Regenerative Farming Takes Centre Stage in Enniscorthy

From Friday, May 30th to Sunday, June 1st, Enniscorthy will host a powerful and inspiring three-day event dedicated to the future of farming — one that works with nature instead of against it.

Organised by Moyne Veterinary Hospital, this regenerative farming seminar will take place across two local venues: The Riverside Hotel and Enniscorthy Castle. With a lineup of expert speakers, practical demonstrations, and family-friendly activities, the event aims to deepen understanding and share real-world stories about how regenerative practices are transforming Irish farms — economically, environmentally, and ecologically. Regenerative farming is an approach focused on restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing dependency on chemical inputs. By enhancing the humus layer — the living sponge-like topsoil that can hold up to 100 times its own weight in water — farmers are seeing reduced input costs, healthier animals, and more resilient crops. In Ireland’s South East, organic matter in soil has dropped to as low as 2%. As input costs spiral, some farmers are looking for a new path — one that’s proving to be not just sustainable, but profitable. Friday, 30th May – Riverside Hotel Mike Walsh (SETU lecturer & dairy farmer) Farming without chemical inputs for 7 years Slashing input costs and boosting herd performance Multi-species swards and enzyme-enhanced slurry David Wallis (DANU Project Coordinator) 5-year EU-funded study across 12 farms Nitrogen use cut by up to 70%, insecticide use eliminated Real-world results from Irish grassland and tillage farms Tommy Tierney (Tillage Farmer, Kildare) 9 years of no-till farming Halved his costs while maintaining yield Bronagh O’Kane (Beef & Sheep Farmer, NI) 5 years into her regenerative journey Candid reflections from a new generation of farmers Fraser & Jonathan Rothwell Father and son dairy duo share their first-year progress since last year's seminar Saturday, 31st May – Enniscorthy Castle: “Conversations in the Castle” Dr. Verner Wheelock Renowned author & lecturer The impact of food quality on human health Tommy Heffernan (Vet) Microbiome links: from soil to animals to humans Yvanna Greene Bees and biodiversity: restoring balance in the landscape Sunday, 1st June – Enniscorthy Castle Alan Poole (Farming With Nature Ambassador) Enhancing biodiversity as a core farming strategy Silja Harms (Herbalist) “Herbal Heroes” workshop & DIY herbal salve making Mary Reynolds Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medalist Best-selling author & rewilding advocate Closing talk on becoming “guardians, not gardeners” Tickets for each day are available via Eventbrite: Friday 30th May – Ground Rules Saturday 31st & Sunday 1st June – Conversations in the Castle For bookings, visit: Eventbrite.ie and search for “Ground Rules” or “Conversations in the Castle”.