Eddie’s Eco Farm ready for the off

At home in Clarecastle, Eddie Connors won’t have a spare moment to call his own in the coming weeks. On Sunday, June 13, his estuary eco-farm will open for business, while later this summer the farm, which is called Im Eco Farm, will feature on RTÉ’s Higher Ground.

The farm is set in 100 acres of peaceful, rolling countryside dotted with walks, wooded areas and fields situated on the Shannon Estuary.
Mr Connors is hopeful that the expertise shared by the Higher Ground presenters will help his venture to succeed despite the current economic climate. While the eco farm opens on Sunday week, there is also a renewable energy element to his business.
“During the past months of working with the Higher Ground crew I have learned a lot about all aspects of bringing my business idea to market and I am eager to take on their advice and make it a reality,” he explained.
“I am aiming to provide a renewable energy resource of accumulated knowledge and DIY skills for the people of Clare and beyond.”
The farm is home to a variety of bird and animal life as well as Islandmcgrath House, which will be the base for the eco farm.
The building dates back to the 1850s and Mr Connors is refurbishing both the house and a jetty dating back to 600 BC, which has been unearthed by archaeologists.
Wind turbines and various renewable energy appliances are also interspersed throughout the property. The farm offers examples of renewable energy step-by-step guides and full-scale working models of wind, solar and water power as well DIY courses for a more environmentally friendly future.
The Higher Ground producers say that they have selected their candidates carefully. “We looked at candidates around the country that had fresh and innovative ideas. We had over 120 applicants for the show in total. The reason we chose Eddie was that he has a great idea and great resources and we felt our mentors Paul McCarthy and Peter Young could bring Eddie and his eco farm to fruition and market it the best way possible,” a spokesperson for the show explained.
From mid-June onwards Eddie Connors is hoping that school tours and the general public will visit Islandmcgrath and take some of the ideas home with them.
Eddie feels that the variety of birds, animals and walks will interest people, as well as the renewable energy element. “Down in the marsh lands you have all the different waders, fowl birds and wild duck. There are a lot of angles to that which could draw interest to the place as well,” he believes.
The farm will eventually include a bat walk, badger trail, a pine marten watch, garden birds and an old farm machinery trail stretching to the banks of the Shannon Estuary.
Eddie also intends to produce a chart of the riverbank that will include the type of waders and river birds on view.
At the open day from 10am on June 13, Eddie Connors will answer any eco related DIY queries. For more information consult www.imecofarm.com.