THE LONG READ: Offaly woman continues seven generations of nature friendly farming

From sailing in the Caribbean to motor rallying across Mongolia and Siberia, Margaret Edgill has lived a life most of us can only only dream about.

In a varied career, Margaret mingled with celebrities and the international jet set in her event management business and through her prowess in the worlds of sailing and equestrian sports.

But since 2012, when she returned to her rural roots, the Offaly woman has been running the family farm at Mount Briscoe, located near Mountlucas between Daingean and Edenderry.

Mount Briscoe Organic Farm is situated in bucolic countryside with an enclosed garden surrounding the imposing Georgian house which has commanding views of a nearby raised bog.

The entrance to the house and farmyard is via a long driveway that would test the shock absorbers of the sturdiest of four by four vehicles.

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In the decade and more which has elapsed since taking the helm, Margaret has diversified into glamping, biodiversity, conservation and organic beef production.

She has also embraced traditional and sutainable techniques in restoring the Georgian dwelling house and the farmyard's outbuildings.

One of the old outbuildings, known as the hunting lodge, was the original family dwelling house before the Georgian big house was constructed. It is now a holiday let during the peak tourism season and has been enjoyed by families from across the globe eager to get the authentic Irish rural experience.

"An awful lot of effort has gone into this farm," outlines Margaret who readily admits she "wasn't a farmer" when she took stewardship in 2012 and had to learn the skills from scratch.

"But it's a passion. All my family are farming people and I've now become one of them."

On the 100-acre organic farm, she continues seven generations of nature-friendly farming.

The Mount Briscoe farm was developed by her ancestor, John Briscoe who built Srah Castle in nearby Tullamore, which is regarded as the county town's oldest building.

Her parents – Henry and the late Betty - inherited the farm and buildings after they had been unoccupied for a period of almost half a century and she enjoyed a happy and carefree childhood there before embarking on a high-flying career that took her to all corners of the world.

Now back in her native Offaly, Margaret farms 70 acres of grassland and 30 acres of forestry, using rotational grazing to ensure consistent pasture for her pedigree herd of 25 cows, which rises to 55 to 65 including followers in the summer. She runs a beef suckler herd producing Hereford weanlings off a grass fed system and has a passion for native and traditional breeds especially Irish Moiled Cattle and Irish Draught Horses.

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The farm has been certified organic since 1998, reflecting a deep, inherited commitment to farming with care for nature.

The farm’s biodiversity is supported by ancient beech trees, 250–300 years old, mixed broadleaf copses, and spruce plantations planted through early participation in REPS (Rural Environment Protection Scheme).

Margaret’s recent hedge-laying of 480 metres in January 2025, alongside coppicing and replanting, supply ingredients for her foraged preserves and cordials.

Her commitment was recognised in 2023 when she was awarded the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship - a leadership programme for people with a passion for advacing agriculture and rural communities.

Margaret's award-winning study topic was entiled "Agriculture and Tourism: Paving the way for Farm Diversification and Rural Prosperity."

Late last year, Margaret was named one of twelve new Farming for Nature Ambassadors, an awards scheme which celebrates farmers across Ireland who are leading the way in nature-friendly farming

The judges noted that Margaret has "developed a diverse, nature-friendly system with pedigree cattle, heritage orchards, woodlands and vibrant hedgerows while producing grass-fed organic cattle.

"Through careful habitat management, tree planting, and ecological monitoring, she has shown that sustainable farming, wildlife conservation, and rural enterprise can thrive together.

"Ancient trees, diverse hedgerows, and thriving wildlife make her farm a living example of how nature, people, and farming can flourish together."

Under her stewardship Mount Briscoe Organic Farm has also won a number of other international and national awards for hospitality connected to the agri-tourism initiative which Magaret began in 2017. These include self-catering and glamping and the hard-working farmer is currently in the process of seeking planning for five additional glamping pods to cater for growing demand.

Margaret hosts an annual "farm to fork" outdoor dining event catering for up to 80 people every September.

The farm also produces a large range of artisan preserves, chutneys, jellies, jams and fruit vinegars made from from fruits found on the farm, either foraged or grown organically. This produce is sold on Mount Briscoe's online shop and at a one day event held on the farm each year just before Christmas.

She also hosts events at Halloween and during Heritage Week and in the past held a traditonal and rare breed show. Her career in event management, in which she co-ordinated the original national game fair at Birr Castle in the mid noughties along with other major natonal events, has provided her with invaulable experience.

Margaret also participates in volunteer programmes and Erasmus projects and welcomes international students keen to learn about regenerative farming, food prouction and traditional agricultural practices.

Margaret shows that it is possible to farm in harmony with nature and still thrive.

From barn owls and bats to woodpeckers and pollinators, her farm teems with life. And it’s not by accident. Through careful grazing, tree planting and habitat conservation, Margaret has built a system where food production, biodiversity, and rural enterprise thrive together.

Margaret is among a growing number of women farmers in Ireland and says she has experienced nothing but support and acceptance from her male counterparts.

But what does the future hold for her and Mount Briscoe?

The next steps include pigs in agroforestry, charcuterie products, a micro-dairy, and the creation of biodiversity-rich ponds.

Margaret emphasises that diversification isn’t a side project, it’s the future of farming and rural Ireland.

"Any income generated in farming is pushed back into the rural economy," she stresses.

"There might not be much money in the bank account at the end of the year or to go on holidays but I know there's funds there to fix the buildings and continue farming."