Michael Keegan is the last of 2023’s Ambassadors to be introduced to the Network.
Michael Keegan is a part-time sheep farmer and full-time manager of an ecological restoration project in the Uplands of Co. Wicklow.
Michael’s journey to farming for nature began when he was approached about this job . Without any prior knowledge or experience, he has since lead the way in heather cutting, treatment of the invasive Rhododendron plants in the woodland, bruising and treatment of bracken, repair and restoration of the traditional drystone walls, management of deer population, tagging and recording of raptors, gathering seeds from native trees and shrubs, and planting with native trees and shrubs.
He has also applied some of these principles to his own land of around 130 acres, with an ongoing dedication to planting more and more trees. He plants in gaps in his hedgerows and has planted up a ‘hare’s corner’ with native tree species. This has not impacted his stock numbers at all. He runs over 250 Easycare ewes which are outwintered and lamb outside. He has reduced his chemical inputs and uses multi species swards in many paddocks. Consequently he says ‘I feel much better about what I’m doing’. Future plans include converting a sitka spruce plantation into native woodland once the former matures.
More on Michael’s farm here.
Michael will be joining us on the 8th October at 8pm for an Online Q&A which is free to join:
