Aonghusa Fahy’s suckler beef farm in Ardrahan, Co. Galway was a hive of activity on Sunday, June 15, as up to 1,800 visitors from across the region descended on the family farm for Agri Aware’s Open Farm 2025, Future Beef Programme Advisor, Aisling Molloy tells us more about the event.
Hosted for the first time in Galway, the event offered the public an immersive and educational glimpse into the heart of Irish beef farming, and it didn’t disappoint.
From early morning, families, schoolchildren and farming enthusiasts made their way to the 35-cow suckler farm run by Aonghusa Fahy, his wife Olivia, and their two daughters Kayla and Hallie. Blessed with clear skies and a lively atmosphere, the Open Farm event was hailed as a tremendous success by organisers, visitors and the local community alike.
An open gate to education
The event formed part of Agri Aware’s nationwide initiative to bring consumers closer to the realities of food production and rural life. Aonghusa, a full-time Agricultural Science and Construction teacher as well as a farmer and participant in Teagasc’s Future Beef Programme, proved an ideal host – combining practical insight with a passion for education.
“This was about showing people where their food comes from, what it takes to produce quality Irish beef and how sustainability is part of that process,” Aonghusa Fahy said.
“It was brilliant to see so many people asking questions, getting stuck in and leaving with a deeper appreciation for farming.”
Throughout the day, visitors travelled along a nature trail on the farm, with designated learning zones covering key topics such as beef production, biodiversity, water quality and soil health, with experts from Teagasc and ABP available to answer queries. Demonstrations of agri-tech and precision farming tools allowed attendees to see firsthand how technology is shaping the future of agriculture.
Aonghusa Fahy addressing crowds at Agri Aware’s Open Farm 2025 on June 15. Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography
Live demos and family fun
One of the event’s standout features was the series of live demonstrations. Francis Bligh from Teagasc held regular demonstrations throughout the day on how to calve a cow and lamb a ewe, with the life-like models of both proving to be a great hit with adults and children alike.
Francis Bligh commented: “There was great engagement and discussion. Aonghusa’s farm shows the importance of having happy and healthy livestock and having good management and facilities to keep everybody on the farm safe and healthy. The cow simulators helped to encourage conversation among young and old about staying safe on the farm.”
Crowds gathered for sheep shearing demos with Karol Devaney from Sligo and his trusty sheepdog, which were met with enthusiastic applause – especially from younger attendees seeing these rural skills in action for the first time.
Karol Devaney pictured during the sheep shearing demonstration at the Agri Aware Open Farm 2025. Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography
Chef Eoin Sheehan delighted audiences with live cooking demonstrations, preparing beef dishes that showcased the taste and quality of locally sourced Irish meat. His interactive sessions emphasised the connection between farm and fork, highlighting how food provenance plays a role in both nutrition and sustainability.
Chef Eoin Sheehan captivated audiences with live cookery demonstrations at the Agri Aware Open Farm. Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography.
Children were especially well catered to, with a buzzing Kids’ Zone filled with activities such as face painting, games and tractor simulator rides. Farm machinery displays drew large crowds, and the mobile pet farm with the calves, pigs and poultry kept many entertained throughout the day.
A live panel on the day featured Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Stephen Connolly, ABP Agri Sustainability Manager, and Teresa Roche, IFA and was chaired by AgriAware Chairperson Shay Galvin. They talked about how important days like this were to showcase all the excellent practices on beef farms to improve animal welfare, to reduce their environmental impact by using low emission slurry spreading techniques (LESS), protected urea and other technologies being adopted to help future-proof farms and ensure generational renewal into the future.
Pictured from left to right are participants in the live panel discussion: Stephen Connolly, ABP Agri Sustainability Manager; Shay Galvin, Agri Aware Chairperson; Teresa Roche, IFA; and Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc.
School visits lay the groundwork
The event followed a special Schools Day on Thursday, June 12th, which saw 400 local primary students welcomed onto the farm for curriculum-linked learning experiences. Pupils moved through themed educational stations, learning how food is produced, the role of animals in farming, and the importance of protecting the environment. Many teachers praised the format for offering a rich, hands-on supplement to classroom learning.
“This was one of the most engaging school outings we’ve had,” said one Galway-based primary school teacher. “The students were learning, laughing and connecting to the land in ways that textbooks alone can’t offer.”
A shared success
Agri Aware’s Chairman, Shay Galvin commended the Fahy family for their generosity and commitment to public engagement:
“The Fahys opened not just their gates but their lives to help educate and inspire,” he said. “Their efforts demonstrate the best of Irish farming – progressive, transparent and community-centred.”
Local Teagasc Advisor, Keith Fahy commented: “I would like to sincerely thank the Fahy family for all the work they put into the event. Aonghusa is always positive and constantly driving the farm forward and it is great to be able to work with him.
“I would like to thank everyone who made the event possible, especially to Agri Aware for all the hard work they put in. It was great to have over 400 primary school students on farm on the Thursday to showcase the importance of family run farms. The farm was alive with excitement and positivity on Sunday, and we were thrilled to welcome over 1,800 people onto the Fahy farm. People travelled from all over and it was fantastic to see.”
The Ardrahan event was one of two Open Farm events taking place across the country over the weekend, with the Doran family hosting a dairy-themed event in Donadea, Co. Kildare. Together, these events formed part of a larger mission to reconnect people with the origins of their food and the people who produce it.
Building bridges between urban and rural
For many in attendance, especially those with little prior exposure to farming, the Open Farm was a chance to ask questions, explore the countryside and see the dedication behind food production. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many calling for more such events to take place annually.
“The kids loved every minute, and I learned so much myself,” said one visitor from Galway City. “It’s easy to forget what goes into putting food on our plates. Today was a real eye-opener.”
Looking ahead
As the day wound down and the last of the visitors departed, Aonghusa and his family reflected on what had been a milestone moment for their farm and the wider community.
“This has given us great hope that people do care about farming, sustainability and the future of food,” said Aonghusa Fahy. “We’re proud to have played a part in that conversation.”
For more information about Aonghusa Fahy’s farm, visit here.
Find out more about the Teagasc Future Beef Programme here.
Featured Photo Credit: Chloe Goggins Photography