Staying at a little getaway place in the midst of a farm and you are surrounded by Hurricane, Flintstone, Bodacious, Eurythmics – felt like we are in a Disney fantasy world.
Opening your doors at a weekend getaway to the humming sound, as the Alpacas welcome you to a beautiful morning ,is a special experience.
In the quiet expanse of the Irish Midlands, where the green fields of Offaly and Laois meet under the watchful gaze of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, a story of craft, connection, and gentle giants is being woven.
This is the story of Paul MacDonnell and Hushabye Farm, a place where traditional farming roots have blossomed into a modern sanctuary for the alpaca—an animal whose history is as rich as the fleece it carries. I got an opportunity to capture Paul’s journey during a great chat sitting in the midst of the alpaca farm with a great view of the Slieve Bloom mountains. Paul gave a tour of all the farms, helped us walk Hurricane, and spoke in depth about his unique Alpaca journey.
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify , Apple.
From Tradition to the Unusual
Paul’s journey did not begin with the soft hum of alpacas, but with the rugged grit of a traditional beef farm in County Galway. Growing up in Balagar, surrounded by farm machinery and the “old style” of agriculture, Paul developed a deep respect for the land and a fascination for the natural world. Yet, he harboured a quiet “grow” for something more unusual.
When work brought him to Killeigh, a small paddock behind his new home presented a choice. Instead of the cattle or sheep, Paul chose three alpacas in 2010. What began as a “pet project” to graze a small patch of land soon became a passion that, in his words, “It’s well known that once you dip your toe into the alpaca world, it does tend to take over.” By 2012, this curiosity had matured into a high-end breeding program, sourced from quality stock in the UK.
The Art of the Fleece
At the heart of Hushabye Farm is a profound appreciation for the “Fibre of the Gods”. Domestication of the alpaca by the Incas thousands of years ago established a legacy where an animal’s value was determined by the quality of its wool. Paul continues this legacy today, breeding entirely for a fleece that is a marvel of nature. He added, “the Alpacas come in 16 different natural colours, which means that you can use the wool in a variety of ways without having to dye it“
Paul highlighted “the fleece itself is hyper allergenic, so it’s great for bedding, etc. for children with allergies and all that, the fibre is 10 times warmer than sheep’s wool.”
For Paul, the farm is like the “spokes of a wheel”. At the centre is the animal itself, but the spokes radiate into workshops for spinning and felting, high-fashion products like pashminas, and even specialised husbandry courses to mentor the next generation of breeders.
A Philosophy of Presence
In an era dominated by digital noise, Hushabye Farm offers a rare “unique selling point”: silence. The farm’s accommodations, including Lullaby Lodge and Jack Wright’s Cottage, do not have Wi-Fi and television.
Paul believes that “no amount of AI or Netflix can compensate for the joy” of fresh air and the quirky personalities of his herd. Guests are encouraged to put away their phones and engage with the “cheeky,” “bossy,” or “shy” individuals that make up his 60-strong herd. This intentional disconnect is not just for the guests; it is a reflection of Paul’s own “bootstrapped” philosophy. By self-financing every expansion—spending his own money rather than borrowing—he has ensured that the farm remains a source of joy rather than financial pressure.
Weaving a Legacy
The growth of the farm mirrors the quiet rise of the alpaca industry in Ireland, which now boasts approximately 3,500 animals and an Alpaca Association of 120 members. As a leading face of the industry, Paul participates in national shows and veterinary workshops, knitting together a community that might otherwise feel lonesome in the vastness of rural farming.
But perhaps the most meaningful part of this sixteen-year odyssey is the human element. Paul’s family, his wife Elizabeth and four children—Charlotte, Emily, Maddie, and Noah—have grown up alongside the alpacas. From naming the farm and the newborns (a baby alpaca is called cria) after characters in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” to helping guests with alpaca walks, the farm has “imprinted in them some love of animals in general and love of the country life”. They have staff meetings to decide the names of the crias.
The names of the Alpacas are very interesting , listing a few here : Hurricane, Friday, Frappachino , Ferrero, Inca Goldsmith, Flinstone, Floats Like A Butterfly, Mintoe, First Impression, Cassanova, Excalibur, etc.
As Paul reflects on the journey from those first three alpacas to the established lifestyle hub of today, his sentiment is clear: it was never just a business. It is a passion, a lifestyle, and a rewarding journey that he “wouldn’t have traded for anything.”
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