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An Gáirdín Organic & Ecology Centre
An Gáirdín Organic & Ecology Centre.
St. Brigid’s Road, Portumna, Co. Galway.
Tel: 090 9741689
E-mail: angairdin1@gmail.com
www.angairdin.com
Here at An Gáirdín we cherish Earth as a living being, a wonderful web of interconnectedness and interdependence and we are committed to living in harmony with one another and with Earth’s magnificent diversity of life. We hope that the opportunities and courses that we offer here will awaken in us the understanding of the awesomeness of our connection with Earth.
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News Updates Courses and Events 2010 About Us |
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The United Nations has declared 2010 as International Biodiversity Year. Biodiversity is all of Earth’s life: microbes, people, plants and animals and the places in which they live (habitats). Biodiversity is all around us, from gardens to hedgerows, bogs to woods and mountaintops to coastlines. Let us take the opportunity we have during this year to stop and appreciate all the beauty of the diversity of life around us and take the steps needed to safeguard it for the future. We depend equally on each other for survival.
News Updates
24 June 2010
Timetable of Events for the Saturday of the Portumna Festival
12.00 pm - Herbs and their uses
2.00 pm - Biodiversity and Garden Tour
3.00 pm - Nature Trail for Children
Timetable of Events for the Saturday of the Portumna Festival
12.00 pm - Herbs and their uses
2.00 pm - Biodiversity and Garden Tour
3.00 pm - Nature Trail for Children
26 April 2010
Introduction to Divining with Ciarán Graham
Saturday 15th May 10am-4pm:This day is an opportunity to learn all about Divining and the divining instrument. We can learn how living in harmony with nature can bring health and healing into our homes and into our lives. Former chairman of the Irish Socieety of Diviners, Ciaran will introduce the insightful practice of Divining and the divining instrument, how to ask the right question, how to interpret the answer and understanding and respectikng the energy medium you are working with. Cost €45
Wholefood Cookery with Lynda McFarland
Thursday 13th May 7pm-9pm. Lynda will be giving a demonstration workshop on Cholesterol Lowering Cookery. She will offer tasting and recipes to try at home. Cost €20
Introduction to Divining with Ciarán Graham
Saturday 15th May 10am-4pm:This day is an opportunity to learn all about Divining and the divining instrument. We can learn how living in harmony with nature can bring health and healing into our homes and into our lives. Former chairman of the Irish Socieety of Diviners, Ciaran will introduce the insightful practice of Divining and the divining instrument, how to ask the right question, how to interpret the answer and understanding and respectikng the energy medium you are working with. Cost €45
Wholefood Cookery with Lynda McFarland
Thursday 13th May 7pm-9pm. Lynda will be giving a demonstration workshop on Cholesterol Lowering Cookery. She will offer tasting and recipes to try at home. Cost €20
29 March 2010
Herb Growing Made Easy - Wednesday 14th April 10am to 4pm With Dolores Keegan
Learn how to have a wide variety of fresh, tasty herbs all year round. During the course Dolores will share her 30 years experience of herb growing. We will cover seed sowing, taking cuttings, garden lay-out, getting your soil right, looking after your herbs to get the best from them and you will have some recipes to take home. Cost €40
Whole-food Cookery Class with Nutritionist Lynda McFarland
Lynda McFarland returns to present a series of workshops on preparing delicious & nutritious whole-foods.
Natural Rustic Garden Features with Mark Wilson - Wednesday 21st April 10am to 4pm
On this 1 day course Mark will be using the Bentwood Furniture Style and locally sourced materials to help participants to produce a rustic garden chair. Cost: €45 = €10 for materials, includes full Organic Vegetarian Lunch. Course limited to 8 participants so early booking is advisable.
Herb Growing Made Easy - Wednesday 14th April 10am to 4pm With Dolores Keegan
Learn how to have a wide variety of fresh, tasty herbs all year round. During the course Dolores will share her 30 years experience of herb growing. We will cover seed sowing, taking cuttings, garden lay-out, getting your soil right, looking after your herbs to get the best from them and you will have some recipes to take home. Cost €40
Whole-food Cookery Class with Nutritionist Lynda McFarland
Lynda McFarland returns to present a series of workshops on preparing delicious & nutritious whole-foods.
- Workshop 1: Thursday 15th April 7-9pm: “Gluten Free Cookery” Cost: €20
- Workshop 2: Thursday 13th May 7-9pm: “Cholesterol Lowering Cookery” Cost: €20
- Workshop 3: Saturday 12th June 10-2pm: “30 minute meals & snacks” Cost: €40 includes full Organic Vegetarian Lunch
- Workshop 4: Saturday 26th June 10-2pm: “Medicinal Foods” Cost: €40 includes full Organic Vegetarian Lunch
Natural Rustic Garden Features with Mark Wilson - Wednesday 21st April 10am to 4pm
On this 1 day course Mark will be using the Bentwood Furniture Style and locally sourced materials to help participants to produce a rustic garden chair. Cost: €45 = €10 for materials, includes full Organic Vegetarian Lunch. Course limited to 8 participants so early booking is advisable.
27 March 2010
Earth Hour Ireland 2010 - March 27th 8:30-9:30pm
Earth Hour: An initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, the inaugural Earth Hour was held in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million Sydneysiders, 2,100 businesses and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge switched off for just one hour to highlight climate change. Last year in 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries across the world – the greatest mass participation event in history took place, when over one billion people took action and switched off. Earth Hour 2010 continues as a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future. Pledge your support here and turn off your lights for one hour, Earth Hour, 8.30pm, Saturday 27th March 2010.
Lights Out: Ireland was the first European country to take part in Earth Hour. In 2009, as our National landmarks were symbolically plunged into darkness - Eirgrid noted the equivalent of over 700,000 lights being switched off throughout Ireland at a time when the national team was playing a vital world cup qualifying match! This year, we hope to do even better!
Trad Night by Candlelight: This year, we would like to mark the occasion a uniquely Irish way with an event which we hope will take off all around the country and become one of the more remarkable events of 2010. Local establishments the length and breadth of the country are invited to join in the celebrations this year. Visit changeblog.ie for more info and to download a poster or register with awareness@environ.ie for full-size (A2) posters and to have your local participating establishment's name listed on our blog. We hope anyone hosting an event (which can be in any location) will send details of what happened to awareness@environ.ie and we will highlight them as best we can on our blog and on our next eZine. The aim is to highlight the past and remember old traditions which seem more valuable now than ever. To a past when all food was locally produced, when old things were reused and broken things repaired, when people swapped or shared and nothing was wasted - when your local community was your support and your connection to the world. As the world prepares to switch off all non-essential lighting once more, we would like to celebrate the event as only Ireland can, with a.. "Trad Night by Candlelight" "So bring along your Voice. Bring along your Whistle, Guitar, your Pipes or your Fiddle - come along and enjoy the Craic. Absorb the atmosphere of old and look forward to a brighter Future"
Trad Night Launch - Temple Bar: The launch of the Trad Night was held on the 22nd of March in the world-famous "Oliver St John Gogarty's" in Temple Bar. Temple Bar will be hopping on the 27th, with many establishments committed to holding an event. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D. was delighted to kick-off proceedings, noting how the lower lighting complimented the music and ideals of the event - while Kieran Hanrahan, respected musician and host of RTÉ's 'Céilí House' was delighted with the level of support shown by Temple Bar and all establishments, musicians and music-lovers taking part nationally in such an important global event.
Earth Hour Ireland 2010 - March 27th 8:30-9:30pm
Earth Hour: An initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, the inaugural Earth Hour was held in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million Sydneysiders, 2,100 businesses and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge switched off for just one hour to highlight climate change. Last year in 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries across the world – the greatest mass participation event in history took place, when over one billion people took action and switched off. Earth Hour 2010 continues as a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future. Pledge your support here and turn off your lights for one hour, Earth Hour, 8.30pm, Saturday 27th March 2010.
Lights Out: Ireland was the first European country to take part in Earth Hour. In 2009, as our National landmarks were symbolically plunged into darkness - Eirgrid noted the equivalent of over 700,000 lights being switched off throughout Ireland at a time when the national team was playing a vital world cup qualifying match! This year, we hope to do even better!
Trad Night by Candlelight: This year, we would like to mark the occasion a uniquely Irish way with an event which we hope will take off all around the country and become one of the more remarkable events of 2010. Local establishments the length and breadth of the country are invited to join in the celebrations this year. Visit changeblog.ie for more info and to download a poster or register with awareness@environ.ie for full-size (A2) posters and to have your local participating establishment's name listed on our blog. We hope anyone hosting an event (which can be in any location) will send details of what happened to awareness@environ.ie and we will highlight them as best we can on our blog and on our next eZine. The aim is to highlight the past and remember old traditions which seem more valuable now than ever. To a past when all food was locally produced, when old things were reused and broken things repaired, when people swapped or shared and nothing was wasted - when your local community was your support and your connection to the world. As the world prepares to switch off all non-essential lighting once more, we would like to celebrate the event as only Ireland can, with a.. "Trad Night by Candlelight" "So bring along your Voice. Bring along your Whistle, Guitar, your Pipes or your Fiddle - come along and enjoy the Craic. Absorb the atmosphere of old and look forward to a brighter Future"
Trad Night Launch - Temple Bar: The launch of the Trad Night was held on the 22nd of March in the world-famous "Oliver St John Gogarty's" in Temple Bar. Temple Bar will be hopping on the 27th, with many establishments committed to holding an event. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D. was delighted to kick-off proceedings, noting how the lower lighting complimented the music and ideals of the event - while Kieran Hanrahan, respected musician and host of RTÉ's 'Céilí House' was delighted with the level of support shown by Temple Bar and all establishments, musicians and music-lovers taking part nationally in such an important global event.
22 February 2010
National Tree Week
Sunday 7th March 2pm - 4pm: Invitation to all - An Gáirdín are delighted to announce the launch of a Dedication Grove. It will be assigning a plot of land in which one can plant a tree/trees for special occasions. The Dedication Grove is an ideal and novel way to remember a loved one, celebrate an event such as births, engagements, marriages, and new jobs or just to let someone know that they are in your thoughts. The recipient will receive a Gift Card/Certificate containing the tree name, number and other details. The trees planted will be native e.g. Birch, Alder, Oak, Rowan (Mountain Ash) and Holly.
Not only is this a beautiful gift but it is also an act of faith or trust in the future and helps the environment.
The cost is €10 per tree with a discount for a number of trees. Please contact An Gairdin for further details on 090 9741689 Email: angairdin1@gmail.com Website: www.angairdin.com
National Tree Week
Sunday 7th March 2pm - 4pm: Invitation to all - An Gáirdín are delighted to announce the launch of a Dedication Grove. It will be assigning a plot of land in which one can plant a tree/trees for special occasions. The Dedication Grove is an ideal and novel way to remember a loved one, celebrate an event such as births, engagements, marriages, and new jobs or just to let someone know that they are in your thoughts. The recipient will receive a Gift Card/Certificate containing the tree name, number and other details. The trees planted will be native e.g. Birch, Alder, Oak, Rowan (Mountain Ash) and Holly.
Not only is this a beautiful gift but it is also an act of faith or trust in the future and helps the environment.
The cost is €10 per tree with a discount for a number of trees. Please contact An Gairdin for further details on 090 9741689 Email: angairdin1@gmail.com Website: www.angairdin.com
Courses and Events 2010
Early booking is advisable with a €20 deposit for all day courses.
Dynamic Healthcare with Homeopathy Workshop 4
Saturday 8th May 10am - 4pm
The last of four Saturday workshops with Renée Strauss ISHom, registered with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.
Cost: €45
Saturday 8th May 10am - 4pm
The last of four Saturday workshops with Renée Strauss ISHom, registered with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.
Cost: €45
Salad Production with Dolores Keegan
Wednesday 12th May 10am - 4pm
Covering a large range of Salad Crops – seed varieties, propagation, spacing, tending, rotations, and diseases, outdoor and in the tunnel.
Cost: €45
Wednesday 12th May 10am - 4pm
Covering a large range of Salad Crops – seed varieties, propagation, spacing, tending, rotations, and diseases, outdoor and in the tunnel.
Cost: €45
Whole-food Cookery with nutritionist Lynda McFarland - Workshop 2 Cholesterol Lowering Cookery
Thursday 13th May 7pm - 9pm
Demo, sampling and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €20
Thursday 13th May 7pm - 9pm
Demo, sampling and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €20
Introduction to Divining with Ciarán Graham
Saturday 15th May 10am - 4pm
Former chairman of the Irish Society of Diviners, Ciarán will introduce the insightful practice of divining and the divining instrument, how to ask the right question, how to interpret the answer, understanding and respecting the energy medium you are working with, application of divining techniques and an introduction to Geopathic Stress.
Cost: €45
Saturday 15th May 10am - 4pm
Former chairman of the Irish Society of Diviners, Ciarán will introduce the insightful practice of divining and the divining instrument, how to ask the right question, how to interpret the answer, understanding and respecting the energy medium you are working with, application of divining techniques and an introduction to Geopathic Stress.
Cost: €45
National Birdwatch Ireland Dawn Chorus
Sunday 16th May
Birdwatch Ireland encourage us to get up with the larks and experience the first call into the early morning stillness and slowly rising to the crescendo of the great symphony of birdsong. Do not miss it!
Cost: -
Sunday 16th May
Birdwatch Ireland encourage us to get up with the larks and experience the first call into the early morning stillness and slowly rising to the crescendo of the great symphony of birdsong. Do not miss it!
Cost: -
International Biodiversity Day
Saturday 22nd May
It would mark the beginning of wisdom to pay attention to ecosystems - mountain ranges, watersheds, river and lake systems, wetlands – rather than regions determined by politics or economics. The fish, the birds, the mammals, the forest - reflect built-in territorial rhythms that are worthy of respect. The elements that have sparked life onto this planet and continue to fuel it - air, water, soil, energy and biodiversity – are sacrosanct and need to be treated as such." (David Suzuki)
Cost: -
Saturday 22nd May
It would mark the beginning of wisdom to pay attention to ecosystems - mountain ranges, watersheds, river and lake systems, wetlands – rather than regions determined by politics or economics. The fish, the birds, the mammals, the forest - reflect built-in territorial rhythms that are worthy of respect. The elements that have sparked life onto this planet and continue to fuel it - air, water, soil, energy and biodiversity – are sacrosanct and need to be treated as such." (David Suzuki)
Cost: -
Papermaking with Hayley Aldous
Saturday 29th May 10am - 4pm
A fun and creative response to recycling this course will introduce basic papermaking techniques, including making simple moulds and deckles, preparing pulp and experimenting with natural colours and fibres. Participants will take home their own individual pieces and work together on a larger group piece.
Cost: €45 - Limited Places
Saturday 29th May 10am - 4pm
A fun and creative response to recycling this course will introduce basic papermaking techniques, including making simple moulds and deckles, preparing pulp and experimenting with natural colours and fibres. Participants will take home their own individual pieces and work together on a larger group piece.
Cost: €45 - Limited Places
Blacksmithing Course with Mark Wilson
Wednesday 2nd June 10am - 4pm
Introduction to Small Scale Blacksmithing. This day will include how to make a simple forge fuelled by charcoal and using recycled metal to produce small items; jewellery items, copper bracelets etc. Each participant will also make small hooks or poker to take home.
Cost: €45
Wednesday 2nd June 10am - 4pm
Introduction to Small Scale Blacksmithing. This day will include how to make a simple forge fuelled by charcoal and using recycled metal to produce small items; jewellery items, copper bracelets etc. Each participant will also make small hooks or poker to take home.
Cost: €45
Whole-food Cookery with nutritionist Lynda McFarland - Workshop 3 30 minute meals and snacks
Saturday 12th June 10am - 2pm
Demo, sampling, full lunch and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €40
Saturday 12th June 10am - 2pm
Demo, sampling, full lunch and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €40
Summer Solstice Celebration
Monday 21st June 7.30pm - 9pm
We have been gradually moving through the season of Spring to midsummer. Again we invite you to join us in tuning into and celebrating the rhythm and energy of the longest day, the fullness of light, the magnificence of colour and the fertility of earth.
Cost: Donation
Monday 21st June 7.30pm - 9pm
We have been gradually moving through the season of Spring to midsummer. Again we invite you to join us in tuning into and celebrating the rhythm and energy of the longest day, the fullness of light, the magnificence of colour and the fertility of earth.
Cost: Donation
Whole-food Cookery with nutritionist Lynda McFarland Workshop 4 Medicinal foods - let food be thy medicine!
Saturday 26th June 10am - 2pm
Demo, sampling, full lunch and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €40
Saturday 26th June 10am - 2pm
Demo, sampling, full lunch and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €40
About Us
In 1994 a small group of Mercy Sisters from the Clonfert Diocese came together to find new ways of expressing our commitment to Earth. We were awakening to the vision of Earth as a living organism, a great web of interconnectedness and interdependent life. We shared the desire to rediscover together who we humans are as a strand of this magnificent web. You could say we shared the desire to ‘come home’ to Earth after a long absence.And so An Gáirdín came into being!
At that time the site of the Rural Domestic School here in Portumna, which had taught agriculture and traditional craft sand skills for a hundred years became available to us. ‘To make again a garden of this place’ (Elizabeth Roberts) became our motto as we set out to learn to live in communion with one another and with the great diversity of life around us.At An Gáirdín, all of our courses, groups, celebrations and activities are based on our search, in collaboration with others, to find ways of living in a mutually enhancing relationship with the Earth and the whole Earth Community.
“We are returning to our place after a long absence, meeting once again with our kin in the earth community.” (Thomas Berry in Dream of the Earth)
Iontas (meaning ‘wonderment’)We’ve decided to name our new gathering space Iontas as we believe that what is being asked of us as humans at this time is to make the transition into Wonderment/Iontas. Iontas is becoming a wonderfully creative building with our own workshops and with others who wish to enjoy this special space.
Schools
We are inviting schools to take part in our new programme where we will be supporting students to cultivate their own organic school garden and cook the produce, in the context of appreciating biodiversity and the evolving Universe Story.
Organic Horticulture Courses
In early February we will be resuming our 10 day Organic Horticulture courses. This one day per month course takes participants right through the growing seasons. This is a popular course so please book early. We also facilitate other Organic Horticulture courses e.g. Growing in Polytunnels, Salad Production and Herb Production in the context of biodiversity.
Study/Reflection Group
We meet every other Monday night. We choose authors who express insight into this unique time in the history of the planet.
Be the Change Symposium
This is a unique three hour workshop exploring the world’s most critical issues - environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment. We will facilitate this symposium in your club/organization/parish/community, or with a gathering of friends in your home groups. (Roisin O’Brien, Michael O’Rourke and Noreen Lyons are trained Symposium facilitators)
Celebrations
We take time out to pay attention to and celebrate the feasts that mark the changing seasons and cycles of nature - Spring and Autumn Equinoxes and Summer and Winter Solstices. Tuning into nature's changing rhythms and energies brings harmony and balance in our own lives. We celebrate with meditation, song, dance and sharing of earth's produce. All are welcome.
Please do not hesitate to contact to contact us if you are interested in any of our programmes. A full list of our courses is available on our web site: www.angairdin.com
Thank You.
