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The Rooster potato has been a common household name for many years, favoured by consumers for their floury texture, distinctive dark red skin, smooth surface, shallow eyes and round, uniform shape.
Rooster continues to command the highest majority of the Irish potato market and its roots can be traced back to Co Carlow.
Rooster was one of more than 35 potato varieties developed by Harry Kehoe and his team at Teagasc, Oak Park, Co Carlow (formerly An Foras Talúntais). Harry worked closely with IPM Potato Group during this time.
Next week, a new festival will take place in Co Carlow to mark the success of the Rooster variety.
Three-day festival
Next Friday, 5 October, the first day of the Carlow Rooster Festival also coincides with National Potato Day and students from across the country are invited to Teagasc, Oak Park, to learn about the development of the Rooster by potato breeder Harry Kehoe.
Students will also get a chance to learn about a range of other topics, including breeding, agronomy, pathology, soils and farm safety to mention but a few.
Over the course the weekend, visitors are invited to take part in a range of family-friendly events, including machinery through the ages, junior treasure hunt, children’s fun area, tours of Oak Park house, potato breeding and cooking demonstrations, pick your own potatoes and the national potato picking championships.
In a statement, research officer with Teagasc Denis Griffin commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Oak Park for the Rooster festival in October and believe that this is a great opportunity to showcase the potato in a unique way and highlight its worldwide appeal.”
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