal & Teresa Leahy of Leahy’s Open Farm, who were awarded the Talamh Sustainable Living Award at this years’ RDS Spring Awards ceremony in Dublin last Wednesday.
Leahy’s Open Farm was first established roughly twenty years ago when Eddie and Eileen Leahy took a great leap of faith and diversified into agri-tourism. Twenty years later Leahy’s Open Farm is an ever-growing and expanding favourite for families all over Ireland, and it is now run by Donal & Teresa Leahy.
The award celebrates the huge effort made by Leahy’s Open Farm to diversify and expand as a rural business. Teresa explains that back in the day, the farm would have sustained only a few employees, but having diversified and expanded it is proudly responsible for a huge boost to the local rural economy. Leahy’s Open Farm has an overwhelmingly positive impact on the local economy as it consistently attracts visitors and brings income to the area.
Leahy’s Open Farm boasts a wide range of activities; from daily animal petting times to crazy golf, and even the chance to operate real JCB Diggers! The farm’s variety of fun filled pursuits cater for all ages and interests. A product of their ambition and expansion is the recently unveiled Ice Cream & Chocolate Factory. The factory uses milk fresh from the farm to produce delicious, authentic ice cream and hosts kids’ parties, chocolate workshops and more.
Teresa and Donal were visited by two judges who evaluated the farm as part of the consideration process. According to Teresa they did not expect to win, but were looking forward to making a night out of the awards ceremony anyway. The excitement to hear Leahy’s Open Farm being announced as winners of the Sustainable Living Award was really something else, and the shock and surprise made it all the better for Donal and Teresa who were absolutely delighted to receive their award from Minister Andrew Doyle.
SECAD Partnership is proud to have supported Leahy’s Open Farm through various LEADER funding initiatives as they expanded and diversified over the years. Congratulations once again to Teresa, Donal and all the team at Leahy’s Open Farm for this fantastic achievement.
•Further information on how to apply for support through LEADER or to discuss a project idea, contact SECAD at 021 461 3432 or info@secad.ie
