Ballylagan Organic Farm – Straid, Northern Ireland - Atlas Obscura

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Ballylagan Organic Farm

Straid, Northern Ireland

The first organic farm shop in Northern Ireland. 

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Ballylagan Organic Farm located in the small County Antrim village of Straid is similar to other local organic farms, offering fresh produce, organic meats, and other products such as tea, coffee, and baked goodies for visitors. Ballylagan contains on-site tea rooms and plenty of walking space along its farm trails for exploration. However, Ballylagan Organic Farm does have one distinction from its counterparts: it is the first organic farm shop established in Northern Ireland.

Ballylagan Organic Farm was the first County Antrim farm to achieve the Organic Certification from the Soil Association in the early 1990s. The farm made history when it became the first organic farm shop in Northern Ireland to open its own organic farm shop. It was such an immense occasion that it was officially opened by Prince Charles of Wales himself on May 5, 1999.

The farm itself offers many activities for leisure and recreation including guest house accommodations, horse riding, and two farm trails that anybody can walk around and explore the farm. The trails offer some insight into the history and present use of sites such as the Bryantang Fish Passage, New Woodland, and the Old Mill.  

Know Before You Go

The best way to get to Ballylagan Organic Farm is to drive to the A8 Dual carriageway towards Larne and then turn off at the Ballyclare/Ballynure Junction to get onto the B58/Carrickfergus Road, then drive to the Ballylagan Road. Drive along this road until you reach your destination just outside Straid Village.


Alternatively, you could make your way to Carrickfergus town and drive along Woodburn Road to Straid Village, then make a right turn onto the Ballylagan Road.


There is a small car park available on site for parking and there is no fee or time limit.

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