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The O’Donnell farm at Seskin has been in their tenancy since the early 1700’s. Over seven generations later the O’Donnell family have mastered the art of cultivating the perfect potato. They have now transformed that into the finest of hand cooked crisps.
The farm is situated in the valley between Sliabh na mBan and the river Suir with the Comeragh mountains beyond to the south. It is within The Golden Vale – an area renowned for Rich Soil, Pasturage and Beauty. The River Suir was (is) navigable from Clonmel to Waterford and this lent to good Business in the hinterland. Seskin was run as mixed farm down through the years being able to produce an amount of arable crops, root crops, fodder and pasture for livestock, bloodstock and sheep. In 1826 “Widow” O’Donnell farmed 66acres Potatoes, 63acres Wheat, 14acres Oats,165acres Pasture, 4acres Orchard and 1.2acres Garden.This was a phenomenal amount of potatoes and arables by any standard at this time.

This continuity has descended to present day farming. With the loss of the sugar beet industry in Ireland potatoes are again grown commercially on the farm. A further step forward has been taken by Ed O’Donnell to launch O’Donnell’s Crisps with the potatoes produced at Seskin in 2010.

Launched less than 12 months ago, O’Donnells Hand Cooked Crisps have created a name for their farm to fork produce. People want to buy local produce now, however O’Donnells don’t just want to be local or national. Ed O’Donnell has his eyes set on the other markets, making the brand and product an international flavour.

His lastest venture prior to expanding the product into other markets, is to launch a new flavour to compliment the already successful and more traditional flavours of Mature Irish Cheese and Red Onion & Irish Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt. This April you will begin to see ‘Sweet Chilli’ flavoured crisps on your local shelves, a flavour that will have a broader appeal to both the Irish and international markets.

In addition to the new flavour, it was decided to launch a larger packet, 125g. So that friends and family can share a packet while enjoying the three falvours of Tipperary Hand Cooked Crisps. In between farming and kite surfing, Ed has managed in the most uncertain climate not just to launch a company into a multi million market, but expand. This is without question, a great story, one of success in a time of uncertainty.