Future Horticultural Development at Gort-Na-Nain |
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When purchased in December 2003, Gort-Na-Nain consisted of a single 9 acre field in which arable crops were previously intensively grown (barley, potatoes, sugarbeet and wheat). The holding has now been divided into four separate fields for vegetable production (one field permanently occupied by perennial vegetables and polytunnels, and three in a potato-vegetable-clover rotation) and one field containing a newly built traditional-style round-top barn. The fields are separated by hedges consisting predominantly of hawthorn, with a wide variety of berry-producing plants to encourage bird-life. It is hoped that in the Spring of 2008 a 1/2 acre orchard will be planted in the field containing the barn. The orchard will consist of pear and apple trees (mostly Irish varieties sourced from Irish Seedsavers) planted within an established meadow contained over 10 grass species and 20 native wild flowers. Below the orchard, a smaller area of approximately 1/4 acre has been put aside for the future cultivation of soft fruit.
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The guesthouse is situated on a 3/4 acre plot, enclosed on one side by a newly planted 'woodland' consisting of ash, oak, alder, larch and Monterey pine. The woodland will act as a shelterbelt and, in time, supply all fuel needed to heat the guesthouse in Winter.
The barn is lofted and is used for forcing chicory in Winter, and (if the restaurant Café Paradiso get their way!) small-scale mushroom production in Autumn/Winter.
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Lucy Stewart & Ultan Walsh, Gort-Na-Nain, Ballyherkin, Nohoval, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
Tel: +353 21 4770647
Email: lucy@gortnanain.com
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