- Address: 35 Silverbridge Road, Silverbridge, Newry, UK
- Contact: Margaret Finnegan, Pat Finnegan or Katherine Finnegan-Agnew
- Email: tobarcommunity@gmail.com
- Phone: 028 3086 1130
- Website: https://www.finnegansnursery.com/
- Social Media:
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Type of Farm
Our farm consists of 40 acres of land, in the scenic setting of South Armagh’s Ring of Gullion’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We have a small herd of suckler cows. We also have a horticultural nursery, Finnegan’s Nursery which been trading since 1989.
Background
An Tobar CIC was formed by sisters, Margaret and Kathleen Finnegan in April 2018 with the aim to provide Social Farming opportunities as well as ecotherapy and educational programmes.
As a family we share a very strong connection to the land. The farm has been in our mother’s family for at least 300 years, indeed archeologists have found evidence of settlements on our land as far back as 400BC.
Our grandfather Paddy Muckian was a healer, a gift which had been handed down through the generations. There is a well on the farm from which water was often drawn for cures and healing. It is from this well that An Tobar CIC takes its name, as it simply means ‘The Well’ or ‘Well-spring’.
We are committed to safeguarding the future of our 40 acre family farm and its rich heritage and also to making a positive contribution to our own rural community and further afield.
In 1988, Pat Finnegan and his family, inspired by daughter Margaret, a young horticulture student, set about converting part of the family farm into a horticultural nursery as they recognised the opportunity to diversify from traditional farming.
Farm Activities Offered To Participants
Working with the calves, feeding, bedding etc.
Cleaning out sheds.
Feeding hens and collecting eggs.
Planting out new hedges and trees, maintenance of farm hedges and native woodland.
Cutting wood for firewood from our sustainable willow plantation.
Maintenance of the garden areas, weeding, mowing grass etc.
Planting and caring for vegetables and flowers in the polytunnels, watering, weeding, potting.
About Us
Margaret Finnegan Bsc, has been an owner/manager at Finnegan’s Nursery & Garden for 30 years. She has a Bsc honours degree in Horticulture from Bath University (1992). She has also completed a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture course. She has extensive experience in horticulture production, sales and management as well as many years of business experience. She also works daily on the family farm.
Margaret has completed Ring of Gullion Ambassador training and has Level 1 Counselling Skills. She will run our Social Farming programme as well as provide horticulture therapy and educational programmes for schools.
Pat Finnegan has been owner/partner in Finnegan’s Nursery & Garden Centre for 30 years. He has a life-long interest in horticulture, having worked in plant production in the Nursery since it began in 1988.
He also has been farming for 50+ years. Currently, on our 40 acre holding he operates a small herd of suckler cows. He has many years experience as a bricklayer in the building trade and has welding and metalwork training as well. He will work directly with our Social Farming participants.
Katherine Finnegan-Agnew LLB has been an owner/partner at Finnegan’s Nursery & Garden Centre since 1996. Kathleen has an extensive knowledge of horticulture and works daily on the farm. She has been responsible for Marketing, Accounts and administration as well as customer service and sales in Finnegan’s Nursery & Garden Centre for many years. She will manage the financial and marketing side of An Tobar CIC and assist with Social Farming sessions and educational programmes.
Social Farming
Delivering Social Farming since January 2019 and currently delivering sessions through referrals from the Southern Health & Social Care Trust. With many years of experience of dealing with the public it feels like a good ‘fit’ for us as a family. We have really enjoyed welcoming and working with Social Farming participants.
Our Mission:
An Tobar Community Wellness Centre and Social Farm’s mission is to create an inclusive, safe, sanctuary for healing our community. We will offer social and educational programmes, therapeutic horticulture and social farming to individuals and groups. An Tobar will be a place of belonging where we can nurture our health and wellbeing and heal and grow together as a community.
Our Vision:
Ag fás le chéile i dtearmann leighis / Growing together in a place of healing.
