Beara Farm Animal Sanctuary

Beara Farm Animal Sanctuary is a registered charity in Adrigole, County Cork run by a couple, Jacquie and Alan. The sanctuary is a place for unwanted/neglected animals to live out the rest of their years in a place of comfort, happiness and love. Jacquie and Alan are a British couple who moved to County Cork in Southern Ireland in 2017.

In May 2024, I spent 3 weeks volunteering through Workaway on the farm and what a joy it was. The farm is home to 12 pigs, 3 donkeys, 36 goats, 3 sheep, 1 pony, 3 dogs, geese, ducks and many many cats, hens and cockerels! The farm is a magical and safe place for these animals, as some have unfortunately had a tough time before finding the sanctuary. Jacquie and Alan’s caring nature was felt right away and after a few days I really felt like part of the family. All the animals live free range and amongst each other - pigs, goats, hens, sheep all asleep together (only being separated at feeding time) and the birds going to bed in their barn at night. Often, I would walk into the goat shelter and find pigs and goats snuggled up alongside each other, snoozing away. It really is a sight to make you smile.

Life on the farm was a mix of hard-work and fun - no two days were the same. Feeding time was always a hoot; measuring and mixing the food, herding the animals into their segregated areas (a necessary task lest the pigs steal everyone’s food!), dealing with escapee goats (Oscar and his girlfriend/fellow acrobat Grace) and trying to avoid being hissed at by the geese! Mornings are spent per personal choice, I liked to get up early, open the door for the ducks and hens, check for eggs (there was always lots to collect!), open the gates for the goats who slept inside the shelter and feed one of the pigs, Saffy. I will do an in-depth blog post featuring a few of my favourites from the sanctuary which I’ll link at a later date.

Once the jobs were completed, I’d head out down the driveway and through the gate for a walk. I sometimes took the dogs with me, Teddy, Dylan and Scooby. With the sun shining, we’d head down the country road and straight toward the sea, round through lanes with hills on one side and the coast on the other. All in all, the walk probably took about 20-25 minutes to reach the harbour. Throughout the weeks I was staying at the farm, I saw one another person on this walk only a handful of times! It really is a rural, peaceful location, especially of a morning.

A snippet from my morning walk along the coast - Adrigole, C.Cork

Following my morning walk, I’d arrive back at the sanctuary to begin the day. Daily tasks included, sweeping the yard, mucking out pens, helping with general maintenance/upkeep of fences, gates, sheds, shelters, ensuring water/paddle baths etc. were topped up, grooming and general care for the animals. We’d also drive to nearby towns every few days to collect food, bedding and hay for the animals. During my stay, there was another volunteer from Germany who was very good at physical jobs, compared to him I was chief yard sweeper, repeat “do you need a hand with anything?” asker, president of pig belly scratching, chief at chopping up and distributing of fruit and veg snacks to animal residents, and head cat feeder! There are over 20 cats who live at the sanctuary, most inside with a few outside cats and they all love their food!

Willow - nicknamed “Pillow” for her love of food!

The sanctuary is a registered charity and relies solely on donations. These donations go directly to feeding, medication, bedding/miscellaneous items, fencing/upkeep of the farm and generally caring for the animals. Life on the farm is vibrant and colourful, however it is not without its’ worries and pitfalls. Whether it be a fence that needs repairing, an animal who needs special attention or a shelter needing an extension/upgrade. The door is always open for rescue animals, and therefore the cost in feed/bedding also goes up. The sanctuary unfortunately cannot survive on donations alone, Jacquie and Alan are also fueling the sanctuary through their own pensions.

Their current monthly outgoings are approx €2000 for everything. They currently receive approx €150 in regular donations. The wellbeing and lives of these animals rely solely on the sanctuary remaining open, on Jacquie and Alan’s kindness and care. Please if you can, consider donating even a few £/€s to the sanctuary, it would make such a difference.

If you’re interested in following the sanctuary’s adventures you can find their instagram @bearafarmanimalsanctuary . Please also see their fundraising page, any small donation would be extremely appreciated!

If you have any questions about the sanctuary or my time spent there, please reach out using the “Contact” section above, or contact me via Instragram/Tiktok @eveatravels