Good Food Ireland® Approved Since 2014
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Overview
The Malone Family produce soft fruit from their Co. Carlow based farm. Fresh fruits are available in summer, and frozen fruits are also available all year round for smoothies and desserts, jam making and jellies. These can be purchased from the Malone Farm Shop in Ballon, Co. Carlow. They also produce a wide variety of jams, jellies, marmalades, chutneys, fruit tonics and cordials, as well as a variety of hampers and gift ideas for special occasions.Meet The Maker
Tom Malone first started growing strawberries in 1998, as a casual project that would give summer work to his children. That project grew into a business, with all the family involved, and a relocation from the original home in Tallow to this farm with farm shop just outside the village of Ballon, in rural County Carlow. Malone’s Fruit Farm is now run by son James and sisters. Although, Tom is still on hand for packing and delivering the best quality fruits at the height of the summer season.
Strawberries are the main crop here, but James Malone also soil grows raspberries, blackberries, tayberries, loganberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and white currants, and in good years (or when the birds don’t get them!) cherries. For a very short time in the summer, a couple of trees yield peaches and nectarines. A special treat if you manage to get some. Green and red gooseberries and rhubarb are grown outdoors. Careful tending and lots of variety mean a good fresh fruit yield during the season.
Visitors to the farm can see the tunnels and outdoor-grown fruit bushes on site. All produce is available at the farm shop, local farmers markets, selected independent retails and online.
Other Facilities
Sustainability
Malone Fruit Farm implements sustainable farming practices, such as minimal use of chemicals plus biological control (pests introduced to eat the troublesome pests which damage the fruits), which means a healthy crop with a season stretching from mid-May to October. James Malone chooses Irish plants, pollinated naturally in his polytunnels by bees introduced specially for the job.
Nearby Experiences
Experiences- Accommodation
- Dining
- Cook & Shop
- Meet the Makers
