Agri Aware's Open Farm Comes to Kildare and Galway for 2025

Agri Aware has announced the return of its flagship Open Farm event this June with an exciting new addition for 2025.

The event will take place in two counties, in Kildare and a brand-new Open Farm experience in Galway.

Open Farm is the flagship event in Agri Aware’s mission of enhancing agricultural literacy, giving the public and schoolchildren a unique opportunity to experience a working Irish farm first-hand and understand the journey of food from farm to fork.

Returning once again, the Kildare Open Farm will be hosted on the Doran family’s dairy farm in Donadea.

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On Thursday, June 13, the farm will welcome over 800 primary school students from Kildare and Dublin for a dedicated Schools Day. Students will explore how dairy products are made, learn about sustainable farming practices, and develop a deeper appreciation for where the food they consume comes from.

On Saturday, June 14, the farm gates will open to the general public for a fun, educational and interactive day out for all ages. Visitors will enjoy self-guided tours, a mini-farm village, food demos, kids’ games, and the chance to speak with the Dorans about how they care for their animals and the environment.

Making its debut this year, the Galway Open Farm will be hosted by Aonghusa Fahy on his beef farm in Ardrahan. The Schools Day will take place on Thursday, June 12th, followed by the public Open Farm Day on Sunday, June 15th.

Just like in Kildare, students and the general public will have the opportunity to engage directly with the Fahy’s, see modern beef farming in action, and understand the vital role Irish beef farms play in producing high-quality food sustainably.

Open Farm is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Dairy Council, the Irish Farmers’ Association, Tirlán, Our Food Connects, ABP, Teagasc, Kildare Milk Producers Group and the Fresh Milk Producers Group. Agri Aware has teamed up with Agriland Media as the official media partner for Open Farm for 2025.

Speaking at the launch of Open Farm 2025, Agri Aware Chairman Shay Galvin said: “We are delighted to announce the return of Open Farm after the success last year. Bridging the gap between producers and consumers remains a key challenge, but it’s one we are committed to addressing. Open Farm gives us a unique opportunity to connect people directly with the farms that produce their food.

“We’re especially looking forward to welcoming schools on Thursday, followed by the public open days in Galway and Kildare over the weekend. Our sincere thanks go to the Doran and Fahy families for generously opening their farms. Thanks to them, visitors will get to see first-hand how Irish food is produced sustainably, with care and dedication.”

Kildare host farmer Kevin Doran added: “When I was first approached about hosting Open Farm, I immediately said yes. We are passionate as a family in what we do here in terms of producing a sustainable top-quality product with, first and foremost, the welfare of our animals being the top priority. To be able to showcase this to both primary school students and the general public as part of Agri Aware’s Open Farm is one of excitement for us as a family that we are looking forward to.”

Free of Charge

Open Farm is a free of charge event. Gates open to the public from 10:30am – 5pm. For full details on the event see https://agriaware.ie/open-farm/ or Agri Aware’ social media channels.

Open Farm Kildare

Saturday, June 14

Doran Family Dairy Farm
Donadea, Co. Kildare - W91 DH99

Open Farm Galway

Sunday, June 15

Fahy Family Beef Farm
Ardrahan, Co. Galway - H91 TPD2