Kia Ora looking to keep the farm as open as possible
THE SHOW MUST GO ON for the Donohoe family at
Kia Ora Mini Farm, Gorey as there are animals to feed and grounds to be kept up to scratch, but owner Padraig
O’Donohoe said that it has been a strange time without regular visitors during the
Covid-19 crisis.
Although the family has not finalised when they might reopen, they are aiming for the end of June or the start of July and they know that there is a strong possibility that the open farm and its attractions will not be as open as before.
‘We haven’t finalised things but things will be different. We’re not sure whether petting or feeding the animals will be allowed, and they would be a big natural draw for people, especially those who don’t get to interact with animals and our children with additional needs.
‘Children don’t understand and it’s hard to try and make them understand. It’s a bit unfair but that’s life at the moment, and I’d like to do it right without scaring people either’.
It’s not just the animals at Kia Ora though, some childhood favourites like the diggers and the fire engine will have to be considered.
‘Our fire engine goes constantly every ten minutes. We have 28 seats in that so I don’t know what peoples’ expectations would be on that if I did open it. I could manage the sanitising on it as there are different machines out there, you can mist it and move on but I don’t know if that’s what people would want. So that is probably going to have to be left out until I get more insight on everything
‘With the diggers, go-karts and crazy football, I can manage them by setting up sanitise stations that someone can use themselves when they go up to it but staffing all of these type of things, I don’t know if it’d be viable as I’ll have to restrict numbers coming in.
‘Booking systems is something I’ve never done before, it’s always a walk in so that’s going to be a challenge but it’s something I’m just going to have to accept and get on with’.
Since closing up on March 13, Padraig said he has found some more time for family, animals included.
‘In one sense it has been brilliant as I’ve had two bank holidays off with my kids. They have been coming onto the farm with me seven days a week and we do whatever it takes to do what we have to.
‘I wouldn’t give it up for anything but there’s a lot of things I need to do here but I can’t because the money is just not there to do it. I have to keep feeding the animals, and if this thing goes on longer, it’ll get harder quicker.
‘Everyday I come down and the animals look at me, they’ve enjoying the sunshine and they’re in good spirits but they are looking for that interaction. The animals are missing the people and some are coming over, putting the head on the fence waiting to be petted for hours on end’.
Padraig said that supporting local is going to be essential as things begin to open back up.
‘Trying to support local attractions is going to be everything because that’s what’s going to keep the place afloat. All our staff are local, some college goers and some are finding it tough because they’ve been living at home with no income.
‘We can’t go too far at the minute, but Wexford itself has the beaches, walks, trails and attractions, everything is there. All we need to do is just sit down and have a look’.