06/23/2026
☘️ Day 4 of Ag in Ireland!
Day 4 was our first day in the beautiful area of Kilkenny, located in the southeast part of Ireland! Known as Ireland’s “Medieval City,” Kilkenny is famous for its rich history, charming narrow streets, colorful storefronts, and well-preserved historic buildings.
There was a lot of excitement among the group today as we began the STEM portion of our tour, the agricultural and farming experiences many of our students had been eagerly anticipating. After spending the first few days exploring Ireland’s history and culture, it was exciting to start learning directly from Irish producers and seeing agriculture in action.
We began the day with a tour of Highbank Orchards. While they are best known for producing apple cider vinegar, they also create a wide variety of other products, including chutneys, sparkling apple cider, apple syrup, apple jams, and more. In total, they produce 16 different apple-based products, showcasing the many ways they add value to their orchard crop.
Later, we visited the Brennan Family Farm. The farm specializes in pedigree beef cattle and sheep production. Their sheep enterprise focuses on a ewe breeding herd, while their pedigree Limousin cattle operation raises and markets breeding heifers and bulls. It was a great opportunity for our students to learn about livestock production in Ireland and compare it to agricultural practices back home.
It provided valuable insight into Irish agriculture, from specialty food production to livestock genetics and breeding programs. The students asked great questions and enjoyed seeing firsthand how Irish farmers adapt to their environment, markets, and traditions. We are grateful to our hosts for sharing their knowledge and experiences and look forward to continuing our agricultural journey through Ireland! ☘️🚜🐑🐂🌍🇮🇪
