COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (JANUARY 20 EDITION)
A popular farm shop in Barnacougue, near Ireland West Airport, has switched fully to solar power for its reopening on January 31st.
Sue McMillan, proprietor of the Farm Shop, said after damage caused by Storm Éowyn forced her to close the Farm Shop last January, she switched to solar power, “a decision we have not regretted and therefore it is now completely off the grid”.
Located four kilometres from Ireland West Airport, the Ballagh Farm Shop had built up a loyal base of customers who pre-ordered boxes of local produce for collection on weekends.
“People are really beginning to understand the need for clean food,” said Ms McMillan, who runs the farm shop with her husband John.
They count among their local suppliers Duffy Butchers, Kilkelly; June’s Bakery, Kilkelly; Organic Veg Supplier and Ballymore Organic Farm.
“Customers require much more organic food since reopening and therefore we have a fully certified, organic, locally-sourced veg box every week... 80% plus of our shop products are now either organic or chemical free/reduced,” she said.
The Farm Shop is planning to sell local cheese this year and will also run a seed swap day in February and more planting and preparing courses during summer.
Ms McMillan is also involved in a new Mayo Indoor Market commencing every second Sunday of the month at Julian’s of Midfield.
“Since the markets of Strandhill and Achonry closed in 2025, I felt a strong need to bring an indoor market to Mayo and with the partnership with Sean at Julian’s, we started on January 11th,” she said.
