Mark and Philip Little grew up in Ballintubbert House, Ballintubbert Co. Laois, purchased in 1968 by their parents from George Bernard Shaw and where Cecil Day-Lewis the poet laureate was born. These gardens had a great collection of fabulous old apple trees. Phil's dad planted half an acre of Golden Delicious as well as the other soft fruits which as a child, with mark and the other brothers and sisters, they helped out with the duties of apple growing, bee keeping, fruit growing and picking and even turkey production and livestock husbandry.

It was in hindsight, a parent's way of keeping young hands busy and feeding a large family of active and hungry teenagers. This work ethic honed first in Ballintubbert and subsequently in Warrenstown Horticultural College in County Meath brought Phil on the journey of apple growing in Ireland and for Mark a deep interest in various rare breed cattle, sheep, chickens and turkeys.

Phil has now been growing apples on the banks of the river Suir for the past 26 years. Pollination being critical for apple growing and with his experience as a hobbyist beekeeper, Phil has developed a honeybee business; primarily for pollination and to complete a beautiful cycle of life.

His partnership with Anna and her interest in flowers and fruits, and her enthusiasm for Artisan Producers brought the business to the SuperValu Food Academy. The Academy has given them an in-depth insight into the importance of developing their own brand name to get their apples and home grown flowers visible out there.

By developing their own brand name and working with Mark at the Tullamore market and the Middleton market they will hopefully grow their business together, introduce new products such as wood nuggets for domestic heating; and thereby create new jobs in rural Ireland in the circular economy.

Facebook Twitter