All-in dog hotel on Delvin farm

Karen and Darren Kelly have started an alternative farming enterprise, an all-in dog hotel, spa and leisure centre on their 30-acre farm at Clonmorrill, between Delvin and Athboy. They offer dog owners a private five-acre dog park on which to let their pets romp off lead, boarding kennels and grooming services.

“We are trying to fill a hole in the market," Karen told the Westmeath Examiner. “There’s nothing like it for dog owners. We have a private hire dog park in the middle of our farm. We provide a boarding kennel and dogs can get a good grooming before they leave."

“We have embraced country living and are passionate about farming in a passive manner. We have engaged in environmental schemes and are currently in organic conversion with a view to producing all farm outputs ethically. We are aware of the environmental and mental health issues facing the farming community and are striving to become carbon neutral on our farm. We hope that by offering this safe space for dogs and owners that our principles are reflective of that,” Karen said.

“There is nothing like this in the area, a place where you can take your dog off to stay for a week, have the run of five acres and get groomed before they go home,” she remarked.

“It’s really important to tell people what a stimulating and enriching experience we provide for dogs. We want to give people a safe place to run their dogs off lead and we can even cater for restricted breeds. Being a dog owner, I know there are few facilities around,” she added.

Karen is a search dog handler with the Irish Civil Defence and has a love of animals in general.

“From the beginning, we wanted to farm from an ethical point of view and to give our animals the best life possible before they hit someone’s plate. We want to put the farm to the best use possible. We don’t want to wedge it with animals,” she added.

Karen and Darren are both originally from Meath. Karen is from an equestrian background and studied at Gurteen Agricultural College. Darren is a phlebotomist at St James’s Hospital, Dublin.

The couple moved to this area two years ago, “to a smaller cottage across the way”.

“We went to an auction to practice our auctioneering skills and ended up buying this 30-acre farm,” Karen said.

They got their first batch of livestock – eight Aberdeen Angus heifers last May. They have a few hens “for eggs for ourselves” and they kept 25 turkeys for their own use during the year.

“We dabble, but aren’t mad busy and so we can ensure the animals get well cared for,” Karen said.

“We want to keep the farming side professional and the dog side of the business professional, but fun.” Karen stressed that the operation is in no way regimental.

The dog grooming business opened in July and the dog park in October. The boarding kennels were open for Christmas.