Mount Stewart Farmland (Part 1)

Some staff and volunteers from the National Trust Property at Mount Stewart were taken on a 3 hour walk round the farmland by George, the Farm Manager and unfortunately it was pouring rain however George was very informative.  There are 5 tenant farmers and there are cereal crops grown as well as beef and dairy cattle keep.  This first image below is one of only a few dovecotes left in Ireland and has recently been reroofed.

We started at the farm building and I found it fascinating as within 5 years this huge area will be converted to become the hub at Mount Stewart and where the reception area etc will stem from.  It is very impressive but I huge amount of work lies ahead for this to happen.

This complete roof has been retiled with very special slates.

  

Above is a field of barley, across the path are broad beans and the following image is wheat.  Some are used for the cattle, some grass is make into silage and some into hay.

The demesne and farmland pathways are being slowly reinstated and already there are over 4 miles of different walks open to the public, however in the future, they hope that eventually there will be 20 miles.  George was showing us about 7 different seed heads and these sunflowers apart from the birds loving the seed, the public can enjoy them in the summer time.

This last image is of the old piggery which was keep well away from the house due to the smell.  The trust are now adding very study picnic table so that people can stop on their walks round the demense.

Many thanks for visiting and also for leaving any comments.