Galway farmer Blátnaid Gallagher knows first-hand how open space and being around animals can help someone’s sense of well-being.

The former member of the Defence Forces recalls how, as a young girl growing up in Renmore, Galway City, regular visits to her uncle’s farm offered its own kind of therapy.

“Nothing compared to spending time on the farm,” said Blátnaid. “Breathing in the fresh air after being let loose in the fields, being surrounded by animals . . . and getting up to all kinds of divilment,” she laughed.

From an early age, Blátnaid appreciated the land and formed a lasting connection to nature.

Blátnaid and her husband Niall inherited her uncle PJ Murray’s 100-acre farm in 2016.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Killoran, Co Galway, near the historical village of Aughrim in East Galway, Murray Meadows is a family-run farm transitioning to organic farming – home to geese, hens, ponies, donkeys and Blátnaid’s flock of pedigree Galway sheep, producing organic lamb and Galway wool.

Since last year, Blátnaid and Niall have been diversifying into social farming – proving a fruitful collaboration with Social Farming Ireland (SFI).

Social farming is a service delivered by farmers as an innovative use of agriculture to promote therapy, rehabilitation, social inclusion, education and social services in rural areas.

The service allows people with challenges to engage in everyday activities on ordinary working farms in their local community.

Blátnaid explained that social farming provides a structure around a working day that people may not have had the chance to experience elsewhere.

“Opening up the farm was a no-brainer,” said Blátnaid. “On a farm, you get to connect with nature and animals. It’s a wonderful place to be.

“I describe it as the best prescription to increase self-esteem and improve health and well-being.”

An open day on Blátnaid’s farm, held earlier this week, offered an opportunity to showcase what social farming is all about.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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