Traditional Family Farm
John Kissane is a fifth generation member of the Kissane family, who have farmed this land for more than a century. Along with his wife Anne, he runs this traditional farm, beautifully situated between Kenmare and Killarney National Park. They are the proud owners of a flock of approximately 1.000 mountain sheep that John and his family carefully bred for nearly 100 years. Together with seven hard- working sheep dogs, John Kissane and his family were able to run a profitable farm for many years.

Now, European regulations discourage him and other traditional farmers from keeping mountain sheep on the hills. Furthermore, the costs of food and medical care are rising, while the sale price of sheep and wool is going down.

If Kissane Sheep Farm doesn’t get any financial help, these sheep will have to be taken away from the mountains. This very distinctive breed of sheep will disappear forever, since it is impossible for other sheep to survive in these mountains. By asking people to adopt a mountain sheep, John and Anne Kissane want to save the Irish heritage of a traditional sheep farm with mountain sheep living freely in the hills. Mountain sheep are the only animals with the ability to control the grasses on the mountainside. They help to maintain a stable environment for humans and other creatures in the area.