Increasing numbers of Kilkenny families are eschewing turkey in favour of goose as their bird of choice on the table this Christmas.
Local fowl producers Tony and Mary Walsh have already sold out of the birds, with their stock of 200 geese long since accounted for. Mr Walsh says that there has been unprecedented demand this year.
“The geese market is a niche, but it has become much more popular for Christmas dinner,” he said.
“Demand this year has been huge. Goose is actually the traditional Christmas bird, it used to be much more common.”
Goose is a richer, darker meat than turkey or chicken. The fat is also often used to prepare roast potatoes.
The Walshs, who themselves will be eating goose this Christmas, began their ‘Kilkenny Freerange’ enterprise six years ago, with just two geese. Situated in the townlands of Shellumsrath, it has gone from strength to strength, and the farm has become well-known by word of mouth.
The couple keep both chickens and geese, with demand for the latter spiking at this time of year. They supply produce to local butchers, markets, and restaurants such as Campagne and Zuni, as well as to places further afield, such as Waterford Castle and Chapter One in Dublin.
At the moment, the duo are working around the clock to meet the orders and have all the birds prepared for the big day.
“Our geese are prepared in the traditional way,” said Mr Walsh.
“We use dry-plucking – there is no water involved in the process – and then the geese are left to mature.”
For more information, visit www.kilkennyfreerange.com
