The Glen Keen Farmstand is a new agri-tourism venture located on the Wild Atlantic Way, 6.2 miles from Louisburgh, Co Mayo, on the Leenane road.

Situated on Mayo’s front door to the Delphi Valley, Killary Harbour and gateway to the Connemara region, the farm is stunning, with waterfalls and breathtaking valleys of the Carrowniskey River which forges through the centre of the property, and is bound by the Sheeffry and Mweelrea mountain ranges on the south side, serving as pillars to the Delphi Valley.

This countryside, an EU designated special area of conservation (SAC), is renowned for its beauty, natural habitats and archaeological sites.

The farm, an active, working sheep farm, is one of Ireland’s largest agri-tourism ventures.

The Glen Keen Farm is unique, due to its size, location and natural beauty. With over 1,400 acres, this family-owned sheep farm, with a commonage footprint that extends to over 5,500 acres, is larger than some national parks.

This new venture has been undertaken by Catherine and Jim Powers on Catherine’s family’s sheep farm. The facility attracted financial support from the South West Mayo Development Company under the Rural Development Programme.

The gentle/mild glen

In 1641, the owner of Glankenie was Richard McWalter McJordane. In Petty’s 1683 map, Glankenie becomes Glankeyne and in 1841, the village of Glankeen’s population was 51 males and 57 females.

The Great Hunger of the 1840s devastated the region and, by 1851, the population had plummeted to 31 males and 34 females when 22 homesteads became 12.

This wilderness and isolation of such areas means that little has changed in the landscape over the centuries and the geology and archaeology that defines that landscape tells the story of Ireland through the centuries.

The newly built farmstand provides ample parking for coaches and cars to access the facility, which includes traditional tearooms, a spacious craft shop promoting locally produced craft, knitwear and souvenirs, a commercially designed kitchen to cater for large groups and visitors alike and a multipurpose lecture hall and exhibition area. This newly built visitor centre makes an ideal stopping point along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Hill walking

Glen Keen is nestled between the Sheafrey and Mweelrea mountain ranges, providing a spectacular backdrop to the farm. Mweelrea (2,670ft) is the highest point in the province of Connacht. It overlooks Killary Harbour to the south and the Doolough Valley to the north.

The summit provides stunning views of the surrounding area, including views of Galway and Mayo, and the Atlantic Ocean. Ben Gorm, another stunning mountain, is part of the Sheafrey range. At 2,300ft, the summit provides spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Visitor centre

The Glen Keen Farm visitor centre has capacity for 250 guests and is equipped with traditional tearooms, craft shop stocked with Irish handmade art and crafts and an historic photographic exhibition.

See www.glenkeenfarm.com