Achill Mountain Lamb Farm Tour & Tasting Mayo
Achill Mountain Lamb Farm Tour & Tasting Mayo offers an authentic Irish experience where you can learn about sustainable farming, meet farmers, explore the landscape, and enjoy farm-to-table lamb products.
Achill Mountain Lamb Farm Tour & Tasting Mayo
Achill Mountain Lamb Farm Tour & Tasting Mayo offers an authentic Irish experience where you can learn about sustainable farming, meet farmers, explore the landscape, and enjoy farm-to-table lamb products.
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About this experience
Overview
Duration1.5 Hour
Meeting pointMartin Calvey's Farm , Keel Achill Island, Mayo F28 A9N2
Group size Minimum of 6 people
Activity details
Get Up Close with Achill Island Sheep Farmer, Explore the Land and Embrace the Adventure.
‘From our hilltop, to your table top’, as the Calveys are proud to say.
Immerse yourself in the longstanding tradition of Blackfaced Mountain Sheep farming with an adventurous experience on Achill Island. The high hills and coastal splendour of Achill is home to this famous variety of sheep.
You’ll visit a local food producers, the Calvey family, who have been farming here for seven generations and they offer a fun-filled hands-on experience that will test your farming skills!
Experience Achill Island in a different way by joining the Calvey’s in their day to day way of life, hill sheep farming! Learn all about their system of farming before trying your hand sheep shearing or directing the friendly working sheep dog, Tom.
Lunch Option
As part of your immersive visit to the rugged beauty of Achill Island, enjoy a hearty lunch of Traditional Irish Stew, lovingly prepared using Achill Mountain Lamb and seasonal vegetables grown on the island.
This time-honoured dish is a true taste of Ireland's culinary heritage, slow cooked to perfection to bring out the rich, comforting flavours of the island. Served with homemade brown soda bread and creamy Irish butter, it offers a delicious and nourishing reflection of Achill's deep-rooted farming traditions.
Enjoy your stew in the welcoming surroundings of the farm, where the ingrediants have been reared and grown with care, connecting you directly to the people, place and passion behind every bite.
What's included
- hands on experience
- learn the history of this familiy business and farming methods
- try your hand at sheep shearing
- work with Tom, the friendly working sheep dog
What's not included
Traditional Irish Stew, lovingly prepared using Achill Mountain Lamb and seasonal vegetables grown on the island.
Highlights
The Calvey’s are a large farming family who for seven generations have been herding Mayo Blackface Mountain Sheep on Achill Island in Co. Mayo producing Mayo Blackface Mountain Lambs.
Since 1962, the Calvey’s have also been slaughtering and butchering their blackface lambs in their own abattoir and butchery on Achill Island and today, the family still use the same craft work, artisan traditions and specialised skills.
If you’ve ever been to Achill Island, an inshore island on the Wild Atlantic Way off the Mayo coast, the one thing you’ll have seen plenty of are its famous Mayo Black Faced Mountain Sheep. These stunning creatures with their long shaggy coats, black faces and legs and curly horns are believed to be descended from the wild horned sheep which were found in ancient Asia.
Come and learn from this family, farming the land and these sheep for generations. Make a Memory!
Additional information
Check-in details
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your Experience.
As this is a working farm all children must be accompanied by an adult.
For your safety all guests are asked to remain with the tour at all times and not to wander off.
What to bring
As you will be outdoors, please wear appropriate footwear and raingear
Health & Safety
General Safety Guidelines
✅ Follow Instructions – Listen carefully to the guides and farmers for a safe and enjoyable visit.
✅ Stay with the Group – Always stick with the tour group and follow designated paths.
✅ Be Aware of Animals – Sheep and working dogs are accustomed to people but should not be approached without guidance.
Clothing & Footwear
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes – Waterproof walking boots or wellies are recommended, as terrain can be uneven or muddy.
🧥 Dress for the Weather – Achill’s climate can change quickly, so bring warm layers and a rain jacket.
👶 Supervise Children Closely – Keep a close eye on young visitors, as farms have natural hazards.
🐕 Respect Farm Dogs – Working dogs are trained but should not be petted or distracted unless advised.
By keeping these safety measures in mind, visitors can fully enjoy the Achill Mountain Lamb Experience while staying safe and comfortable.
FAQs
What does the Achill Mountain Lamb Experience entail?
The experience provides an immersive look into seven generations of the Calvey family's hill sheep farming on Achill Island. Participants engage in hands-on activities such as hand shearing, sheep herding with trained border collies, and exploring historic sites like Slievemore's deserted village. The tour concludes with a tasting of Calvey's Achill Mountain Lamb, prepared from their on-farm butchery.
Is the experience suitable for all ages and abilities?
Yes, the tour is designed to be inclusive and is disability-friendly. All ages are welcome to participate, making it a family-friendly activity.
What should participants bring or wear?
Given the outdoor nature of the experience, it's advisable to wear appropriate footwear and raingear to accommodate varying weather conditions.
Cancellations
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
