Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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'Working with heritage breeds on the farm"

Tom & Michael Keane are brothers farming 135 hectares (334 ac) along a Special Area of Conservation at the Shannon Estuary in Co. Limerick. Michael focuses on dairy production whilst Tom focuses on beef and sheep.

They are big proponents of rare breeds and exclusively rear natives such as Droimeann and Shorthorn cattle and Galway sheep. Tom has been observing Droimeann traits over time to improve the herds genetics and have noted that they are low maintenance and can ‘mind themselves’. They have ‘good longevity, are fertile and have plenty of milk when crossbred’. The dairy farm has been organic for over two decades and supplies the Little Milk Company. The beef and sheep farm, also organic, supplies weanlings to finishers. Livestock are all completely grass-fed.

Their farms are located in a landscape similar to the Burren, with a vast array of habitats, including a very rare brackish lagoon situated on karst limestones. Most of the unique flora found in the Burren can be found on their land too and they have hosted many botanists and researchers interested in these rare species. They are in ACRES and are actively engaged with conservation efforts through the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. Amongst other things, they have installed otter holts and provided accommodation for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat. Rare plants such as the Bee and Butterfly Orchids, thrive in their species rich grasslands. They propagate native trees from seed, particularly Hazel and plant them into scrub.

They both have a deep connection to nature and are incredibly knowledgeable about the ecological and cultural history of their area.

Thanks to NPWS and DAFM for supporting this event