- Tipperary County Council has granted planning permission for “Eye on Nature” at Cloncannon Biofarm
- The facility includes a microscopy room, kitchenette, wheelchair ramp, and car park
- The project is part-funded by the European Union Just Transition Fund
- The attraction will operate seasonally from March to October
- The project incorporates regenerative tourism principles and local school collaboration
Tipperary County Council has granted planning permission for a new agri-tourism and educational attraction at Cloncannon Biofarm in Moneygall, North Tipperary, following an application lodged by farm owner Sean O’Farrell on 21-22 August 2026. The approved development, called the “Eye on Nature” Microscopy Room, is designed as a single-storey educational classroom and laboratory space for visitors to explore the microscopic biodiversity of the local Irish landscape. The project will be part-funded by the European Union Just Transition Fund, which supports communities and regions affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The facility includes a kitchenette, wheelchair access ramp, and dedicated visitor car park, with plans to operate seasonally from March to October each year. The attraction will offer visitors the opportunity to view soil organisms, plant cells, and aquatic microorganisms through specialist microscopy equipment, connecting visitors with the natural environment and demonstrating the importance of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The project runs on a model of regenerative tourism, designed to restore and benefit the area rather than simply bringing foot traffic to the location.
The developer plans to collaborate closely with local schools for educational science outreach programmes and to source supplies exclusively from local businesses to ensure tourism spending remains within the community. The project contributes to Tipperary’s visitor economy and positions North Tipperary as a destination for eco-tourism and educational farm visits. The European Union Just Transition Fund part-funding reflects the project’s alignment with sustainable development objectives and its potential to create green jobs in the region.
Sean O’Farrell, the farm owner and applicant, shared: “The ‘Eye on Nature’ project will allow visitors to explore the microscopic biodiversity of our landscape, creating a unique educational experience that connects people with the natural environment and supports sustainable tourism in North Tipperary.”
