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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
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.
Growing your own Fruit with Dolores Keegan
Wednesday 24th February 10am – 4pm
Almost every month of the year you can be eating your own organic fresh fruit. This course will teach you how to achieve this. We will cover top and soft fruit, varieties, planting, feeding, spacing, pruning, pests and diseases.
Cost: €45
Wednesday 24th February 10am – 4pm
Almost every month of the year you can be eating your own organic fresh fruit. This course will teach you how to achieve this. We will cover top and soft fruit, varieties, planting, feeding, spacing, pruning, pests and diseases.
Cost: €45
Be the Change Symposium
Wednesday 24th February 7.30pm - 10pm
The symposium invites us to look a little more deeply at the issues facing us at this time; ecological, spiritual and justice issues. It helps us understand our present situation and offers us hope and some practical steps we can take. Through the use of film clips and video the symposium presents the greatest thinkers and leaders of our time.
Cost: Donation
Wednesday 24th February 7.30pm - 10pm
The symposium invites us to look a little more deeply at the issues facing us at this time; ecological, spiritual and justice issues. It helps us understand our present situation and offers us hope and some practical steps we can take. Through the use of film clips and video the symposium presents the greatest thinkers and leaders of our time.
Cost: Donation
Wattle and Hazel Fencing with Mark Wilson
Saturday 27th February 10am – 4pm
This technique was used for fencing, fencing panels and as partitions for traditional houses. (Wattle and Daub) Participants will learn to split and weave hazel to produce low and rustic fencing for their garden.
Cost: €45
Saturday 27th February 10am – 4pm
This technique was used for fencing, fencing panels and as partitions for traditional houses. (Wattle and Daub) Participants will learn to split and weave hazel to produce low and rustic fencing for their garden.
Cost: €45
Celebrate National Tree Week (7th-13th March) “Twenty Ten-Plant Again”
Sunday 7th March 2pm - 4pm
At An Gáirdín we planted hundreds of native trees to celebrate the millennium. It’s 2010 so we plant again! To celebrate National Tree Week we will be launching a Dedication Grove on Sunday 7th. Come along and plant a tree as a gift or in memory of a special occasion or person. You will receive a gift card with your tree details to keep as a memento.
Cost: Please book. €10 per tree
Sunday 7th March 2pm - 4pm
At An Gáirdín we planted hundreds of native trees to celebrate the millennium. It’s 2010 so we plant again! To celebrate National Tree Week we will be launching a Dedication Grove on Sunday 7th. Come along and plant a tree as a gift or in memory of a special occasion or person. You will receive a gift card with your tree details to keep as a memento.
Cost: Please book. €10 per tree
Dynamic Healthcare with Homeopathy Workshop 2
Saturday 13th March 10am - 4pm
The second of four Saturday workshops with Renée Strauss ISHom, registered with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.
Cost: €45
Saturday 13th March 10am - 4pm
The second of four Saturday workshops with Renée Strauss ISHom, registered with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.
Cost: €45
Scéal na Cruinne
Saturday 20th March 10am - 4pm
The Universe Story - Scéal na Cruinne - is above all a story of Biodiversity. Kay Synott of Living Gardens will help us to open up to the magnificence of Earth’s Biodiversity. She will lead us in practical ways to enhance the Biodiversity in our own gardens.
Cost: €25
Saturday 20th March 10am - 4pm
The Universe Story - Scéal na Cruinne - is above all a story of Biodiversity. Kay Synott of Living Gardens will help us to open up to the magnificence of Earth’s Biodiversity. She will lead us in practical ways to enhance the Biodiversity in our own gardens.
Cost: €25
Spring Equinox Celebration
Monday 22nd March 7.30pm - 9pm
This is a time of equilibrium and balance of Earth's energies, a time of re-emerging growth and newness. We invite you to come and join us to celebrate this very special and beautiful season of the year.
Cost: Donation
Monday 22nd March 7.30pm - 9pm
This is a time of equilibrium and balance of Earth's energies, a time of re-emerging growth and newness. We invite you to come and join us to celebrate this very special and beautiful season of the year.
Cost: Donation
Growing in Polytunnels with Dolores Keegan
Wednesday 24th March 10am - 4pm
This day covers all aspects of tunnel growing including: choosing and erecting a tunnel, choosing suitable varieties of plants for tunnels, designing a yearly crop plan, maintaining healthy plants and irrigation.
Cost: €45
Wednesday 24th March 10am - 4pm
This day covers all aspects of tunnel growing including: choosing and erecting a tunnel, choosing suitable varieties of plants for tunnels, designing a yearly crop plan, maintaining healthy plants and irrigation.
Cost: €45
Herb Growing Made Easy with Dolores Keegan
Wednesday 14th April 10am - 4pm
Learn how to have a wide variety of fresh, tasty herbs all year round. During the course Dolores will share her thirty 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: €45
Wednesday 14th April 10am - 4pm
Learn how to have a wide variety of fresh, tasty herbs all year round. During the course Dolores will share her thirty 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: €45
Whole-food Cookery Classes with nutritionist Lynda McFarland - Workshop 1 "Gluten Free Cookery"
Thursday 15th April 7pm - 9pm
Lynda returns to An Gáirdín to deliver a series of workshops on preparing delicious & nutritious whole-foods. Demo, sampling and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €20
Thursday 15th April 7pm - 9pm
Lynda returns to An Gáirdín to deliver a series of workshops on preparing delicious & nutritious whole-foods. Demo, sampling and recipes to try at home.
Cost: €20
Dynamic Healthcare with Homeopathy Workshop 3
Saturday 17th April 10am - 4pm
The third of four Saturday workshops with Renée Strauss ISHom, registered with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.
Cost: €45
Saturday 17th April 10am - 4pm
The third of four Saturday workshops with Renée Strauss ISHom, registered with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.
Cost: €45
Natural Rustic Garden Features with Mark Wilson
Wednesday 21st April 10am - 4pm
On this day Mark will be using the American Bentwood Furniture style and locally sourced materials to help participants in producing a small chair. Course limited to 8 participants.
Cost: €45 + €10 Materials
Wednesday 21st April 10am - 4pm
On this day Mark will be using the American Bentwood Furniture style and locally sourced materials to help participants in producing a small chair. Course limited to 8 participants.
Cost: €45 + €10 Materials
International Earth Day
Thursday 22nd April
Writer Oliver Sacks describes his first time into the garden after confinement due to an injury. "There was great joy - to be out in the air....a pure and intense joy, a blessing, to feel the sun on my face and the wind in my hair, to hear birds, to see, touch and fondle the living plants. Some essential connection and communion with nature were re-established. Some part of me came alive when I was taken into the garden." Today resolve to spend some time with nature.
Cost: -
Thursday 22nd April
Writer Oliver Sacks describes his first time into the garden after confinement due to an injury. "There was great joy - to be out in the air....a pure and intense joy, a blessing, to feel the sun on my face and the wind in my hair, to hear birds, to see, touch and fondle the living plants. Some essential connection and communion with nature were re-established. Some part of me came alive when I was taken into the garden." Today resolve to spend some time with nature.
Cost: -
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.
