Our Friday was spent primarily visiting the TEAGASC staff in Donegal.  Brad and I presented on Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Agriculture, and our job.  We also learned about TEAGASC and their programs.

We also were able to travel to see the more of Donegal and compare the differences in terrain.  The mountains of Donegal remind me of much of our land in Virginia.  The mountains focus on Mountain HIll Sheep and deal with a lot of non desirable species including heather.

We were able to stop in Arada and visit a weaver based there.  At one time, the area was dominated by weavers making tweed.

We then made our way to Malin Head, which is the most northern part of Ireland.  It also is where they filmed the ending of the latest Star Wars film.  The area is very rural with sheep and cows grazing up to the ocean.

We then went to look at turf (peat) being harvested and wind turbines.  Ireland has a constant wind and many wind turbines have been installed in the countryside.  Many homes harvest their own turf to heat their homes in the winter.

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