Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney paid a visit to lovely Ardmore on Friday last to perform the official opening of a new enterprise established by a former college acquaintance of his, Kilworth man Denis Collins, and his wife Bridget.

Ardmore Open Farm at Ballykilmurry opened to the public during the summer but it wasn't until last Friday, September 13th that the official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place before a crowd of over 100 invited guests.

Denis and Bridget are both involved in the family business of Collins O'Meara, Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents, Pearse Square, Fermoy. Denis also works as an agricultural consultant in FBA House in Fermoy. The open farm is built on land that was owned by Bridget's parents, John and Mary Colbert in Ardmore and is set on 22 acres, with 16 dedicated to the open farm, leaving room for expansion in the future.

The couple were lucky in that the sun shone down on their venture right throughout the summer, greatly helping them in their first season in business. However, the weather was less cooperative on Friday last, with a steady drizzle making it difficult to fully appreciate the very fine facilities the couple have established.

DREAM BECOMES REALITY

"It started as a bit of a pipe dream," Denis said of the development. The reality it became was there for everyone to see on Friday last, a top class open farm that is both an entertainment centre and nature education centre. More than a year's research was conducted into the market and the types of animals and other entertainment of most interest to the general public, before Denis and Bridget went ahead with their ambitious plan which took three years in all to bring together. More than 60 different species and a hundred different animals will be on display on the farm.

Denis pointed out that he'd been in college with Minister Coveney and joked that he was glad to see he'd stayed in agriculture! He thanked the designers, engineers and construction team who worked on the project and also paid tribute to Waterford LEADER Partnership for their financial support. "They played a big part," he said.

The Minister said he was likewise glad to see that Denis was still involved in agriculture. Their type of development is all part of a growing agri sector, he said. "It's not just about the Glanbia's and the Kerrygold's, projects like this one make a real contribution to raising the profile as to where food comes from and how farms work."

"This is obviously a significant addition to tourism in beautiful Ardmore," Minister Coveney continued, congratulating Denis and Bridget and everyone involved. "You are taking a risk at a time when a lot of people are not doing so. Well done," he told them. As well as being an interesting and enjoyable place for people to visit, it was also employing people, the Minister pointed out.

The Minister took time out to meet and greet visitors on the day while Denis and Bridget laid on a meal for the guests. Fr Finbarr Lucey from Ardmore blessed the new development.

blog comments powered by Disqus