Our Story
The Traas family had been growing fruit in Holland since the 1800's.
Because it was difficult to find new land for fruit-growing in Holland, Willem and Ali decided to make a move to Ireland. They looked at a number of farms, and chose this one between Cahir and Clonmel on the main Limerick-Waterford road. There was an old orchard on the farm, and they judged by the good crop on these trees that apples could be grown in this area. For the first few years, as well as establishing new apple and plum orchards, the family grew tulips, dried peas, grain crops and strawberries.
Because there was no structure to enable them to sell their fruit locally, they opened a shop at the farm. It is the same barn that we use to this day to sell most of what we produce.
We began making juices on the farm: apple juice, mixtures with strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant, and later our sparkling juices, all made using fruits grown right here.
The Apple Farm was named Local Food Hero at the Irish Restaurant Awards, and Overall Producer of the Year by Good Food Ireland.
We won three awards at Blas na hÉireann: a silver medal for our Apple Crisps with Belgian Chocolate, and bronze medals for Con's Cider and The 80 Apple Brandy.
60 varieties of apples are grown on the farm, and about 15 types are available in the farm shop depending on when they ripen. Four varieties of strawberries, three of raspberry, four of cherry, three types of plums and two pears complete the range.
