KEEL FARM FIELD GUIDE
On the Hill with the Calveys: Seven Generations of Achill Mountain Lamb
A 1.5-hour, hands-on visit at Martin Calvey’s farm in Keel that combines hill-sheep demonstrations, working-dog herding and a tasting of Achill Mountain Lamb.
On the Hill with the Calveys: Seven Generations of Achill Mountain Lamb.
Perched on the high hills of Achill Island, the Calvey farm offers a compact, immersive window into seven generations of hill sheep farming. Over ninety minutes you move from hillside demonstrations to the farm kitchen, witnessing traditional Mayo Blackface Mountain Sheep husbandry and finishing with a tasting of the farm’s lamb — a tidy slice of island life that links land, livestock and table.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Seven generations of Calvey farming
The Calvey family have farmed on Achill for seven generations, maintaining artisan butchery traditions on the island since the early 1960s.
Mayo Blackface Mountain Sheep up close
The farm keeps Mayo Blackface Mountain Sheep — long, shaggy-coated animals with black faces and curved horns — the island’s iconic hill breed and the focus of hands-on demonstrations.
From hilltop to table: Achill Mountain Lamb tasting
Visits end with a tasting of Achill Mountain Lamb — slow‑cooked traditional Irish stew served with homemade brown soda bread and Irish butter — showcasing ingredients reared and prepared on the island.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
The rhythm of the visit is deliberate and tactile: a gathering at the family farm, a walk across the hill past grazing flocks, hands-on demonstrations of hand shearing and working-dog herding, and a close-out in the farmhouse with a bowl of Traditional Irish Stew made from the Calveys’ lamb. It’s an intimate, practical look at island farming where craft, landscape and food meet.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who it was designed for.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
As the visit is outdoors, wear appropriate footwear and raingear.
The experience lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Meet at Martin Calvey's Farm, Keel, Achill Island, Mayo (F28 A9N2).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What does the Achill Mountain Lamb Experience entail?
The experience is an immersive look at seven generations of the Calvey family’s hill sheep farming on Achill Island, with hands‑on activities such as hand shearing, sheep herding with trained border collies, and a concluding tasting of the Calveys’ Achill Mountain Lamb prepared in their on‑farm butchery.
Is the experience suitable for all ages and abilities?
Yes. The tour is designed to be inclusive and is described as disability‑friendly; all ages are welcome.
What should I bring or wear?
Because much of the experience takes place outdoors, participants are advised to wear appropriate footwear and raingear.
Will I get to taste the farm’s lamb?
Yes. The visit concludes with a tasting of Achill Mountain Lamb, including traditional Irish Stew made from the farm’s lamb.
Are the activities hands‑on?
Yes. Participants can engage in hands‑on tasks such as hand shearing and directing the working sheepdog.