Growing shamrock for 40 years on 'ideal' Kerry soil
Shamrock farmer Joe Sugrue has spent about four decades working in the southwest of Co. Kerry, at a site best known for exporting to the US and elsewhere.
The shamrock is planted from seed by local company Irish Plants International (IPI) in Ballinskelligs, and grown in hydrogel pots developed in conjunction with scientists from University College Dublin (UCD).
Unlike other sites in Ireland, this allows the shamrock to grow without soil, and be shipped internationally, with the site supplying shamrock to the president of the US for nearly 30 years.
The site began operating in 1972, developed by Údarás na Gaeltachta, making it one of the oldest operating greenhouses in the country.
Sugrue began his first job at the site in 1972, where he tended shamrock and other plants, before leaving a for a brief period, and returning later on. He now works alongside his son, Cian.
The shamrock is a "six-month crop", harvested in September and "just right" in the two weeks before St. Patrick's Day, according to Sugrue.
He said that the crop, much like clover, does not require much maintenance, but just "some tender love and care".
"The crop is closely related to clover, so it can grow quite easily unless there is very heavy frost, and the heavy frost will kill it.
"People can struggle to carry it on until the next year because of this. We grow inside in a nursery so we can avoid that, but also we're in an area that is not prone to frost," Sugrue said.
"We have a lot of disadvantages of where we are but we get very little frost. The land is perfect for shamrock," he added.
The site is known for its international standing, however exports account for just about 20% of the site's business, with the rest of sales occurring domestically.
The shamrocks are delivered all around Ireland to businesses, and the general public can also order directly from the site, or visit the nursery itself.
Sugrue said that the area is "very remote", so in-person visits can be few and far between, however he "loves" the site, which he described as "ideal" soil for growing.
Sugrue grew up on a small dairy farm, with 12 milking cows, which he described as "a much simpler time". He has worked in horticulture his whole life, with his son Cian following in his footsteps.
"I've only left Ballinskelligs for holidays and the likes, but I have worked here all my life. In my time, people were very slow to change tact and they kept doing what they felt they were good at. For me that is horticulture," he said.
"I have one son that lives in Killarney and he comes back and works here. Cian is a hands-on man and holds the same enjoyment," he added.
He said that the sector, "a bit like all farming" can be "tough", referring to Storm Éowyn which caused much destruction for growers across the country.
"There is no easy industry at the end of the day, and once you enjoy it then that's the main thing," Sugrue said.
