Documentary highlights the benefits of free-range food from Portlaoise farm
Brendan Guinan pictured by his delivery truck on his 30-acre Fiorbhia Farm just outside Portlaoise Photos: Stan Henderson
AN amazing 30-acre plot near Portlaoise where Brendan Guinan, owner of Fiorbhia Farm, works without the use chemical fertilisers, sprays or antibiotics to produce minimally processed nutrient-rich food that’s sold directly to local families.
To highlight the fact that regenerative and organic farming is a thriving market in Ireland rather than a niche concept, Brendan and some friends embarked on a marathon cycle from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizen Head in Cork (against the wind), where they stopped off at ten different farms. They made an hour-long documentary of their travels titled which will be screened in the Dunamaise Arts Centre Portlaoise on Saturday 17 May at 5.30pm and followed by a regenerative food-tasting event with food from Brendan’s farm, including a wide range of organic and regenerative canapes. The new café in the theatre, R32, will also provide some delicious artisan baking.
Brendan recently invited the to his forested farm, which he bought in 2019.
Brendan said: “As a family, we started growing our own food 20 years ago. We started with two pigs, two cattle, 12 hens and six turkeys. We put up a grow tunnel and used the compost from the animals to grow our own vegetables. We have five kids. The eldest is 21 and the youngest is 12 and, touch wood, they’re all fit and healthy with no allergies or any problems whatsoever.
“We have started our spuds this year using the compost from the animals and we’re putting up a commercial grow tunnel. Time is my problem … trying to get the time to get everything done, but we’re getting there.” Asked about goals for Fiorbhia Farm, Brendan said: “Our main goals are to reframe agriculture as a regeneration rather than a destruction. We can grow anything that we want to grow 100% chemical-free with no issues. I’m teaching people all over the country how to do that. We are trying to get the message out that you can grow food that is 100% chemical-free, nutrient-dense food with higher tonnage per acre than any intensive system.
“We also want to bring hope back to farming, to get small farmers back up and running again. We are setting up our own route to market and we are supporting others to do the same. Then small farms can start to work again, family farms can start to work again, communities start to build and you keep money in the local area.” Speaking about the cycle, Brendan said: “The Malin to Mizen adventure took place last August, when our Grounded in Soil group cycled over 1,200km from Malin Head at the tip top of Donegal to Mizen Head which is the most southerly point of Ireland. We started on a Saturday and finished the following Saturday.
“We called into ten of the top regenerative and organic farms along the way to showcase the infinite health benefits of regenerative and organic agriculture on community spirit, mental and physical resilience and environmental biodiversity while still producing the most nutrient-dense and nourishing foods.
“The momentum has gained so much positivity that we are going to do another cycle this year from the Giant’s Causeway to Waterford and we will call to organic and regenerative farms again along the way.” Within the 30-acre forest, pigs, cattle, hens and turkeys roam free eating what Mother Nature provides. The farm includes a huge lake to provide a natural source of water for the farm. Brendan also built a cob house using a small section of the dug-out mud.
Orders for Fiorbhia Farm’s (Eircode R32 PHY5) food, which include grass-fed beef, forest-reared pork, pasture-raised eggs and chickens can be made by contacting Brendan on 086 3892523 or email fiorbhiafarm@gmail.com. Fiorbhia Farm also has a presence on social media.
This film-screening is supported by the heritage department of Laois County Council. Doors open at 5.30pm. Food will be served before the screening, which begins at 6.30pm. This will be followed by a question and answer session with Fíorbhia Farm.
Tickets cost €35 and can be had at www.dunamaise.ie or from the box office.
