Hairy Henry

21/10/2026

When the weather is good to us, it is such a wonderful thing to be working outdoors with the horses and riders, and I count myself lucky to have left my Social Work office job behind me over a decade ago!!!
But with the first storm of the season looming, I wish me, my animals, and all my outdoor colleagues doing similar work, well - stay safe and sound, and see you on the other side 🌬🌀🌊

21/10/2026

This coming Bank Holiday Monday here on our farm!
Come and join us for a relaxed morning, meeting everyone on the farm, roaming the fields at your leisure, and exploring the yard. Sandra will be around to answer any questions about our services, and all animals will be around for cuddles and hugs. The kettle is on all morning, and we will have some nice treats prepared for you all!
Bookings via www.itsplainsailing.com/org/hairyhenry

20/10/2026

Three years into taking lessons with Skye.....
This would have been an unthinkable exercise at the starts, and considering the many hold-ups at the beginning and along the way, we can be proud we are still at it and improving, sometimes very slowly, sometimes with a few steps back before we move on, but I learned so so much, above all patience!
And Skye is just going along as best as she can, always willing, never cross, sometimes a bit unsure or lazy but never mean or intentionally cheeky.
How to bring across to all my riders that it just takes years of hard determined work to train yourself and your horse, and a winning rosette is never earned easily? The most important to enjoy the journey, enjoy your relationship with your horse, enjoy every little bit going well, and enjoy the team spirit even when things don't go well.
Big shout out to ever patient Grace Santry of Tullineaskey Equestrian for sharing her knowledge and coaching us so effectively and enjoyably.
If you want an educational rider&horse centred lesson, this is the place to go 👍

19/10/2026

Daily piggeldy training was added to our routine since these two arrived. Putting the harness on is still met with squealing protest, but once that is done and forgotten about, both are happy to plod along behind the lead, especially when apples and grass are involved 😋

18/10/2026

We were delighted to be asked back again to visit residents at Beaumount in Cork, thanks for having us.

18/10/2026

Autumn is such a stunning season on the farm, so many beautifully colours to look at!

We invite you to join us next Bank Holiday Monday 26th October between 11 and 2 for our Open Farm Day 🍂

We will be offering a farm tour, you can meet all our animals, learn about what we do on the farm, hear about our recently restored old farm structures, see how we use horsepower on the farm, and have a cuppa.

Children welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Bookings here please:
www.itsplainsailing.com/org/hairyhenry

18/10/2026

The perfect morning for our October Farm Fun Morning.
What a delightful group we had this morning. So much fun to do some farm jobs together, explore the autumnal farm, meet the animals, care for the horses, ride and play games.
Next Farm Fun Morning on Saturday 14th November 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Prior booking via www.itsplainsailing.com/org/hairyhenry

17/10/2026

Just realised Turnip and little piggy have matchy matchy hair colours 😍

Still looking for names for our two new little piglets. ... .opening a brainstorm here, but please refrain from meat related suggestions 🙄 these pigs are pets and will be joining our working team here on the farm!

16/10/2026

Turnip is holding up bravely in a job made for two 🐕🐕 it's still so hard to visit places like Kinsale Community Hospital that are brimming over with dear memories of our wonderful Trudi. Turnip is doing better than me, I feel, enjoying the company of his good friend A., and all the other residents.

15/10/2026

Amanda Clarke who's been doing a lot of research into wells around West Cork, holy and otherwise - she even wrote a book about them! - came to visit us this week. It was a pleasure to show her our newly restored well and have a cuppa together. Have a look at her blog, you might even find a well near you that you didn't know about...

What makes a well holy is a question I’ve often been asked and one I pondered on today as I investigated three very different but both interesting wells. Letterlickey Well First stop Letterlickey (…