A number of weeks ago, sheep farmer Kieran Doona, who farms at Coornameana, Glencar, Co Kerry, brought his sheep to the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks for the rest of the summer after lambing.
Kieran is the fifth generation of Doonas with ownership of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks.
His father Donal and brother Shane were all on hand to bring the sheep back up to the mountain.
Donal Doona, right of Coornameana, Glencar, Co.Kerry, is married to Kathleen and they have two sons, Shane, left, and Kieran, middle, who is also a sheep farmer with land in Coolcummisk. The Doona family also run a bed and breakfast and camping facilities for walkers on the popular Kerry Way walking route. \Valerie O'SullivanDonal Doona, right of Coornameana, Glencar, Co Kerry, is married to Kathleen and they have two sons, Shane, left, and Kieran, middle, who is also a sheep farmer with land in Coolcummisk. \Valerie O'Sullivan
Lambing season is almost finished for 300 ewes, which the Doonas said was difficult this year due to the weather.
Some ewes had difficulty delivering lambs, did not want to bond with their young and got stressed easily.
While they were bringing the ewes up the mountain, one ewe started to lamb and needed assistance.
The outdoor maternity ward in full operation as Donal Doona and his Sons, Kieran, left and Shane, deliver a lamb on their land at Coornameana, Glencar, Co.Kerry. \ Valerie O'Sullivan
The outdoor maternity ward in full operation as the Doonas deliver a lamb on their land at Coornameana, Glencar, Co Kerry. \ Valerie O'Sullivan
The ewe and her lamb were then brought back to the shed where they were monitored for a few days before being let out to the open mountains a few days later.
Once back in the shed, the ewe is helped bond with the lamb and the lamb is helped to suckle, ready for the open mountains in a few days time. \ Valerie O’SullivanOnce back in the shed, the ewe is helped bond with the lamb and the lamb is helped to suckle, ready for the open mountains in a few days' time. \ Valerie O’Sullivan
Read more
‘The reason people can access the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks is thanks to farmers’
My Farming Week: Donal Doona, Glencar, Co Kerry
From Tallaght to Tuosist: a different route to hill farming
A number of weeks ago, sheep farmer Kieran Doona, who farms at Coornameana, Glencar, Co Kerry, brought his sheep to the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks for the rest of the summer after lambing.
Kieran is the fifth generation of Doonas with ownership of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks.
His father Donal and brother Shane were all on hand to bring the sheep back up to the mountain.
Donal Doona, right of Coornameana, Glencar, Co.Kerry, is married to Kathleen and they have two sons, Shane, left, and Kieran, middle, who is also a sheep farmer with land in Coolcummisk. The Doona family also run a bed and breakfast and camping facilities for walkers on the popular Kerry Way walking route. \Valerie O'SullivanDonal Doona, right of Coornameana, Glencar, Co Kerry, is married to Kathleen and they have two sons, Shane, left, and Kieran, middle, who is also a sheep farmer with land in Coolcummisk. \Valerie O'Sullivan
Lambing season is almost finished for 300 ewes, which the Doonas said was difficult this year due to the weather.
Some ewes had difficulty delivering lambs, did not want to bond with their young and got stressed easily.
While they were bringing the ewes up the mountain, one ewe started to lamb and needed assistance.
The outdoor maternity ward in full operation as Donal Doona and his Sons, Kieran, left and Shane, deliver a lamb on their land at Coornameana, Glencar, Co.Kerry. \ Valerie O'SullivanThe outdoor maternity ward in full operation as the Doonas deliver a lamb on their land at Coornameana, Glencar, Co Kerry. \ Valerie O'Sullivan
The ewe and her lamb were then brought back to the shed where they were monitored for a few days before being let out to the open mountains a few days later.
Once back in the shed, the ewe is helped bond with the lamb and the lamb is helped to suckle, ready for the open mountains in a few days time. \ Valerie O’SullivanOnce back in the shed, the ewe is helped bond with the lamb and the lamb is helped to suckle, ready for the open mountains in a few days' time. \ Valerie O’Sullivan
Read more
‘The reason people can access the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks is thanks to farmers’
My Farming Week: Donal Doona, Glencar, Co Kerry
From Tallaght to Tuosist: a different route to hill farming
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: