Top Of The Rock

Just above the village of Drimoleague is the Top of the Rock farm www.topoftherock.ie . Since 1920 three generations of the Ross family have farmed this 48 acre farm. Five years ago David and Elizabeth added seven glamping pods and a walking centre and within a short space of time this has become one of Ireland's most popular glamping sites. Families, couples and walkers come at all seasons to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the working farm, the animals and the extensive walkway network in the Drimoleague area.

David and Elizabeth soon discovered that the families who come to stay in the pods are keen to find out more about the farm and about farming in general. Therefore they have designed a two hour farming programme called FARMHANDS which is geared for school age children. This hands-on activity allows parents and children to experience an ordinary day on the farm, in a fun and learning environment.

 Once the special FARMHANDS jackets have been put on, the tour begins. The Podpàirc animals include Zwartables sheep and lambs, calves goats and kids and of course the donkey Patty and her foal. There might be a lamb to feed or eggs that gather. There are three types of ducks and often a new brood of ducklings to see. Daisy the sheepdog keeps them all in order!

After a short history of the farm we head for the "tree goats" and the bantams and chicks. There's a nice interaction about trees and goats and chicks. The tour moves to the farmyard where there's a lot to learn about farm safety, feedstuffs and baby calves.

 

The BALE MAZE is a great hit with kids...a specially constructed shed full of hay bales in the form of a small maze.  Then it's time for the HAYRIDE ....a grand tour of the farm on a specially designed trailer pulled by the red tractor.   This tour takes us through the herd of cows where children get up close to the cows and bull without being in danger. We generally carry a goat or sheep in the special compartment in the trailer on its way to another paddock by the river. There's a special place on the farm called the "fulacht fià"...an old cooking site from Celtic times. It's a perfect place for the FARMHANDS PICNIC. From there we get to learn about the wild ducks and other wildlife on the farm before we head up the hill to the Podpàirc. The programme ends with the presentation of the FARMHANDS CERTIFICATE which includes a colouring worksheet which recaps on what's been learned.

Farmhands is popular with both local and visiting families.

You can find out more about FARMHANDS at www.topoftherock.ie/farmhands