It is difficult to comprehend, without seeing this photograph, that what is now a lush, abundant paradise, was once a barren monoculture, devoid of wildlife, birdsong and no biodiversity to speak of…
This was Bealtaine Cottage Permaculture Smallholding on day one of the transformation, only made possible by applying permaculture principles and design.
What you are looking at is the view of the land from the cottage itself.
The transformation has been carried out single-handedly, by myself, aided only by planting, mulching and manuring, again carried out by hand over the course of eight years.
Today I decided to visit the well which feeds water to the cottage. The landscape of the hill behind the cottage remains unchanged, so you can see for yourself how inhospitable the cottage and land first looked…
Click on the link below to watch…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzjOMUpRTQU&list=UUHkXJ9wsrdPEpzb-KMgmt-A&index=1&feature=plcp
That looks like the ‘mountain’ as we like to call it just outside Strokestown!….x
Hello! My name is Monarch Michelle Fite and my husband Barak and I are considering moving to Ireland and helping a friends dad on his farm. He is getting up in age and could use a hand…and we could use a change too. We have a small permaculture urban farm in America…and we seek a simpler life, off the grid and self sufficient. I love your blog! I would love to chat more with you about…well everything you blog about! 🙂 Thanks!
Welcome to Bealtaine Cottage, Michelle.
Colx