Potato grower Sean Ryan took the opportunity of National Potato Day with both hands. Sean hosted over 200 children from six local primary schools on his farm in Ballywilliam, Co Wexford, on Monday.

They were given the full story of the spud. Sean explained how the potato crop is grown, showing them soil samples and planting machinery, and demonstrating dry-matter testing. In the grading shed, they were shown how cold storage, grading, washing, bagging and stitching takes place. They were brought by tractor and trailer (sitting on comfy bales of straw) out to a field where potato harvesting was taking place and were able to pick some potatoes themselves.

They then went to Sean’s shop, which is unusual in that it is self-service. People come in, get what they want, write it down on an envelope, put money in the envelope and drop it in a safe at the counter.