About Devoy’s Organic Farm

Devoy’s organic fruit and vegetable farm is situated close to the village of Rosscarbery in West Cork, Ireland. We grow and sell a wide variety of organic fruit and vegetables - supplying to local restaurants & hotels, selling direct at local farmers’ markets and through vegetable box schemes.

Our farm has 'grown', and developed since 2002 (along with our three young children, Oisin, Aisha, and Meriel). It is a small, 2.4 hectare, intensive operation
- "full-on and full time" - as one American WWOOFer described it.

We have 300 apple trees, 200 hens, six 32m polytunnels for protected crops, a hectare of field crops, a reed bed, willow grove, a stream, frog pond, beautiful views, the sounds of birds, cows, the odd tractor, a squeaky wheelbarrow and ocean waves (the beach is only 3 km away).

Throughout the seasons we grow a wide variety of crops inside and outside.
Beginning in January with nurturing spinach seeds , early salads etc. the propagation tunnel gradually cranks up to serious activity in March /April /May.

This year we will have our own eggs. The hens roam, protected by an electric fence to keep 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' at bay. Hens are fed organic GM-free feed.

Our range of Organic Produce

We grow a wide range of products including spinach, mange tout, kale, chard, onions, apples, salad leaves, tomatoes, beans, squash, potatoes, beetroot. We are delighted to be able to add organic eggs to our produce as well. From Spring 2010, two hundred happy hens will be roaming around our Orchard and we will be bringing our eggs to local supermarkets but they will also be available direct from the farm and our markets.

We always have a good supply of Irish Organic root crops as well that come from certified producers who have larger areas of land that are better suited to such crops.

What is the difference between free range and organic eggs?.

As certified Organic producers we are subject to a strict production regime based on sound organic principles which cover the whole farm system. These have the aim of protecting our fragile environment, maintaining a respect and concern for the welfare of our animals (through strictly controlled rearing conditions), and the use of high quality certified organic feedstuffs that are free from antibiotic residues and GMOs. This results in wholesome and nutritious end products produced under conditions which nurture a respect for the sustainability of the land we live on.

Our organic hens enjoy outdoor access every day. However, in other large-scale free range units, often less than 50% of the birds regularly go outside. They are also living in crowded conditions necessitating practices like de-beaking.
Unlike other farms with larger flock numbers we do not  de-beak the hens or harm them in anyway.
Studies have shown that organic foods not only taste better but have a higher nutritional content

Devoy's Organic Eggs are approved under:
·I.O.F.G.A ( Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association)
·Department of Agriculture and Food

Organic approval is not granted lightly and is only awarded to producers who consistently follow strict codes of Organic practices throughout their farm.
Organic farms are inspected at least once a year. Genetic modification of plants and animals goes against the principles of Organic food and farming.
No GM inputs are allowed in the organic system.

Why do Organic eggs cost more?

Organic eggs cost more to produce because animals are held at lower stocking densities, for their well-being
The careful controls placed on the productions is more labour intensive.
Organic Feed (guaranteed gmo and antiobiotic-free) also adds to the cost.

The personal attention and commitment that is involved in producing organic eggs makes them a little bit more than  a conventional egg.
But the taste, freshness and quality is an experience not to be missed!

Enjoy eggs from some of the happiest hens in West Cork!

How to find us

By car from Cork & Clonakilty
Travelling from Clonakilty, take the main N71 route. Pass through Lisavaird village, past The Pike bar on the left. Continue on the main road and look out for a right turning at the bottom of the hill leading to Rosscarbery. The sign is for Reenascreena and it is at a point when the road changes into two lanes. Take this right turn passing the garage of Jerry O Mahoney on your right. At the next fork in the road take the smaller right fork and continue on straight until you see polytunnels and a blue wooden house. About 1.5 km from Jerry O' Mahoney.

From Cork by Bus
Check www.buseireann.ie  for bus times from Cork City. Rosscarbery is a request stop but it is just after Clonakilty on the Skibbereen route. ( about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Cork city)

Find us on Google Maps

See the latest photos in our online photo album!

Where to buy our organic produce

We supply to local supermarkets including Scallies Clonakilty - we are also at two Farmers Markets each week :- Clonakilty Market on Fridays and Skibbereen Market on Saturdays.

We also offer vegetable box deliveries if the customers are on our general route - contact us to enquire.

If you are a restaurant or retailer and would like to buy your organic produce from Devoy’s - please contact us.
 

As we are limited by space, seasons, and machinery we do sometimes source high-quality organic produce from around the country to offer a good choice to our customers.

WWOOFing at Devoys

(= World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).
We are part of the WWOOF scheme - more information here.