Deep family roots

The Harnett family is now the ninth generation to occupy the Waring Estate. Indeed the family’s association with oilseeds dates back almost 400 years to the 17th Century, when their forebears established the world-famous linen industry in this region of Ireland. The current drive to harness the culinary power of oilseeds started in 2005, when Jane Harnett developed Harnett’s Oils from rapeseed and hemp seed, all grown, cold pressed and bottled on family farmlands in Waringstown and in the Kingdom of Mourne. Jane and her mum started selling the oils at St George’s Market in Belfast and other festival markets in Ireland. The rest is history.

Utterly unctuous oils

Of course, to paraphrase Orwell, not all seed oils are created equal, but Harnett’s Oils really are more equal than others. For example, only GM-free, home-grown seeds are used and all seed crops are cultivated organically, avoiding the use of insecticide. Jane even allows a bit of extra ripening time to ensure the seeds are packed full of flavour – something that’s reflected in every bottle of the rapeseed oils and hemp oils. And remember, this is a family business, so her brother William and parents Ann and Michael are also involved in the cold-pressing, filtering, bottling and marketing of Harnett’s Oils.

Harnett’s Oils may be synonymous with rapeseed and hemp oils but nowadays the range includes salad dressings such as Hemp Balsamic Vinaigrette, Hemp Garlic and Mustard Dressing, Rapeseed Chilli and Garlic Oil, Orange and Rosemary Oil and Lemon and Thyme Oil. And for an extra special taste experience, Jane’s Dubh Salt, a natural sea salt harvested from the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean, is a must-try.

Your visitor experience

The Harnett family offers tours of Harnett’s Oils on the Waring Estate as well as talks to groups. For more details please check the details below.

Food tours: these include a visit to production facility to see the press, plus an opportunity to sample the various oils the Harnett’s Oil range.

Silva culture: with over 20 acres of the estate devoted to growing and nurturing a wide variety of pine trees, this tour will appeal to foresters and gardeners alike.

Farming groups: the Harnett family have long been at the cutting edge of innovative and renewable farming techniques and approaches. This make the family farm a must-see destination for farming groups throughout the UK and Ireland.

Garden tour: if fine gardens are your thing, then you will enjoy a tour of the gardens of the Waring Estate, which includes a fascinating insight to the history of the Estate.

These tours are currently only available for group bookings