Robert Fitzsimmons, East Ferry Farm, East Ferry. \ Donal O Leary
Up high in the fields of East Ferry Farm, Co Cork, the surrounding view of water on three sides is spectacular on this crisp winter’s day. Strolling through a paddock of turkeys, Robert Fitzsimmons Sr helps me get my bearings. Carrigtwohill direction that way, Whitegate over there.
Robert Fitzsimmons Jr begins to recount the family connection to the land. How poultry farming has been part and parcel of his life from a young age and that it’s totally ingrained in their family.
At this juncture, surrounded by 950 turkeys, this writer feels it may not be the best time to let the figurative cat out of the bag. You see, I actually have a slight phobia (if that’s possible) of birds. It’s mainly rooted in the flying variety, but these turkeys aren’t making me feel too hectic either.