Claremorris farm to make an appearance on RTÉs Big Week On The Farm

THE sheep dairy farm of Aisling and Michael Flanagan in Rockfield, just outside of Claremorris, will feature on RTÉ’s Big Week On The Farm next week.

The programme, which will air at 7 p.m. each evening from Monday to Friday next week (April 3 to 7), is based this year on a traditional dairy farm of the Shalvey family in Co. Cavan, but each night a satellite crew will visit other 'different' farms around the country to broadcast live from them. On Monday night (April 3) it's the turn of the Flanagans' farm in Rockfield.

Rockfield Dairy, located just off the N17 between Claremorris and Knock, is an alternative sheep enterprise, milking sheep and producing sheep’s milk, yogurt and cheese under the brand Velvet Cloud. One of their sheep, 'Siobhan The Sheep', is no stranger to the cameras, having appeared already this year on The Late Late Show when she was milked live on TV.

Michael suspects the camera crew hope to catch a lamb being born live while they film at the farm. “But,” he added, “most importantly they want to get a sense of what a day in the life of sheep dairy farmer is like.”

The Flanagans spotted a gap in the market for Velvet Cloud when they returned from living and working in France and Italy, where sheep’s milk products are commonplace.

“We’ve been surprised at the pace at which interest has grown,” said Aisling. “Our products are popular with those avoiding cow dairy who may be lactose intolerant and those interested in healthy eating. We also feature on the menus of some of the best restaurants in the country, including four who hold Michelin stars, so endorsement at that level has really helped spread the word.”

The couple are hoping that Monday night’s programme will help boost awareness further. You can catch up on all the action from the Mayo farm from 7 p.m. on Monday evening, or afterwards on the RTÉ Player.