Farm shop overcomes adversity to make awards shortlist
Sue and John McMillan of Ballagh Farm Shop near Swinford are finalists at the Irish Micro Business Awards.
After a near total destruction by Storm Eowyn, a small Mayo business has bounced back to be chosen from thousands as a finalist in this month’s Irish Micro Business Awards.
Ballagh Farm Shop, situated just a stone’s throw away from Ireland West Airport in Barnacougue, Swinford, has secured a chance of winning ‘The People’s Choice’ category, and also a place in the ‘Reinvention with Attitude’ category.
After collapsed buildings, a written off delivery van and complete collapse of electrical infrastructure due to the battering from Storm Eowyn, to the reopening in May 2025 and now a completely off grid solar site, the Farm Shop continues to grow its fantastic community, meeting every Saturday and selling locally sourced organic vegetables and pantry items, bringing together local producers to supply breads, cakes, eggs, meat and much more. There’s also the Ecover refill station.
“2026 has been a challenging year, with the ill health of my husband and fighting back to full recovery, to the cost of living crisis we find ourselves in,” said Sue McMillan of Ballagh Farm House. “Keeping prices as competitive as possible has been achieved, despite the large corporates having the bulk buying and loss leader capabilities. We thrive on delivering the freshest, best and hopefully price competitive produce we can.”
Sue added that the shop fights on every week to try and keep its customers happy and is grateful for everyone in the local community who buys from them.
“We are very unique, have risen to three years of challenges and will continue to ‘Reinvent with Attitude’. We can't wait to get out of our wellies and into our glad rags for a night at the awards and absolutely delighted that a 8x12 shed, on top of a windy hill, can get to this level of achievement.”
Ballagh Farm Shop is among 70 finalists heading to the awards in Castle Dargan, Sligo on October 17.
