Introducing Five Farms, the world’s first farm-to-table Irish Cream Liqueur. Five Farms is exclusively sourced and produced in County Cork, Ireland.
County Cork is Ireland’s largest and southernmost county, home to family-owned farms that dot the coastline where the land meets the sea. It seems to sit on the edge of the world, a rugged backdrop for the farmers who have toiled this land for generations.
The Tradition of Irish Cream
The dairy farming industry in Ireland dates back thousands of years. Temperate climate and fertile soils have long provided ideal conditions for producing milk, butter, cheese, and other dairy products. The importance of dairy farming to the Irish and their livelihood is mentioned even in Early Irish Law or “Brehon Laws,” which valued milk cows as the highest form of currency.
Farmers in Cork began producing butter commercially as early as the 1700s, and it was soon one of Ireland’s chief exports. Eventually, Cork became one of the main shipping points in Ireland.
The term whiskey originates from the Gaelic phrase “uisce beatha,” or “water of life.” Though it has never been confirmed, many believe that Irish monks passed on the technique after they learned to distill perfumes in the Mediterranean around 1000 A.D. The Irish adapted the recipe to make their signature whiskey.
By the late 18th century, approximately 2,000 whiskey stills were operating in Ireland, only a third of which were legal, and by 1885, that number had dwindled to 28. The rise of the Anglo-Irish trade war and the invention of the Patent Still effectively shut down remaining production.
Whiskey distilleries are currently experiencing a resurgence in Ireland, and contemporary Irish distillers are revitalizing the centuries-old tradition through hard work and dedication. As of August 2017, there are now 18 active whiskey distilleries in the country.
Five Farms and the wild Atlantic Way
The family-owned farms of Five Farms all fall along the path of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the longest coastal routes in the world. The Wild Atlantic Way follows 2500km of rugged coastline and dramatic scenery through nine counties along the west coast of Ireland, from the Northern Headlands in Donegal all the way to Kinsale at the southernmost edge of County Cork, with stunning views at every turn.
The Wild Atlantic Way provides a unique travel opportunity in Ireland, for tourists and locals alike. The dramatic landscapes give way to charming towns along the route, where visitors can explore authentic Irish arts and crafts as well as modern artisanal food.
It provides a spectacular backdrop for the dairy farms along its path. Many of the herds roam on pastures with spectacular ocean views and spend their days basking in the fresh sea air.
Local Co-op brings farmers together
The dairy farmers of Five Farms are members of a local dairy Co-op of over 500 farms. The Co-op helps guarantee that all farms within the group get a fair price for their output and provides a supportive community for the farmers.
Dairy farming can be a solitary profession, marked by endless hours tending to the herd and to the land. Today’s farming families are less likely to be surrounded by neighbors who also manage farms, creating a greater risk of isolation for modern farmers. The Co-op has worked to combat this by forming discussion groups that bring farmers together each month to discuss best practices and form bonds with one another, promoting camaraderie among farmers who have such a shared experience but may not have otherwise connected.
