"We loved the taste of the meat, it's a lot richer and 'earthier' than what you get in the shops. Also, much more left of it after cooking, especially the mince, so don't need as much (I was even thinking would the small roast be enough at all but we were eating for days...). We'll definitely be ordering again!"
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Richie, 7th Generation Irish Farmer
Richie is the 7th generation to farm at Rathkennery, and he loves working with the animals, especially his dogs. He’s passionate about continuing traditional Irish farming while also evolving the farm to meet today’s standards in sustainable, ethical meat production. Richie is committed to producing grass-fed beef and lamb the right way, with care for the land, the animals, and future generations.
Caitlin, First Generation Farmer & Business Manager
She's a first-generation farmer, though she grew up loving the countryside in Herefordshire and Devon, England, even if she wasn't directly farming. Her passion for cooking and frustration at not finding the quality lamb she was used to from home actually sparked their whole meat box idea. She basically convinced Richie to butcher a lamb for her, and when it was so good, they realised others would want ethical, delicious meat too! Now, she's hands-on, especially during lambing, and with her Mining Engineering background, she also manages all the tech and business side of things, like the website, and even helps design practical farm solutions. You'll often find her out with the dogs or popping up in their farm videos!
Rex, Expert Sheepdog at Rathkennery
Rex is about 11 years old, and he’s amazing with the sheep. We got him as a puppy and trained him with both cattle and sheep here on the farm in Louth. He started out shy, but once he began working with the flock, he found his confidence. Rex is still calm and quiet, but always ready to help when there’s work to be done.
Ted, Cattle Handler with Character
Ted is 8 years old and is brilliant with the cattle. He’s still training with the sheep; sometimes, he gets a little too excited when he sees them. Ted is a big softy who loves everyone he meets, but when it’s time to work, he’s focused and reliable. He’s an important part of our daily life on the farm.
Doc, A Young Dog in Training
Doc is 4 years old and still learning the ropes of life on the farm. He’s doing great in both sheep and cattle training and will soon be working alongside Ted and Rex. He can still get excited, but he’s eager to learn and always ready to play, especially with his big rope or his dog mates.
Bo, The Newest Member of the Team
Bo is the newest arrival on the farm. He’s heading towards two years old and just beginning his training, but already shows real promise. He’s curious, playful and loves being around the animals. We’re confident Bo will grow into a strong and capable sheep and cattle dog, helping us continue our sustainable farming in Ireland.
The Cats, Merry and Pippin
We have two cats on the farm, Merry and Pippin. They’ve become part of our pest control team and help keep the yard in balance. Since they arrived, we’ve seen fewer pests and more birds and wildlife around the farm, a small but important part of keeping Rathkennery natural and sustainable. They have also enabled us to cut out pesticides on the farm.