Our Farm

Richard Mannion runs a small hill farm where he breeds traditional Mayo Blackface sheep, using the
same blood lines his grandfather developed in 1925. Close to his heels at any time of day or night are
his two border collies, Rocco and Toby who are both essential working dogs and much loved pets. As
an ex-scientist, Richard brings a combination of scientific skills and inherited farming know-how to
managing his beloved flock.

A chattering flock of free range hens wander around the property, scratching and pecking
contentedly in search of seeds and insects. Collecting their warm, brown eggs daily is a popular
chore with younger visitors.

In springtime the fields close to the farmhouse are filled with wide-eyed baby lambs, leaping and
bouncing for joy as they discover their new world and new friends. Some are pets, who for one
reason or another aren’t being fed by their mother and need regular bottle feeding. Taking a turn at
feeding these snow white lambs is often a highlight of the holiday for guests at Devlin House and an
extra pair of hands is always welcome.

At any time of year farm life is busy with the sheep and managing the land itself. This is challenging
hill territory, exposed to the Atlantic and the Mayo Blackface sheep are ideally suited to it. Small,
agile and tough they thrive in these conditions. The sheep run free on the hillside commonage
shared with other farmers but Richard always knows his own flock. They follow the paths their
ancestors trod, always heading for the top of the hill where Richard’s grandfather chose the dryer
land for his flock a hundred years ago. That’s living tradition.

For more information about sheep you might like to read this informative blog Veronica wrote.