One can understand
why the weekends at Irene Dairy Farm are full of families with young children
who love a visit to the dairy farm.
There is something special about walking around wide open spaces with
green lawns, huge trees, dairy herds, calves, chickens, bantam hens and
watching the black swans glide across water.
The one pair now has a family of three cygnets (baby swans) so there is always
something to marvel at when you visit the Irene Dairy Farm.
It brings out the
child in every adult who enjoys a visit to a farm and there is a pull to come
back to this earthy venue every few months.
I know it is a favourite venue of mine and my nephew who is almost two
and a half years old!
A
Welcome from the Irene Dairy Farm
The
Irene Dairy Farm is a picturesque gem that nestles halfway between the sprawling
cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg
The Dairy Shop sells certified raw milk (one of the last
places to do so) that is produced right there on the Irene Farm. The
gallon buckets of fresh farm milk are a sight unique to Irene. The Shop also
has a wide range of cheeses, cakes, rusks and other fresh fare,
including a favourite of the locals who frequent the shop is the Irene
Dairy’s unique and luxurious thick cream which can’t be found anywhere else and
is a must for scones with afternoon tea.
The Deck
or Barn Restaurants both serve a wide variety of
freshly-made breakfast and lunch options. The Barn Restaurant also serves
sumptuous breakfast and lunch buffets every weekend.
The
History of the Irene Dairy Farm
In
1895 the Nellmapius’ farm was sold to Johannes Albertus van der Byl (better
known as Bertie). Bertie proclaimed Irene a township in 1902 after the end of
the Anglo-Boer war. Under Bertie, who was the first of five van der Byl
generations to run the Irene Farm, the dairy herd was built up, hundreds of
trees were planted and the Irene Estate began to acquire the beauty we see
today. Bertie also laid out the Irene golf course around this time. The course
remains one of the few in Gauteng
The
Irene Country Lodge
Almost
across the road from the Irene Dairy, you’ll find the Irene Country Lodge. Stop
by for sundowners at the “Lounge on the Lake ”!
The American World Cup Soccer team stayed at the Lodge in 2010.
Contact
the Irene Dairy Farm
Visit the Irene Country Lodge website www.irenecountrylodge.co.za
IMPORTANT –
PLEASE NOTE
IRENE FARM
DOES NOT ACCEPT CASH FOR PAYMENT.
IT DOES
HOWEVER ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS
