Eva Milka and her partner Eoin put Carlow on the map as the innovative home of snail farming in Ireland when they decided to breed free-range edible snails on a half-acre snail farm in Garryhill.
They tasted escargots for the first time in France in 2012. When they returned to Ireland, and discovered they could not source escargots locally, they decided to try breeding a sample batch in their one-bedroom apartment in Kilkenny. That hobby grew into a fully-fledged business sparked by the realisation that there was an international shortage of edible snails.
Theirs is the only research and development centre for this type of farming in Ireland. It took them two years of testing to formulate and incorporate the best systems and techniques from around the world to suit the Irish climate.
Their snails are nurtured in an outdoor field, which enables them to grow in a natural, free-range environment. Irish weather conditions with high rainfall and mild temperature are conducive to breeding snails in open pastures, producing a free-range healthier product.
There are two ways to start farming snails in Ireland: by breeding (full cycle: January to October) or by fattening baby snails (half-cycle: April to October).
How to set up and run your own snail farm
You can learn everything you need to know before you start your own snail farm, by signing up for a one-day online course on Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 10am to 3pm. The cost is €250.
Call +35 385 100 0919, or email gaelicescargot@gmail.com for more information.