Update on the Autumn programme

See below for an outline of our upcoming courses this Autumn. For more details on any of the courses, see the Courses page of the site, or contact us.

Note:

For details on the Wholefood Cookery course, which runs throughout this period, please see the separate dedicated post.

October

October 8th, 13th, 20th

Growing in Polytunnels

^{(10am-4.30pm)}

Cost: €40

2-day course Oct 14th and Nov 4th.

Natural Rustic Garden Features with Mark Wilson

Mark will be designing and making rustic garden signs, arches and furniture in the garden. Come along to learn, share and help.

Cost €40

Wed 14th, 7pm-10pm

Be the Change 

Worldwide symposium - This unique 3hr workshop draws on leading edge information from the world’s most respected thinkers and doers. It explores the current critical issues of environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.     

Donation

November

Sat 7th, 10am-4pm

Scéal na Cruinne

(Story of the Universe)

..we are a national gathering who explore the implications of the evolving Universe Story. This is Portumna’s turn as host. The gathering is open to all, so you are very welcome. 

Cost €20

Wed 18th, 10.30am - 3.30pm

Gardening with Biodiversity in Mind with Kay Synott of Living Gardens

As more habitats for our native flora and fauna are lost, gardens are important havens for wildlife. During this workshop you will learn how to make your garden wildlife friendly & how to garden in an environmentally sustainable way. 

(Part funded, details later)

Wed 25th,  10am-4.30pm

Tin and Copper Smithing with Mark Wilson

A simple approach to tin and copper smithing techniques using recycled copper cylinders to produce small items including buckets & jugs. If you have an old cylinder bring it along. 

Cost €40

December

Sat 5th, 10am - 4pm

Natural Festive Decor with Hayley Aldous

Christmas is now recognized as being the most polluting season of the year. This one day workshop is a time to explore, share and make decorations and gifts for a simpler and greener Christmas. 

Cost: €30

Fri 18th, 8 - 9.30pm

Winter Solstice Celebration

A time to reflect upon and celebrate mid-winter with each other and to look forward with joy and optimism to the coming season.

Donation

Wholefood Cookery with Lynda McFarland

Lynda's Whole-food Cookery Course begins on Saturday October 3rd. Each day runs from 10am - 2pm Contact Lynda at 087 7927471



October 3rd Gluten-free suitable for coeliacs, those with gluten or wheaten intolerance ......or to give your digestive system a holiday!



October 17th : Indian Vegetarian - learn how to use all these wonderful spices and how they help therapeutically.



October 31st: Healthy and nutritious cookery for all the family - How to get them to eat their veggies in clever, tasty ways!



November 14th : Healthy Lunchboxes for adults and children - soups, salads, snacks and sandwiches --and save money.



November 28th : Winter warmers - great soups and casseroles to warm your bones and get through the cold winter.



December 12th : Full of Beans - Learn to make tasy nutritious dishes using beans and lentils; healthy cookery for boosting energy levels!



December 19th : Tasty Vegetarian christmas cookery - learn how to make great tasting vegetarian dishes so no-one even notices the turkey is missing!

POLYTUNNEL COURSE 23rd September

Forgot to say that the day runs from 10.00am to 4.30pm

Polytunnel Course Wednesday 23rd September '09

This is the time to make your tunnel plans, whether it is a plan to purchase a tunnel or to decide your seasonal crops. Dolores Keegan will facilitate the day. Dolores is a long experienced tunnel grower and teacher of Organic Horticulture. She will cover every aspect, suitable crops, propagation, planting out, rotations, maintaining healthy soil and plants. She will answer any queries. The cost of the day is 40euro and this includes a healthy organic vegetarian lunch.
Apply to angairdin1@gmail.com or t0 0909741689.

Canticle to the Cosmos

My name is Bridget Carlin and I have recently started work at An Gairdin. My main task over the next few years will be to work in primary schools introducing children to 'The Universe Story". As part of my induction to the work I have been watching (on video) a series of 12 lectures by Brian Swimme Ph.D. and American cosmologist and pyhysicist, called 'Canticle to the Cosmos'.
I am a convinced environmentalist with a particular interest in biodiversity and I would have considered myself quite versed on ecological issues - however I have been enlightened, awed and reanimated by my exposure to Swimme's work. He is an inspired lecturer with great charm and a winningly understated sense of humour. His passion for his subject is incontestable - and why not? His subject being that everything in the universe came from that tremendous, awesome, creative energy unleashed by the fireball(Swimme rejects the phrase 'big bang' as too redolent of destruction.) That energy is the common ancestor of everything, animate and inanimate and all is inextricably linked in the universe. The world view that all is inextricably linked and interdependent replaces the western hierarchical world view that places the human at the head of a hierarchy of life. The web replaces the pyramid. Indigenous world view and mystical experience are coherent with scientific and empirical evidence.
Exposure to the life affirming philosophy expounded by Swimme has been a privilege and an inspiration and I would recommend every-one to indulge in it.

Peacock butterfly

Yesterday seemed to be butterfly day. They made the most of the sunshine between those heavy showers. I was able to watch this peacock butterfly bathing in the sunshine. Here's the picture for you to enjoy too.

Below I captured the peacock and thistle intimate moment.