Frequently Asked Questions about Rathkennery Farm’s 100% Irish Grass-Finished Beef and Lamb Boxes
Here we answer common questions about our 100% Irish grass-finished beef and lamb boxes. We take pride in sustainable, ethical farming practices, raising healthy, happy animals on our Bord Bia-approved farm in Louth.
About Our Meat
What Does Grass Finished Mean?
Grass-finished means our cattle and lambs are fed only natural grass from the moment they're on Rathkennery Farm right up until they're ready for your table. Unlike many suppliers who finish animals on grain or meal, we do not feed our animals any grain at all. This allows them to grow slowly and naturally, resulting in richer flavour and superior nutrition in our beef and lamb.
What Are the Benefits of Grass-Finished Meat?
Grass-finished beef and lamb offer many benefits over grain-fed meat. The flavour is deeper and more complex, with less total fat and up to five times more omega-3 fatty acids. Our meat is also higher in vitamins A, E, and essential B vitamins such as B12, B3, and B6, plus antioxidants. By raising animals on natural pasture, we produce healthier meat that respects both animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
Are You Certified Organic?
While we are not certified organic, our animals are raised naturally on grass and other wild foliage found on the farm at Rathkennery, such as ivy. We never feed grains, organic or otherwise, focusing instead on sustainable, ethical, and regenerative farming that respects nature and the animals.
Why do you primarily raise heifers?
We mostly raise heifers, which are young female cattle that haven't calved. They're fantastic because they consistently produce incredibly tender beef. Our heifers are raised on lush Irish pastures and finished naturally on grass, meaning they grow slowly and naturally. This traditional approach gives our beef a richer flavour and better nutrition compared to beef from bulls or older cows.
Why Can't I Buy Year-Round?
Because we raise our cattle and lambs naturally, without grain feeding or artificial growth aids, our meat availability follows seasonal cycles. Typically, we do not have stock from January through May, though this can vary with weather and other natural factors. This seasonal approach ensures authentic, high-quality grass-fed beef and lamb every time.
Our Products
Tell me about your Beech Beef Box.
Our Beech Beef Box is a real bestseller and one of our most popular – and it's easy to see why! It's packed with over 6.5kg of 100% Irish grass-finished beef, all raised right here on our seventh-generation family farm in Co. Louth. This box is fantastic for families, batch cooking, or when you're hosting, offering a brilliant mix of naturally tender and flavourful cuts perfect for everything from quick midweek meals to slow weekend roasts or even your BBQ.
What is the "All You Can Beef" pre-order?
Our 'All You Can Beef' pre-order is amazing if you're looking for fantastic value and a big supply of our top-quality Irish beef! You can choose a quarter, half, or even a full grass-finished heifer box. These are raised right here on the farm, naturally on pasture, giving you that rich flavour and great nutrition. Since these are pre-orders for upcoming seasons, you get incredible value, and you can even request specific cuts to suit your family's needs. We'll keep you updated on delivery once your order is confirmed!
How does the "Build Your Own Beef Box" work?
Our 'Build Your Own Beef Box' is all about getting exactly what you want! It starts with a base of our most popular cuts – think mince, a roast, and some sirloin steaks. From there, you can totally customise it by adding extra steaks (sirloin, striploin, ribeye), more mince, brisket, or even some of our delicious lamb favourites like a leg of lamb or chops. It’s perfect for stocking your freezer with just what your household loves, all from our grass-fed, grass-finished animals.
Tell me about your lamb boxes.
We offer two fantastic lamb boxes: our Full Lamb Box (over 14kg) and the Half Lamb Box (over 6kg). Both are packed with 100% grass-fed lamb, raised naturally right here on the farm. Whether you're feeding a big family, love batch cooking, or just want a generous mix of quality lamb, these boxes are brilliant. You'll get a wide range of cuts perfect for everything from Sunday roasts and slow-cooked shanks to quick midweek chops. And yes, you can usually request specific cuts too!
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes, we do! Our Rathkennery Farm Gift Cards are the perfect gift for any food lover, especially if they appreciate high-quality, local meat. They're super flexible, you can choose the value, and they're delivered digitally straight to their inbox, so no waiting around. They can be redeemed for any of our delicious beef or lamb boxes, or any seasonal specials, whenever it suits them. It's truly the gift of quality, sustainable, and flavourful meat from our family farm!
Ordering & Delivery
How Does Delivery Work?
We deliver our grass-fed beef and lamb boxes throughout the Republic of Ireland. Your order will arrive frozen, packed safely in our eco-friendly sheep’s wool insulated boxes. Orders placed by Tuesday 7 pm are dispatched on Wednesday and arrive at your door on Thursday. For all the specifics, like tracking and delivery days, check out our full delivery page.
Which days of the week do you deliver?
We deliver every Thursday across the Republic of Ireland, ensuring your grass-fed beef and lamb arrive frozen and on time. If Thursdays don't suit you, please let us know. Please note, we do not deliver on Fridays.
Which courier do you use?
We team up with DPD for deliveries – they're reliable and get your box to you when they say they will.
How much is delivery?
Delivery is a flat €10 across the board, no matter the order size.
Can I track my order?
Yep! Once your order heads out, you'll get a tracking link from DPD so you can keep an eye on its journey.
When does my order dispatch?
Get your order in by Tuesday 7 pm, and we'll dispatch it on Wednesday for Thursday delivery. If you miss that cut-off, no worries, it'll just go out the following Wednesday.
Can I change my delivery date once my order has shipped?
Once your box is dispatched, we can't change the delivery date because of the perishable nature of the meat. So best to make sure someone's around to grab it!
Is the Meat Frozen?
Yes, we flash freeze and vacuum pack our meat after butchering. This process helps to preserve freshness, nutritional value, and flavour, while also preventing freezer burn and oxidation, all without the need for any preservatives. This also helps reduce waste, ensuring you receive the highest quality beef and lamb from Rathkennery Farm.
Do you use recyclable and eco-friendly packaging?
Absolutely! Our meat boxes are made from recyclable cardboard and insulated with brilliant sheep’s wool – it's totally biodegradable and compostable. Plus, you can reuse the wool for things like garden fertiliser or hanging basket liners. Good for your freezer, good for the planet!
Why Buy Direct from the Farmer?
Buying local, grass-fed beef and lamb directly from Rathkennery Farm supports Irish farmers and reduces your environmental footprint. You get fresher, ethically raised meat with full traceability from farm to fork. Plus, you help keep money in the local economy and promote biodiversity across farms in Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Leinster, and nationwide across the Republic of Ireland.