Castlemine Farm

Traditional farming practices and grass fed animals ensure that you get a high quality product all year round with Castlemine Farm

Brendan and Derek Allen have spent the last few years revamping their family farm in the peaceful Roscommon countryside.  The boys were brought up with farming beside father Sean. He used traditional farming methods, which his two sons have taken to the next step in the last few years.  The land has been in the family for three generations, and these days the two brothers are putting it to good use to rear their own meats to supply the Castlemines Farm Shop in Roscommon Town.  The 250 acres at Castlemines has a variety of pastureland, which gives wonderful grazing for the speciality breeds reared here.  Black Angus and Hereford cattle are prime beef animals, a variety of lamb breeds roam the fields, and the free-range pig herd boasts heritage breeds like Saddleback, Gloucestershire Old Spots and Tamworths.  These pigs are always outdoors and their meat develops intense flavour, plus a good covering of fat which makes it moist, tender and truly tasty during cooking. 

Derek is the animal husbandry expert, working hard to develop the traditional and sustainable farming methods that have made these meats as delicious as they are. Brendan is responsible for sales, marketing, and for developing new ideas in the recently updated kitchen on the farm.  New recipes for wholesome homemade convenience products and ready meals are currently being tested.  When we visited, a hearty beef pie was in creation, and we can vouch for its wonderful golden pastry crust, the substantial filling of tender beef chunks and flavoursome cooking juices.  Brendan also looks after meat for the farm shop in the town centre.  This tiny retail outlet is packed to the rafters with all good things to eat.

The meat counter is full to bursting with the products of the farm, homemade sausages and bacon, beautiful dry aged beef cuts and steaks, homemade chunky burgers flavoured with herbs, pork and lamb chops, cutlets and joints too.  Ready threaded kebabs flavoured with a homemade marinade, stir fries bouncing with fresh veggies and aromatic sauce, and other quick to cook meat dishes are also here.  On the shelves, an array of artisan produce from the locality and further afield in Ireland compliments the meat range.  A frozen cabinet enables you to buy organic free-range chickens from an Irish supplier.  Very soon, a chill counter will contain all the Castlemines new range of cooked foods, made with their own meats and ingredients from various suppliers in the farmer’s market circuit.  Castlemines Farm stall can be found at Moycullen Country Market every Friday and Galway City Market on Saturday.  Add to this the plan for three more farm shops in other locations- the next being Galway very soon - and you can see like we do, these boys mean business when it comes to bringing their quality meat to the rest of the country.  At Good Food Ireland, we support farmers who are taking their livelihoods into their own hands, and using their commitment, skills and methods to produce meat with sustainable farming methods. Brendan and Derek are doing just that in a big way.

CASTLEMINE FARM SHOP >>>

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Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

Castlemine
Fourmilehouse
Co Roscommon
+353 (0) 90 66 29886
Email: info@castleminefarm.ie
Web: www.castleminefarm.ie

 

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