The acid conditions of Ireland’s boglands make it possible to grow some crops in the midlands that are not seen elsewhere in the country, notably cranberries and blueberries.
Slievebloom Farmhouse Foods has been run by Ciara Morris in her home village of Clareen since 1997. She makes a range of preserves, cranberry and blueberry chutneys and sauces, several of which – including a mulled wine & cranberry sauce – have achieved success at the Great Taste Awards.
A committed supporter of organically grown Irish produce, she promotes the health benefits of using natural products - especially locally produced cranberries and blueberries.
In 2006 she took this a stage further when she and her business partner, local farmer/fitter, Michael Camon acquired Ireland’s only cranberry farm, which was first started by Bord Na Mona as a pilot project - and now successfully produces fresh fruit for supply to some of Ireland’s top restaurants.
They also have three traditional thatched cottages available for visitors, nearby in Belmont (www.osierbrookcottages.ie).
