Pig Feast at Shournagh Valley Farm

The weather was holding up last Saturday when we visited Shournagh Valley Farm where Ken& Frances Mitchell

showed us around their organic pig farm and allotments. It was windy but at least dry. Ken is rearing his own pigs and sells them to local businesses (Waterloo Inn Restaurant being one of them) and of course to Slowfood..... Ken is an all-rounder as there seems to be nothing he wouldn't put his mind or hands to it. He built the spit roast himself, having the heat coming from the sides rather than from beneath. He and Francis got up early that day to make sure that the pig will be ready, moist and succulent for the pig feast. Francis had the duty of basting the pig regularly and let's say, the pig was so succulent that people were bagging some leftovers to take home

The tour of the farm started at the pig run where he 'introduced' his 2 sows and the 'man'. He explained how he keeps them and seeing them being happy out and about and absolutely not shy at all, showed that this is pig farming as it should be.

To prove that he is a Jack of all Trades, he started to develop a wildlife pond at the bottom of his farm where he hopes to be able to farm some rainbow trout for his own consumption - a pity for all keen anglers (but I can see another Slowfood event coming up here). It looks already very idyllic and I can imagine how it will look in a few months time.

The tour lead us then to the allotments of the farm. There are currently 14 allotment holders but Ken & Francis still have room for more. It is not too late to start the allotments in May as garden centers offer already established plants that will make it easy to grow your own vegetables. Being part of an allotment group also means that you can learn from a combined experience and swap vegetables. The group also comes together to celebrate their harvest etc. Please contact Francis on shournaghvalleyallotments@live.ie if you are interested in becoming part of the allotment movement.

But of course, the highlight of the day was the pig feast at the end of the tour - the pig looked amazing on the spit and you could hear the crackling before you saw it. It took 2 people (thanks Terence for your help) to get the pig from the spit and everyone started to queue as everyone wanted some

of the crackling. Green salad from my own garden with homemade dressing (Terence - again thanks for the dressing)

a mushroom quiche, potato salad and 3 different breads - all homemade of course- completed a meal that could truly be
called a Feast. The homemade cider that Ken offered warmed us from the inside and we all watched the rain pouring down - we were nicely sheltered and enjoyed the company of like minded foodies.... enjoy the photos below and thank you to Ken & Francis for being amazing hosts and for a wonderful day at their farm.

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