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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 2011 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
31 October 2011
Monday Morning Courses
Date: Monday 7th November
Make Your Own Raised Beds 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Raised beds make gardening so much easier. You will learn how to source materials, and with a few easy skills make your own raised bed at minimum cost.
Date: Monday 14th November
Make Your Own Compost 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Making compost has got bad press but follow a few tips and its foolproof. Learn for good how to turn your household and garden waste into real compost that will enrich your garden soil.
Date: Monday 21st November
Make Your Compost Bins 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Learn how to turn used pallets into ideal compost bins. You can do it! Save money and be self- sufficient.
Date: Monday 28th November
Make Your Own Bird Table/Boxes. Cost 10euros
If you are attracting birds to your garden learn how to make your own bird boxes from recycled materials and add your own personal touch. They cost you nothing! Learn too to make your own bird table.
Monday Morning Courses
Date: Monday 7th November
Make Your Own Raised Beds 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Raised beds make gardening so much easier. You will learn how to source materials, and with a few easy skills make your own raised bed at minimum cost.
Date: Monday 14th November
Make Your Own Compost 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Making compost has got bad press but follow a few tips and its foolproof. Learn for good how to turn your household and garden waste into real compost that will enrich your garden soil.
Date: Monday 21st November
Make Your Compost Bins 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Learn how to turn used pallets into ideal compost bins. You can do it! Save money and be self- sufficient.
Date: Monday 28th November
Make Your Own Bird Table/Boxes. Cost 10euros
If you are attracting birds to your garden learn how to make your own bird boxes from recycled materials and add your own personal touch. They cost you nothing! Learn too to make your own bird table.
15 October 2011
Introduction to Basket Making with Barry Noyce
Date: Saturday 22nd October 10am - 4pm
In this course participants will learn about tools, materials and techniques common to the craft of basketry before making their own simple stake and strand basket to take home. The course is limited to 6people with materials and equipment provided.
Cost 40euro including organic vegetarian lunch and refreshments.
Monday Morning Courses
Date: Monday 7th November
Make Your Own Raised Beds 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Raised beds make gardening so much easier. You will learn how to source materials, and with a few easy skills make your own raised bed at minimum cost.
Date: Monday 14th November
Make Your Own Compost 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Making compost has got bad press but follow a few tips and its foolproof. Learn for good how to turn your household and garden waste into real compost that will enrich your garden soil.
Date: Monday 21st November
Make Your Compost Bins 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Learn how to turn used pallets into ideal compost bins. You can do it! Save money and be self- sufficient.
Introduction to Basket Making with Barry Noyce
Date: Saturday 22nd October 10am - 4pm
In this course participants will learn about tools, materials and techniques common to the craft of basketry before making their own simple stake and strand basket to take home. The course is limited to 6people with materials and equipment provided.
Cost 40euro including organic vegetarian lunch and refreshments.
Monday Morning Courses
Date: Monday 7th November
Make Your Own Raised Beds 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Raised beds make gardening so much easier. You will learn how to source materials, and with a few easy skills make your own raised bed at minimum cost.
Date: Monday 14th November
Make Your Own Compost 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Making compost has got bad press but follow a few tips and its foolproof. Learn for good how to turn your household and garden waste into real compost that will enrich your garden soil.
Date: Monday 21st November
Make Your Compost Bins 10am-12pm. Cost 10euros
Learn how to turn used pallets into ideal compost bins. You can do it! Save money and be self- sufficient.
31 May 2011
Salad Production with Dolores Keegan
Date: Wednesday 8th June 10am - 4pm
This day is for those who wish to know how to successfully grow a large range of Salad Crops for you own use or as an economic enterprise. Dolores will cover seed varieties, propagation, spacing, tending, rotations, and diseases. The day will include outdoor and indoor in tunnels.
Cost 45euro Contact 0909741689 or email angairdin1@gmail.com
The Rainforest on our Doorstep with Dr. John Feehan
Date: Saturday 11th June 10am - 4pm
We had a very inspiring, provocative and enjoyable biodiversity day with with Dr. John Feehan on Saturday 21st May. We looked at the Biodiversity crisis and the unique contribution every species makes to the Rainbow of Life on earth. We looked at the importance of Local Biodiversity Action Plans and at how local communities and individuals might contribute. John will be with us again on Saturday 11th June for a more practical day when we will look at the Biodiversity on our Doorstep, concentrating mainly on getting to know the plant life that surrounds us: trees and shrubs, and other flowering plants including grasses. This promises to be another enjoyable day.
Cost: 40 euro. Contact 0909741689 or email angairdin1@gmail.com
Salad Production with Dolores Keegan
Date: Wednesday 8th June 10am - 4pm
This day is for those who wish to know how to successfully grow a large range of Salad Crops for you own use or as an economic enterprise. Dolores will cover seed varieties, propagation, spacing, tending, rotations, and diseases. The day will include outdoor and indoor in tunnels.
Cost 45euro Contact 0909741689 or email angairdin1@gmail.com
The Rainforest on our Doorstep with Dr. John Feehan
Date: Saturday 11th June 10am - 4pm
We had a very inspiring, provocative and enjoyable biodiversity day with with Dr. John Feehan on Saturday 21st May. We looked at the Biodiversity crisis and the unique contribution every species makes to the Rainbow of Life on earth. We looked at the importance of Local Biodiversity Action Plans and at how local communities and individuals might contribute. John will be with us again on Saturday 11th June for a more practical day when we will look at the Biodiversity on our Doorstep, concentrating mainly on getting to know the plant life that surrounds us: trees and shrubs, and other flowering plants including grasses. This promises to be another enjoyable day.
Cost: 40 euro. Contact 0909741689 or email angairdin1@gmail.com
06 March 2011
Spring / Summer Courses and Events 2011
You can now view the Spring / Summer calendar of events in the Courses and Events 2011 section. You can also download the full Spring / Summer brochure by clicking here: Download Spring / Summer Brochure 2011.
Spring / Summer Courses and Events 2011
You can now view the Spring / Summer calendar of events in the Courses and Events 2011 section. You can also download the full Spring / Summer brochure by clicking here: Download Spring / Summer Brochure 2011.
03 March 2011
Medical Dowsing with Ciaran Graham
Date: Saturday 5th March 10am - 2.30pm
Medical Dowsing - the oldest form of medical diagnosis is carried out with the aid of a pendulum or other intuitive instrument to identify the likely cause of a given illness. Learn to use your divining skills to diagnose a range of illness's and ailments.
Cost: €30 Contact: An Gáirdín: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com or www.angairdin.com
Collecting your Rainwater with Muriel Hayden & Michael O'Rourke
Date: Monday 21st March 7pm – 9pm
Muriel will demonstrate how she has devised her own inexpensive method of saving rainwater for her small business. Michael has been equally creative in saving rainwater from his tunnel and from other sources. Given the present phenomenon of water shortage and upcoming water rates, this is a timely workshop. All are welcome.
Cost: €15 Contact: An Gáirdín: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com or www.angairdin.com
Cardio Cookery with Lynda McFarland
Date: Thursday 24th March 7pm - 9pm
Cardio Cookery – Lynda will demonstrate healthy cookery and nutrition aimed at lowering LDL Cholesterol and balancing Blood Pressure naturally through diet and lifestyle.
Cost: €20,includes demo and sampling. Contact: An Gáirdín: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com or www.angairdin.com
Medical Dowsing with Ciaran Graham
Date: Saturday 5th March 10am - 2.30pm
Medical Dowsing - the oldest form of medical diagnosis is carried out with the aid of a pendulum or other intuitive instrument to identify the likely cause of a given illness. Learn to use your divining skills to diagnose a range of illness's and ailments.
Cost: €30 Contact: An Gáirdín: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com or www.angairdin.com
Collecting your Rainwater with Muriel Hayden & Michael O'Rourke
Date: Monday 21st March 7pm – 9pm
Muriel will demonstrate how she has devised her own inexpensive method of saving rainwater for her small business. Michael has been equally creative in saving rainwater from his tunnel and from other sources. Given the present phenomenon of water shortage and upcoming water rates, this is a timely workshop. All are welcome.
Cost: €15 Contact: An Gáirdín: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com or www.angairdin.com
Cardio Cookery with Lynda McFarland
Date: Thursday 24th March 7pm - 9pm
Cardio Cookery – Lynda will demonstrate healthy cookery and nutrition aimed at lowering LDL Cholesterol and balancing Blood Pressure naturally through diet and lifestyle.
Cost: €20,includes demo and sampling. Contact: An Gáirdín: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com or www.angairdin.com
13 January 2011
YOGA With Ruth
An Gairdin Organic & Ecology Centre, Portumna. Start Date: Tuesday 25th January
6.00pm-7.45 pm for General & Beginners
7.45pm-9.00 pm for Advanced
Cost: €120 for 12 weeks
Contact Ruth: 087 2434759 or 065 6835548
Weight Loss Cookery with Lynda McFarland
Healthy cookery and nutrition aimed at balancing blood sugar levels, thereby preventing cravings and supporting weight loss.
Date: Thurs January 20th - 7pm-9pm.
Cost: €25 includes demo and sampling.
Contact An Gairdin: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com
YOGA With Ruth
An Gairdin Organic & Ecology Centre, Portumna. Start Date: Tuesday 25th January
6.00pm-7.45 pm for General & Beginners
7.45pm-9.00 pm for Advanced
Cost: €120 for 12 weeks
Contact Ruth: 087 2434759 or 065 6835548
Weight Loss Cookery with Lynda McFarland
Healthy cookery and nutrition aimed at balancing blood sugar levels, thereby preventing cravings and supporting weight loss.
Date: Thurs January 20th - 7pm-9pm.
Cost: €25 includes demo and sampling.
Contact An Gairdin: 090 9741689 or angairdin1@gmail.com
Courses and Events 2011
Early booking is advisable with a €20 deposit for all day courses.
March
Medical Dowsing with Ciaran Graham
Sat 5th March 2011 - 10am to 2.30pm
Medical Dowsing – the oldest form of medical diagnosis is carried out with the aid of a pendulum or other intuitive instrument to identify the likely cause of a given illness. You will learn to use your divining skills.
Cost: €30
Sat 5th March 2011 - 10am to 2.30pm
Medical Dowsing – the oldest form of medical diagnosis is carried out with the aid of a pendulum or other intuitive instrument to identify the likely cause of a given illness. You will learn to use your divining skills.
Cost: €30
National Tree Week
6th – 12th March 2011
Join us during the week and learn how to plant Small Native Woodland in the corner of your garden and how to plant a Native Hedgerow. Contact us for further details.
Cost: -
6th – 12th March 2011
Join us during the week and learn how to plant Small Native Woodland in the corner of your garden and how to plant a Native Hedgerow. Contact us for further details.
Cost: -
Collecting your Rainwater with Muriel Hayden & Michael O'Rourke
Mon 21st March 2011 - 7pm to 9pm
Muriel will demonstrate how she has devised her own inexpensive method of saving Rainwater for her small business. Michael has been equally creative in saving rainwater from his tunnel and other sources. Avoid water shortage!
Cost: €15
Mon 21st March 2011 - 7pm to 9pm
Muriel will demonstrate how she has devised her own inexpensive method of saving Rainwater for her small business. Michael has been equally creative in saving rainwater from his tunnel and other sources. Avoid water shortage!
Cost: €15
Wholefood Cookery with Lynda McFarland - Class 3: Cardio Cookery
Thurs 24th March 2011 - 7pm to 9pm
Lynda will demonstrate healthy cookery and nutrition aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol and balancing blood pressure naturally through diet and lifestyle. Demo & Sampling
Cost: €20
Thurs 24th March 2011 - 7pm to 9pm
Lynda will demonstrate healthy cookery and nutrition aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol and balancing blood pressure naturally through diet and lifestyle. Demo & Sampling
Cost: €20
Spring Equinox with Colette Baynes
Sat 26th March 2011 - 10.30am to 1pm
Celebrate this special season of balance, of equal day and night, of new life and hope, with song, dance and meditation. All are welcome.
Cost: €20
Sat 26th March 2011 - 10.30am to 1pm
Celebrate this special season of balance, of equal day and night, of new life and hope, with song, dance and meditation. All are welcome.
Cost: €20
April
Herb Growing Made Easy with Dolores Keegan
Sat 16th April 2011 - 10am to 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
Sat 16th April 2011 - 10am to 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
Composting : Morning Workshop with Kieran Hickland - Marking International Earth Day
Thurs 21st April 2011 - 10.30am to 12.30
Once and for all why not take this opportunity to learn the few basic and easy rules that will turn your organic/kitchen waste into rich garden fertiliser. Kieran will take you practically through each step. Save money! Save labour! Do something really really worthwhile. You'll feel great!!
Cost: €10
Thurs 21st April 2011 - 10.30am to 12.30
Once and for all why not take this opportunity to learn the few basic and easy rules that will turn your organic/kitchen waste into rich garden fertiliser. Kieran will take you practically through each step. Save money! Save labour! Do something really really worthwhile. You'll feel great!!
Cost: €10
Wholefood Cookery with Lynda McFarland - Class 4: Energy Boosting
Thurs 21st April 2011 - 7pm to 9pm
During this class Lynda will demonstrate healthy cookery aimed at boosting energy levels in the body and alleviating fatigue. Demo & Sampling.
Cost: €20
Thurs 21st April 2011 - 7pm to 9pm
During this class Lynda will demonstrate healthy cookery aimed at boosting energy levels in the body and alleviating fatigue. Demo & Sampling.
Cost: €20
May
Celebrating Bealtaine with Colette Baynes
Sat 7th May 2011 - 10.30am to 1pm
Spring is turning to Summer. Birdsong fills the air and growth is everywhere. Life is bursting with fertility. Colette will lead us in this celebration with time in nature, dance and meditation. All are welcome.
Cost: €20
Sat 7th May 2011 - 10.30am to 1pm
Spring is turning to Summer. Birdsong fills the air and growth is everywhere. Life is bursting with fertility. Colette will lead us in this celebration with time in nature, dance and meditation. All are welcome.
Cost: €20
Growing in Polytunnels with Dolores Keegan
Wed 11th May 2011 - 10am to 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
Wed 11th May 2011 - 10am to 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
Awakening to the World of Nature with John Feehan
Sat 21st May 2011 - 10am to 4pm (& June 11th)
We will be out and about with John as he leads us into the world of plants, insects, invertebrates and their habitats. John's intimate knowledge, enthusiasm and vast experience will make this day one of exciting learning and marvelous discovery.
Day 2 in June John will be leading us in exploring and getting to know the Ecology of the local area.
Cost: €40
Sat 21st May 2011 - 10am to 4pm (& June 11th)
We will be out and about with John as he leads us into the world of plants, insects, invertebrates and their habitats. John's intimate knowledge, enthusiasm and vast experience will make this day one of exciting learning and marvelous discovery.
Day 2 in June John will be leading us in exploring and getting to know the Ecology of the local area.
Cost: €40
Preserving and Storing Your Produce with Renée Strauss
Sat 28 May 2011 - 10am to 2pm (& June 25th)
Renée will demonstrate how to capture the flavours as you store your fruit and vegetables fresh from your garden in jams, chutneys, relishes and pickles. Demo, sampling and something to bring home!
Renée will continue with further methods on June 25th.
Cost: €25
Sat 28 May 2011 - 10am to 2pm (& June 25th)
Renée will demonstrate how to capture the flavours as you store your fruit and vegetables fresh from your garden in jams, chutneys, relishes and pickles. Demo, sampling and something to bring home!
Renée will continue with further methods on June 25th.
Cost: €25
June
Salad Production with Dolores Keegan
Wed 8th June 2011 - 10am to 4pm
Dolores will cover a large range of Salad Crops – seed varieties, propagation, spacing, tending, rotations, and diseases, outdoors and in the tunnel.
Cost: €45
Wed 8th June 2011 - 10am to 4pm
Dolores will cover a large range of Salad Crops – seed varieties, propagation, spacing, tending, rotations, and diseases, outdoors and in the tunnel.
Cost: €45
Awakening to the World of Nature with John Feehan
Sat 11th June 2011 - 10.30am to 4pm
Again we will be out and about with John as he leads us into the world of plants, insects, invertebrates and their habitats. Today we will be focusing more on the Ecology of the local area. We are guaranteed another day of exciting learning and marvelous discovery.
Cost: €40
Sat 11th June 2011 - 10.30am to 4pm
Again we will be out and about with John as he leads us into the world of plants, insects, invertebrates and their habitats. Today we will be focusing more on the Ecology of the local area. We are guaranteed another day of exciting learning and marvelous discovery.
Cost: €40
Summer Solstice Celebration with Colette Baynes
Fri 17th June 2011 - 7.30pm to 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: €20
Fri 17th June 2011 - 7.30pm to 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: €20
Preserving and Storing Your Produce with Renée Strauss
Sat 25th June 2011 - 10am to2pm
This is day 2 of Renée's workshop on preserving and storing fresh produce. She will cover freezing, drying and other methods. Demo, sampling and something to bring home!
Cost: €30
Sat 25th June 2011 - 10am to2pm
This is day 2 of Renée's workshop on preserving and storing fresh produce. She will cover freezing, drying and other methods. Demo, sampling and something to bring home!
Cost: €30
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.
