At Fuchsia Lane Farm near Terryglass in County Tipperary, Niall and Inez Heenan share how blending traditional farming with native woodland has transformed both their land and their lives. Farming 120 acres that have been in Niall’s family for five generations, the Heenans continue a rich agricultural heritage that once saw barley shipped along the River Shannon to Guinness. Today, their mixed farm includes tillage, sheep, silage ground, and a thriving tourism and workshop space that welcomes visitors seeking connection with nature. Thirty years ago, they planted eight to nine acres of broadleaf trees, oak, ash, cherry, beech, and rowan, originally imagining it as a legacy for future generations. What they didn’t expect was how deeply those trees would shape their own daily lives. The woodland has become central to their tourism offering, with walking trails, meditation areas, and “sit spotting” spaces that invite people to slow down, observe, and reconnect. For Inez, the forest is a place of insight, reflection, and learning about cycles, legacy, and the wisdom found in stillness. Now expanding under the department's native forest scheme, they are also creating “hare’s corners”, small, often awkward parts of fields planted with native trees like oak and alder. These pockets of biodiversity require minimal change to farm operations but give back significantly to the land, enhancing habitat without affecting yields. Their message to fellow farmers is clear: you don’t need to plant vast forests to make a difference. Even small portions of land can add environmental, personal, and economic value. By redefining what “production” and “value” mean, whether through tourism, education, biodiversity, or long-term sustainability, farmers can create space for nature while maintaining a viable working farm. It’s not about a drastic change. It’s about thoughtful percentages, practical steps, and recognising that even modest planting can bring lasting rewards.
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