Organic Matters Podcast is brought to you every Saturday by the Irish Organic Association. Our host Hannah Quinn-Mulligan will expertly guide you through each episode as we meet organic farmers and food producers from all over Ireland. We have been certifying organic farms and businesses for 40 years and we bring you a flavour of why organic matters now more than ever. Meet some of our fantastic members discussing how organic is central to their business. Tune in every Saturday at 12 noon.
Season 5: Diversification with sheep, blueberries and paludiculture
This week on Organic Matters, we speak to organic sheep and horticulture farmer John O'Sullivan, who farms over 800 acres of largely boggy soil in Connemara. John has also diversified into agri-tourism and is experimenting with paludiculture to support farm profitability and environmental performance.
John talks about the various enterprises on Derreighter Organic Farm, including his flock of 200 ewes lambed outdoors in mid-April. He also specialises in organic berry production, with the wool used as a nutrient source for the bushes. Berries work well as they like acidic soil and adequate moisture. The O’Sullivans also host people on the farm, offering accommodation, workshops, a wood-fired sauna converted from an old trailer, and more.
In addition, John is part of an EU-funded project called Palus Demo, which is exploring how to alter the water table on part of the farm to encourage sphagnum mosses to re-establish, which can help to sequester carbon, improve biodiversity, and rebuild the bogs, while at the same time exploring commercial opportunities for berry production on the same land.
10 Oct 2026
Season 5: Suckler farming on Queen Meav's island
This week on Organic Matters, we take to the water to bring you a very special podcast on Inis Cloithrinn or Quaker Island as it is locally known, where organic livestock farmer Herbert Farrell keeps native Irish Droimeann cattle and the Lough Ree goat breed. The island is steeped in history, including being home to a monastic settlement, known as the resting spot of the legendary Queen Medb and being connected to the Farrell name since 1141.
Herbert talks extensively about his Droimeann herd, which are born and bred on the island and about the important role that the landscape, flora and fauna play in supporting his animal husbandry throughout the year. Females are sold as weanlings for breeding, with males kept for finishing. He also touches on how he has developed short supply chains to market for his meat, supplying into the local restaurant Skelly’s Bar in Ballymahon as well as producing beef boxes sold direct to the consumer.
26 Sept 2026
Season 5: Getting your organic suckler and sheep system right for you
This week on Organic Matters, we speak to James Donnellan, an organic suckler and sheep farmer based in Northeast Galway. James talks about his love of Aubrac cattle and the importance of getting an organic system right for the individual farmer.
James speaks about why the Aubrac cattle breed may be suitable for some organic suckler farmers, from ease of calving to good carcass and conformation for finishing.* As well as his pedigree Aubrac cattle, he talks about his Belcare/EasyCare cross flock, with finished organic lambs sold to one of the main processors, together with other organic farmers.
He also covers a range of other topics, including good animal housing for the winter months, sward diversity and management, sourcing feed directly from other organic farmers, and taking advantage of the Organic Capital Investment Scheme. Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/58f43efv
*The Irish Aubrac Cattle Breed Society will hold its annual Elite Show and Sale on Saturday 24th October at GVM Mart in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Who has been a guest on Organic Matters
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Donagh O'Grady
Mitch Corbett
Harry Badrick
Charlie Hogan
Dan Hogan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
67,850
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
4.8 / 5
18 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
47
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
85
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