Perhaps the most surprising protein produced in County Carlow is snails.
Near Bagenalstown, the ‘mother of snail farming’, Eva Milka, and her partner successfully farm snails, mainly for export, and run courses for aspiring snail farmers.
Finding the Irish climate ideal, Eva’s ambition is to develop a brand of Irish produced escargot which is internationally recognised as a leading supplier within the industry.
Keen to encourage others into the industry, their seminars include an “Introduction to the Snail Farming in Ireland” and a farm tour, and their product range includes certified breeding stock, certified baby snails and starter packs to help new snail farmers to get going.