In this Kyrie Farm Spring Newsletter we are especially pleased to feature the recent RTÉ One Nationwide programme on Kyrie Farm. We also take a moment to acknowledge and thank Ciara Glynn & Hugh Millar for their significant contributions to the project as they step down from the board. It was also a pleasure to welcome a visit from Sinn Féin representatives, along with many other encouraging developments across the farm.

We were delighted to welcome the HSE Sustainability Group to @kyriefarmie last week for a day of mindfulness, time working with the land, and rich conversations on recovery-oriented approaches to mental health in Ireland.

At Kyrie Farm, we are developing a transformative model of recovery—one that supports people experiencing mental health challenges to reconnect, rebuild, and live to their fullest potential.

Our vision is to create a unique healing environment that brings together nature, meaningful participation, community, and therapeutic support.

With full planning permission in place, Kyrie Farm is now “shovel ready” and, with the right support, could be up and running within two years.

We were proud to recently welcome Deputy Sorcha Clarke, Deputy Reada Cronin, Senator Chris Andrews and Siobhra Andrews to Kyrie Farm.  Thank you for taking the time to visit, to listen, and to engage so meaningfully with what we are trying to build — a new, recovery-focused model of mental health care rooted in community, connection and nature. We were particularly encouraged by your words following the visit:

“Investment in Kyrie Farm would not just be funding a project, it would be backing a vision for mental health care that is person-focused, restorative and community-led.”

This is exactly the conversation Ireland needs right now. Kyrie Farm represents an opportunity to develop a new approach to mental health recovery - one that complements existing services and offers people real pathways back to purpose, dignity and belonging.

We deeply appreciate your support and look forward to continuing the conversation on how this vision can be realised.

50 volunteers came together for our February Volunteer Day — hedge laying, clearing polytunnels, getting ready to welcome two donkeys, and preparing for spring planting. So much achieved. So many good conversations. So much connection with each other and with the land. Thank you all for being part of this growing community.

At Kyrie Farm, volunteering isn’t about fixing anyone — it’s about showing up, being present, and creating space for relationship and connection.

This short film captures a little of that spirit. Thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy and heart — you are part of what makes this place special. 🌱 The link below has some lovely words from Dr Eoin Galavan.

2025 has been a year of real progress for Kyrie Farm 🌿. From growing food and biodiversity on the land, to deepening partnerships, expanding our volunteer community, and sharing the vision of Recovery-oriented mental health support far and wide — so much has been achieved. We’re deeply grateful to our supporters, volunteers, donors and partners who continue to walk this journey with us. With designs finalised and momentum building, we move into 2026 as a shovel-ready project, full of hope and possibility

Winter sunlight, good people, and meaningful work — our December Volunteer Day was full of warmth, connection and nature’s quiet beauty. Thank you to all our volunteers for helping harvest potatoes and shape a more biodiverse, healing landscape here at Kyrie Farm.

Kyrie Farm volunteers recently visited the Irish Donkey Sanctuary for training and to meet Dax and Lester, two wonderful donkeys who will soon be joining us at the farm. The visit was a great opportunity to learn from experienced staff and to prepare properly for welcoming our new residents. A huge thank you to everyone at the Irish Donkey Sanctuary for their generosity, training and expertise — we’re deeply grateful for the support.

From harvesting potatoes and yacons to planting trees and starting our new 400m biodiversity hedge - every pair of hands made a difference. A heartfelt thank-you to all our volunteers for your time, energy and care, especially braving the weather after storm Claudia.

Well done to Nathan Jackson and Jim Daly who have been growing yacón on Kyrie Farm this year — a lesser-known root vegetable from South America with a naturally sweet, crisp texture. Yacón is low on the glycaemic index and is often considered suitable for people managing diabetes. It’s another example of how we’re exploring diverse, nourishing crops that support both health and sustainability.

This month, Sonja shared a beautiful piece of traditional craft with us on the farm—creating natural ink from oak galls gathered on our land. Oak gall ink has been used for centuries, including in manuscripts like the Book of Kells, and watching the process unfold reminded us of the deep connections between nature, creativity, and Irish heritage. It’s a lovely example of the wisdom and artistry that our volunteers bring to Kyrie Farm, and of the many ways the land continues to inspire.

Our brassicas and leeks are thriving, but the highlight of October’s volunteer day was unearthing those golden spuds. Huge thanks to all our amazing volunteers for getting their hands dirty and making it such a great day! And a special thanks to Suzanne and Trish photographed preserving the strawberry plants for overwintering.

The intention behind this €20,000 AIB award, together with the very generous donations of €10,000 and €1,000, is to further develop the Octagon space at Kyrie Farm through improved flooring and lighting. These enhancements will allow us to host more wellbeing, mindfulness and mental health talks and events, enabling Kyrie Farm to continue contributing meaningfully to Ireland’s mental health discourse and to share the positive impact that recovery-oriented services can have on people’s lives.

30th October

We were delighted to have a visit from The Acre Garden Club in Celbridge. The Acre center has agreed to be a pick up location for Kyrie Vegetable bags customers. Vegetables are harvested in the morning, and distributed to the Acre center available for collection in the afternoon.

We are also delighted to welcome a number of the club members to volunteer at Kyrie Farm.

Friday 26th September

We were delighted to welcome a brilliant group from Trinity College Dublin’s School of Medicine to Kyrie Therapeutic Farm. 

We’re excited to explore collaboration across multiple fronts: soil health and nutrition, biodiversity and sustainability, social inclusion, and recovery-oriented mental health—bringing science, community, and nature together for real-world impact.

Grateful to all who came: Colin P. Doherty, Rupa Marya, Eileen Sweeney, Martina Mullin, Sophie Matabaro, Clíona Ní Cheallaigh, Laura Healy, Catherine Darker, Ola Løkken Nordrum, Jane Stout, Tracey, Sarah Jane Cullinane and Laura Healy.

Looking forward to the seeds of collaboration we planted together taking root and flourishing.

Saturday 27th September

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, supported, and donated in our Step Up for Recovery 5km walk on Saturday 🌱💚

Despite the rain, you showed up in your droves to walk with us, and we are so grateful.

To those who joined from afar, from Tokyo to France, Australia to the UK and beyond, your participation meant the world. 🌍✨

You really do make a difference - thank you! 💚

Saturday 21st September

Another amazing volunteer day at Kyrie Farm! 🌿🌱

Our team worked hard weeding, staking our newly planted native trees - and of course, having a bit of fun in the process!

Big thanks to everyone for your dedication and hard work, together, we’re making a difference! 🙌💚

Delighted to welcome the HSE mental health teams from Clonskeagh Hospital Campus to Kyrie Farm for a day of mindfulness, reflection, and recovery-focused conversation.

24th July, 2025

We were delighted to welcome Frances, Maria and Harry of the ACRES Community Biodiversity Project from Celbridge to Kyrie Farm. Their enthusiasm for nature, community wellbeing, and sustainability made for a truly inspiring visit.

9th July, 2025

A beautiful day of connection, mindfulness, and shared vision at Kyrie Farm 🌿  We were delighted to welcome Dr Emer Rutledge and the dedicated community mental health teams of Louth and Meath, for an inspiring exchange on open dialogue and the Kyrie approach to recovery.

1st July, 2025

Saturday 28th June, we had an incredible day with over 55 of our amazing volunteers who help keep Kyrie Farm thriving all year long!

A massive thank you to the whole team that organized this charity golf day with such short notice, but made it great fun and a fabulous day out for all involved. 

Dr Eoin Galavan and John Mckeon were honoured to attend President Higgins’ garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin  celebrating global solidarity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals - values that resonate deeply with us at Kyrie Farm.

John & Vicky McKeon were delighted to visit Gould Farm in June and had an amazing insight into the great work that takes place in Gould Farm.

We are delighted to have started back with our vegetable boxes or now bags with our new Kyrie Bags. 

Nearly 40 amazing volunteers joined us on Saturday 24th May to lend a hand at Kyrie Farm — planting, weeding, tidying the drive, and helping build our very first pond! 

Our thanks to Jane and all the teachers @hotyogadublin.ie and yoga in the park Malahide for having Kyrie Farm as their chosen charity for the whole of the Summer of 2025. 

The Kyrie team visited Wild Acres for inspiration and connection with like-minded projects working to support healing through nature and community.

April 9, 2025 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKAMJiiM9qt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

May 24th 2025

Minister James Lawless visited the farm and shared his encouragement for Kyrie Farm’s vision—watch the short video from his visit 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJwlZbxM3IO/?igsh=aXVzZTQ2YndybDJ4

May 17, 2025

Our sincere thanks to the members of St Michael’s Bridge Club for their support and generous donation of €1520 in aid of Kyrie Farm.

May 2, 2025

We were proud to present to the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland at their AGM and share our recovery-focused model and plans for Kyrie Farm. A big thank you to Lisa Morrison for travelling down from Belfast for the event.

April 11, 2025

It was a pleasure to host the Kildare Mental Health team for some mindfulness on the farm and sharing the vision of Kyrie Farm.

February 18, 2025

Lots of volunteers at the farm today tidying up, harvesting and weeding as well as the wonderful catering team, looking after us all.

February 15th, 2025

A lively volunteer day on the land as the weather warms—thank you to all who took part and contributed their time and energy and planting nearly 800 trees, and expanding our orchard.

March 30, 2025

We were honoured to welcome the board members of the GROW Mental Health charity for a tour and discussion on shared values on Recovery oriented solutions for the Mental Health crisis that Ireland faces.

March 21, 2025

Our volunteers worked hard today, harvesting onions and packing veg boxes, while Billy Murphy shared exciting new landscape designs for Kyrie Farm.

11th September

Community in action—thank you to all the volunteers who braved the cold weather in January to help us keep delivering our vegetables boxes.

January 30, 2025

Grateful for the volunteers who gave their time just before Christmas to help us harvest the vegetables for the Christmas vegetable boxes and share in the spirit of the season.

December 22, 2024

We were delighted to welcome the team from O’Connor Sutton Cronin, our engineers, who continue to play a key role in the technical design and planning of Kyrie Farm. But today it was all about volunteering on the farm!

December 5, 2024

An important milestone in shaping how Kyrie Farm will support guests, as our service delivery committee develops the philosophy, processes and policies for Kyrie Farm. Thanks to all who traveled for this important meeting which took place at SoEarth in County Kildare

November 26, 2024

A heartfelt thanks to the 40+ volunteers who joined us for a powerful and productive day on the farm—your support brings the vision of Kyrie to life, step by step.

November 2, 2024

Exciting times at Kyrie Farm as soil investigations are now underway, helping finalize designs and engineering for our upcoming plans.

19th October

It was wonderful to host around 20 conference attendees yesterday! We toured the farm, old buildings, new orchard, and crops, sparking discussions on how Kyrie Farm can make a difference. Thanks for your support!

12th October

What an inspiring #WorldMentalHealthDay at the Royal Irish Academy! We were honored to present Kyrie Farm’s vision for recovery-oriented mental health care in Ireland. Huge thanks to Catherine Brogan for chairing, and to Lisanne Finston, CEO of Gould Farm, for traveling from Massachusetts. Engaging discussions with John McKeon, Eoin Galavan, and Lesley Ann Dunne made the day exceptional, with a special review from Professor Agnes Higgins on Kyrie Farm’s alignment with the Sharing the Vision strategy. Our gratitude to Maynooth University and Mental Health Ireland for their unwavering support. Here’s to the future!

10th October

Honored to host Lisanne Finston, CEO of Gould Farm, and her partner Patty at Kyrie Farm today ahead of tomorrow's conference on World Mental Health Day.

9th October

A fantastic day with 30 volunteers cleaning onions, harvesting potatoes, and tidying up the farm—fuelled by our wonderful kitchen team’s snacks and coffee!

5th October

On this sunny day, we finished our onion harvest and bid a temporary goodbye to Michelle, one of our dedicated volunteers, as she embarks on a year of travels. Best of luck, Michelle!

18th September

Despite the drizzle, nearly 40 volunteers joined us to harvest potatoes, weed the beetroots and cauliflower, and tidy up the yard. Thanks to our kitchen team for the delicious sandwiches and cakes!

14th September

Wednesday’s volunteers harvested and set onions to dry, with beautiful salad leaves and tomatoes flourishing alongside them!

4th September

Friday’s volunteers took a well-deserved coffee break in the sunshine after lots of weeding and packing of vegetable boxes.

30th August

Our dedicated volunteers tackled weeds in the cabbage patches and packed 27 vegetable boxes—another busy, productive day!

28th August

This past Saturday, we hosted our annual BBQ to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported Kyrie Farm over the past year. From our dedicated board members, volunteers, architects, engineers, and biodiversity supporters, to our generous donors and wonderful neighbors, it was a joy to gather together and celebrate our collective achievements. 

24th August 2024

Today, our incredible volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work, tackling a variety of essential tasks that keep our farm thriving.  From fixing the polytunnel door, planting new crops, or keeping our gardens weed-free.

21 August

Kyrie Farm’s orchard is flourishing, thanks to 18 months of care and recent re-staking by Billy and his team. The orchard plays a crucial role in our farm’s biodiversity, supporting both wildlife and our community.

11 August

Today at Kyrie Farm, 37 dedicated volunteers came together under the warm sunshine to tackle essential weeding tasks for this season’s carrots, leeks, and brassicas. Weeding is a vital part of organic farming, ensuring that our crops receive the nutrients they need to thrive. 

10 August

Nearly 30 volunteers joined forces to plant 1,500 cabbages and weed vegetable patches at Kyrie Farm. Cabbages, rich in nutrients and essential for soil health, are a cornerstone of our organic crop rotation. This collaborative effort, coupled with discussions on mental health, highlights the farm’s mission of sustainability and community support. 

14 July

Kyrie Farm welcomed experts from O’Connor Sutton Cronin to develop our ecology and biodiversity strategy. Biodiversity is key to creating a healing environment, supporting both the land and the community. This partnership is vital in ensuring Kyrie Farm remains a place of growth and renewal, rooted in sustainable practices. 

11 July

Our volunteers recently planted lettuce and harvested fresh produce, filling our organic vegetable boxes with nutrient-rich greens. Together, we’re cultivating a healthy, sustainable community through organic farming and volunteer dedication. 

11 July

After a productive day spent tidying up the farm, our hardworking volunteers always enjoy well-deserved afternoon lunch. Maintaining the farm is essential for preparing the land for new growth, and the shared meal afterward is always a highlight—a moment to relax, enjoy fresh, locally sourced food, and celebrate the teamwork that keeps Kyrie Farm thriving.

27 April 2024

Kyrie Farm is excited to deliver fresh, organic vegetable boxes, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and farm expert Nathan. This week, they harvested produce and planted leeks, a nutrient-rich crop that supports both our community’s health and sustainable farming practices. Our volunteers play a crucial role in creating a brighter, healthier future. 

3 July

At Kyrie Farm, volunteers have successfully planted leeks, a vital crop that enhances soil fertility and aligns with our sustainable practices. We’re grateful for the volunteer efforts that ensure our farm thrives as a beacon of sustainability and health. 

9 July

Our volunteers recently gathered at Kyrie Farm to harvest this year's garlic crop, guided by our expert Nathan. The garlic will soon feature in our organic veg boxes, symbolizing the blend of community spirit and sustainable farming. Our biodiverse farm thrives thanks to the dedication of volunteers who ensure fresh, nutritious produce for our community. 

29 June

Our volunteers today focused on clearing weeds, a crucial task in organic farming. By removing these invasive plants, they ensured that our crops have the best environment to grow strong and healthy, promoting a balanced ecosystem and supporting the farm's commitment to sustainable agriculture.

2 March 2024

Our team at Kyrie Farm carefully laid out onions to dry, a key step in preserving their rich flavor and extending their shelf life. This process is vital for reducing waste and ensuring that these staple vegetables can be enjoyed in our recipes and veg boxes long after the harvest season.

28 Jan 2024 

Harvesting potatoes - Big thank you to everyone involved. 

Cleaning the polytunnel - thank you to all our volunteers

Family Day BBQ – Thanks to all our supporters

Harvesting Onions, Staking Trees & more – Thank You!

Volunteers helping with the weeding to ensure a great harvest

OTs from North Dublin HSE volunteer on the farm

Planting the new season vegetables

Preparing the soil and seeds for new season

 Planting Leeks

Ryan Tubridy chatting to John McKeon

LISTEN HERE

Seeds in the polytunnel

Irish Research Council Grant Award to Maynooth University for Kyrie Farm research

Becoming a centre of excellence in mental health service is a key goal for Kyrie Farm. University led research is a core aspect of this journey. International research and best practice informs all aspects of our planned service delivery and many examples serve as inspiration, as referenced by the World Health Organisation, for example Soteria Houses, Open Dialogue and other recovery oriented services. Our services will be inspired also by other therapeutic farms both nationally like Sli Eile, and internationally like Gould Farm in the US, who have demonstrated promising results for residents in longer term outcome studies. We are delighted that Maynooth University has joined as a partner in our journey to independently evaluate our processes and outcomes. Maynooth was recently awarded a research grant from the Irish Research Council specifically focusing on Kyrie Therapeutic Farm. This will support the farm in using evidence based and best practice therapies, and holistic and recovery oriented approaches to mental health, as well as connecting leading Therapeutic farms around the world.

Orchard of Irish Heritage trees planted at Kyrie Farm

Volunteers planting Squash and Sweet Potatoes

Interview with Clare McKenna on Newstalk  - Click to listen

Large order for the Mindfulness Center's retreat

Delivering Veg boxes gets under way 

Polytunnels erected with support from Mental Health Ireland 

Nearly 40 amazing volunteers on the farm, planting, weeding, tidying up and building a pond!

See video of the day https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKHzOLFMsR1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

And time lapse of the pond being built

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKHGbG7sT3b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

May 24th 2025