A new campaign run by I Love Limerick in conjunction with LEO Limerick and Daniel Butler, Mayor of Limerick City and County, asks Limerick consumers to look for local when shopping for products, services and experiences.
Guiry’s Free Range Eggs is a small, family farm business run by husband and wife Michael and Christine Guiry.
Located in Knockaderry, West Limerick, this unique operation supplies local free-range eggs to supermarkets and restaurants across the county.
The business was established in 2010 when Michael and Christine decided to step away from producing ‘hatching eggs’ and move into the free-range food sector.
Guiry’s hens reside in a large unit situated on the rolling hills of West Limerick. They spend their days out on the field, mingling with each other and looking for scratchings.
“A better quality of life for the hen results in a better quality egg and yoke for us. We believe that the better quality the egg, the better the taste,” says farm owner Christine Guiry.
Once the eggs have been laid, they are brought to the farm’s sorting room where a machine separates them by weight, from small to extra large.
They are then boxed, labelled and delivered to supermarkets and restaurants by farm owner Michael.
Additionally, the Guiry’s operate ‘Eggspress Vending Machines’ at the farm’s gate in Knockaderry, where local customers can pick up some produce.
Since taking part in the SuperValu Food Academy programme in 2015, Guiry’s Free Range Eggs has grown from strength to strength, supplying a host of supermarkets across West Limerick and Limerick City.
“It is so satisfying to watch the process, from feeding the hens in the field to seeing boxes of Guiry’s eggs on supermarket shelves. When we go to a store to restock our products, I love to take a picture of the whole lot,” smiles Christine.
One of only three free-range egg farms in Limerick, the Knockaderry couple understand that supporting local is crucial to the survival of small businesses and industries like their own.
“When you buy Guiry’s eggs, you are directly supporting our family and our employees. We want to see more supermarkets being mindful of local businesses, not just stocking own-brand products brought in from further afield,” says Christine.
Speaking from Guiry’s Free Range Eggs, Mayor of Limerick City and County, Daniel Butler, says, “It is so important that we support local businesses. Next time you’re in the shop, look for Guiry’s free-range eggs. You will be making a difference out here in Knockaderry, supporting livelihoods and keeping a community vibrant and alive.”
Watch full interview here!
