Behind the Brand – The Apple Farm
You may be familiar with The Apple Farm near Cahir in county Tipperary, owned by Con Traas and established by his parents in 1968. The Traas family had been growing fruit in Holland since the 1800s, but because it was difficult to find new land there for fruit growing, Willem and Ali decided to make a move to Ireland. Today, the Apple Farm produces apples, pears, plums, sweet cherries, strawberries, and raspberries, and it has a camping and caravan park on the farm.
The farm employs around 20 people from the local area and much further afield. Over the years, many people from different places and diverse backgrounds have been drawn to this place to work with nature in this beautiful fertile spot in South
Tipperary has been producing apples for hundreds of years. It’s a far cry from city living and a lucrative career in technology or finance. Yet some left all that behind to spend time in the apple orchards or fruit fields, observing the natural
surroundings change with the seasons. Some came for a season and ended up staying for life!
Noreen
Noreen has been on the Apple Farm team for the last 20 years. She manages the Farm Shop and is on first-name terms with many regular customers. They appreciate her genuine interest in them and her warm, friendly, relaxed style. Noreen knows her apples! There are about 60 varieties of apples grown on the farm and about 15 available in the farm shop at any one time, depending on when they ripen. Noreen knows which ones are at their seasonal best and the unique characteristics of each variety. Noreen can advise if you prefer your apples tart or sweet, soft or crunchy, juicy or mild.
Joseph
Originally from Czechia, Joseph came to work on the farm for a season around 20 years ago and never left! While working there, he met a local woman, Teresa, who stole his heart! The pair are now married, and Joseph has made his life in Tipperary. Joseph learned the skill of pruning from owner Con, who learned it from his father. While there is a particular skill to pruning, each person brings their unique style. Joseph and Con know there is great satisfaction in seeing fruit trees produce a bountiful crop the following year in response to careful pruning, a tree’s way of saying thank you! Joseph is highly skilled at what he does and a thoughtful and considerate teacher to those who want to learn, ensuring a time-honoured skill is passed from generation to generation.
Ali
Ali Traas, Con’s mother, remembers coming to Tipperary from Holland with her husband Willem in 1968 to establish the Apple Farm. While rearing Con and his brother, Ali helped out wherever she could on the farm. She was instrumental in setting up the campsite, which today can host up to 60 people a night. Always happy to roll up her sleeves and pitch in whenever needed, she helped keep the show on the road at all times. Over the years, The Apple Farm has won numerous awards for its produce, cultivation methods, and tourism offerings. Never the one in the limelight, Ali was always there in the background, looking on with great pride and satisfaction at these moments of recognition.
To experience the wonderful produce The Apple Farm has to offer and the team’s hospitality behind it, you can visit the Farm Shop all year round (opening times vary depending on the season), where you might be lucky enough to meet Noreen! As well as wonderful fresh fruit, you can also choose from a range of delicious fruit juices, including apple, blends of strawberry, raspberry or blackcurrant, sparkling juices and mulled apple juice. There is also cider, cider vinegar, a range of lemonade jams and jellies – all made on the farm.
Visit www.theapplefarm.com for more information. You can also visit the Online Shop and have products delivered directly to your door anywhere in Ireland.
