March 24, 2003
Meals on Wheels
It's that time of year again, when lambs and calves can be seen frolicking around the hills (and sometimes the roads) of Ireland. One farmer is making sure that children all over Mayo will get to see them this year.
With livestock such as sheep, calves and chickens, the "farm on wheels" has begun visiting schools in County Mayo to inform pupils about life on the land.
The venture, a 20ft trailer towed by a Land Rover, has been dubbed Murphy's Ark after the family running the scheme.
Fergal Murphy, the man behind the idea, said: "With pictures of animals painted on the sides, it is proving quite a sight when the moving farm pulls up at school gates in rural Ireland."
Ever practical, Minister Eamonn O' Cuiv likes the sound of it .
He said: "For many children and urban dwellers, it is difficult to trace the origin of food products back much further than the local supermarket.
Actually, I doubt if the little moppets are thinking of shepherds pie or the hang sangwich when they are petting Flossie or Daisy.
It must be the first time that farm animals have disappeared out the farm gate in a trailer and returned to tell the rest of the farmyard about it.
Posted by Monasette at March 24, 2003 11:45 PM