STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - ALL IRELAND FARMERS MARKET COMPETITION
Tuesday 22 June 2010
When Enniscorthy Market was up and running about a year, Fiona enveigled her father Jim Whelan, a beef and sheep producer, to do the beef stall at he Market. “The nice thing about markets is that you meet so many nice people.” says Jim . “Wilton Mills Farm is at the foot of Bree Hill, the river Boro runs through its land, that’s where we rear our Wilton Mills free range beef.” the banner proudly proclaims across his stall. Quality is what it is all about with Jim. “The cattle are reared on my farm, I look after them, I know how they have been treated, and I can guarantee no antibiotics, will be found in my meat.” I can also say “that mince is off that heifer, and that heifer alone, and not mixed with anything else so I can guarantee the quality is there.”
The beef is hung for three weeks, dry aged on the bone, and certainly looks lovely. Roast rib on the bone is €12kilo, round roast €9 kilo, fillet steak €32k. “It’s the best beef in the South East”, quips Jim before telling me that he holds the title of the Best Stall in Ireland for 2009 in the All Ireland Farmer’s Market Competition. Next week the 43rd Enniscorthy Strawberry Festival kicks off on Wednesday with a Gala Ball in the Riverside Hotel but on Saturday and Sunday the 2010 All Ireland Farmers Market Competition takes place in Market Square and Jim says “I am looking to stall holders from all over Ireland coming to take me on.” He’ll be a hard man to beat. Jim Whelan can be contact on Tel (086) 820-1610.