About Us
Ardboula Farm is our dream, our enterprise project of redeveloping an average family owned Irish cattle farm into an organic horticulture and beef farm. We incorporate rural tourism through self-catering accommodation, and are striving to live a self-sustainable lifestyle in the beautiful county of Clare.
Who We Are
We, Willie & Christine O’Brien, run the farm, manage the property and raise our three children. We opened Ardboula House on 16th August 2014 and have been delighted to welcome families from many countries around the globe. We commenced the process of converting our farm into an organic status in 2015, and are making our foray into commercial horticulture mid 2017 with the installation of our first polytunnel. We aim to produce and sell organic produce for local ‘at-home delivery’ and direct farm-gate sales and hope to expand our self-catering business.
To make a long story short: Willie bought the property in 1992 at the age of 23; met Christine in Perth, Western Australia in 1997; Christine landed in Shannon Airport in May 2001, they married in July 2003 at Knockjames Church, Tulla – and the rest is current history! A more detailed history of the farm is available in the Ardboula House Report (see link).
Aspirations
Our aspirations for the farm include producing our own bee products; keeping poultry (including funky species like guinea fowl); developing a fruit and nut grove; creating an educational program for school children about the ‘ground to table approach’ to self-sustainability; organising annual seasonal and cultural events – no such thing as little dreams!