Watch Here

In Episode 3 of the Creating Value Series, we travel to the south-east coast of Ireland — to Ring, near Dungarvan — where generations of farming meet the Atlantic shoreline.

Here we meet Colin, a farmer who has mastered two very different worlds: dairy farming and oyster farming. His operation spans over 300 cattle, 60+ hectares of grassland, and more than 3 million oysters growing on trestles that stretch nearly a kilometre into the bay.

A Heritage of Dairy Farming

Colin’s family has been milking cows in Ring for well over a century, with records of milk being delivered to Dungarvan Hospital as far back as the 1800s. Today, he manages a grass-based system focused on milk solids, resilience, and sustainability.

From weekly grass walks to mating management, genetic selection, and adapting to drought conditions, Colin demonstrates the balance required to maintain productivity while navigating evolving environmental regulations.

40 Years of Oyster Farming

But what makes this story truly unique is what happens at low tide.

Forty years ago, Colin’s father returned from the United States inspired by oyster farming. He started one of Ireland’s first commercial oyster operations — a tradition Colin continues today.

Across the tidal shoreline, thousands of trestles hold bags of oysters that are manually turned and shaken to ensure proper shape and growth. Traditionally, this has been back-breaking work. But innovation has changed everything.

Engineering a Smarter Solution

Working with a local engineer, Colin helped design a hydraulic machine that turns five oyster bags at a time — achieving in one tide what would take multiple workers days to complete.

It’s a powerful example of Irish ingenuity applied directly to real-world problems.

Shared Challenges: Land & Sea

Despite being completely different enterprises, both dairy and oyster production face similar pressures:

• Environmental regulations

• Water quality concerns

• Labour shortages

• Cost of production

• Climate unpredictability

Colin’s story highlights how intertwined these systems really are — and how farmers adapt through knowledge, innovation, and community.

A Friendship Spanning Three Decades

This episode also brings a personal touch: Noel and Colin met at agricultural college over 30 years ago. Their shared experiences — from winter milk to motorbikes — show the human side of farming that often goes untold.

Watch the Full Episode

The full walk-and-talk across the farm and out into the oyster beds is now live on YouTube, offering a rare look at a dual enterprise built on tradition, resilience, and continuous improvement.