This is about one woman deciding to do something very dramatic and revolutionary in Ireland…taking three acres of wet, rushy, north-facing land and planting trees like her life depended on it…it does!
Bealtaine Cottage smallholding is in the west of Ireland.
In May 2004, this was a derelict cottage on a north facing slope of three acres of wet, rushy land.
My aim, living alone and without any workforce or helpers, was to create a self-sustaining smallholding designed and constructed on Permaculture Principles.
This has included planting over 1,000 deciduous trees including two large orchards, as well as many perennials and bushes.
This all supports the developing biodiversity here at Bealtaine Cottage.
Bealtaine Cottage has evolved into an Ark for Nature, with continuous planting and expanding biodiversity.
Transforming the cottage interior has meant, wherever possible, the use of re-cycled materials.
There is the recent installation of a compost toilet, put in place to ensure waste products are managed on site.
Growing organically produced food includes a continual, all-year round supply from a purpose-built polytunnel.
Potager beds are now in their second year and producing abundantly!
The land has transformed from monoculture to Eden.
There is a continual, substantial food surplus and this is channelled into the making of wines, jams, pickles, chutney, dried foods and plants.
This approach to living on the Earth, forms the basis of an integrated approach to living with the planet, rather than on the planet.
Spinning is one of my favourite crafts, spinning wool and using the surplus ‘shoddy,’ as a fertiliser and mulch for the land.
Crafting is an ongoing learning curve, necessity being the mother of invention, as proved here with the recycled floor.
Cold composting ensures a continual development of seed production!
Bealtaine Cottage and smallholding continues to be developed in keeping with Permaculture ethics.
The addition of a wood burning stove in the sitting room and a multi fuel stove in the kitchen, has given free hot water, cooking, baking and central heating from a fire fuelled mostly with wood harvested here.
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Now have a peek at the “before” pics…
https://bealtainecottage.com/before-permaculture/
Over the past 14 years of the Bealtaine Project, Colette has sought to encourage, help and inspire mindfulness for our beautiful world, photographing and writing several thousand blogs on the Bealtaine Cottage site, as well as almost 500 videos on YouTube…all free from advertising!
In 2017 Colette O’Neill became a published author and was granted ‘Artist’ status by the Irish government.
Link to Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/BealtaineCottage
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I would so like to read your blogs from oldest to newest. What’s easiest way to do this?
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There is a calendar on the site for your use.
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Thank you.
August 14, 2010 your first post?
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I posted many blogs on the Country Living Magazine website, but they pulled the entire site without notice and I lost everything! I started this website then.
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I am still finding my way around WebPress, etc.
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I found you while searching on YouTube for videos on permaculture. From the very first video, I became calmer and had hope. In addition, seeing Jack makes my heart sing (unless he gets too close to the road). I love Sammy Bear too of course and I think of Beauty often . I cannot express with words what you and your videos, website, and story have done for me. I was suicidal and now I have hope. Blessings and Peace, Colette.
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Blessings to you and may your heart be content. XXX Colette
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Thank you so very much, Colette.
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I don’t remember how I came across your site on Youtube but I am absolutely in love with your place and hope to do some planning & perming 😉 on my small city plot this spring. Can’t wait to get the book. Thx for the inspiration!
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Thank you Colette as always for sharing; as others have said your posts are not only informative and beautifully photographed but are also a tonic for the soul. X
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Bless you Megan XXX
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Dear Colette
Suddenly, after a long time of uncertainty and aimlessness, your website finds me, as I was looking on youtube for songs about circle of the year ceremonies. I was instantly hooked and am nearly crying now… it feels like coming home. Now I know, I have to return to the wheel of nature and start celebrating the cornerstones of the year again and life in all it’s specialties. Because it nurtures us on such a deep level. Thank you very much for your dedication towards life and nature. With love from Switzerland.
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I’m happy you have found Bealtaine Cottage…Blessings to you XXX Colette
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Hi Colette….I cannot find any other way to contact you. I went to your Patreon page and had it connect to my subscriptions. You did not show up ! Maybe thats why no patrons. Also on your youtube page on the ” down below ” …try to make the links for all the ways to connect and buy your book a blue link so that people with only phones can get there easily. I dont have a copy and paste option. Love your vids. Looking forward to the book. Live in Hawaii and love your paradise better !!! ❤ Jennifer
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My name on Paypal is :
coletteoneill2010@hotmail.com
Anyone wishing to donate or buy the book only has to leave a message with the donation and I will respond asap.
Thanks for the explanation ref Patreon. I don’t have a clue as to what I should do. As for the donate button on the website, I have tried fixing it by replacing, but to no avail. I will employ someone to try to remedy that at some point in the near future, as and when funds surface.
Blessings X Colette
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I am now one of your patrons at the $5 tier. Just getting back on my feet after pneumonia….and please dont fret about the human race because we didnt hit like on all your videos. Basically if we subscribed in the first place it means we like ALL your videos ! Not everyone of course. But you get it… You are a magnificent Earth Mother. ( Mother also meaning martyr)…. That was a hard lesson for me too. Happy Independence Day from here in the states….but really…this time of year we are all released of something to make us more independent. Pointing the angels in your direction ! Much ❤.
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Blessings your way for such a lovely comment! Living on my own it’s wonderful to hear from my other Earth Lovers! XXX Colette
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Hello Colette! Just finished listening and following you in your today’s video on you tube…I was wondering…why can’t we leave comments on your You tube videos? I would so much love to thank you for all these divine moments you are giving us! Thank you! They are moments of bliss in my days!
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Too many hate comments that I had to keep monitoring, as I spoke about in previous videos. Blessings X Colette
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I understand Colette! This is one of the reason I left FB…This media can be so full of positive moments but so many hate comments too…I understand! Thank you Colette!
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All the videos are posted on the FB page listed below the videos. You can comment there…
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Well…Thank you for answering my comment…I guess I won’t be able to comment then…because I left FB a couple of months ago…I was missing the time in my garden…So no more FB for me! Have a great day Colette!
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You can always drop a comment on here 🙂
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You can understand the time I devote to getting Bealtaine Cottage into the world…but, it’s worth it!
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And I won’t never be able to thank you enough! I really don’t know how you manage to do all this all by yourself! You must take your energy from Mother Earth!…that’s for sure! Love from Quebec!
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Bless you XXX
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Dear Colette, I am deeply touched by what you have created. I am curious if you offer
anything like an apprenticeship as it would be a blessing to learn with/from you.
I for one would consider it a tremendous gift and would love nothing more than that opportunity.
With deepest admiration
Berni
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I will be running a series of day workshops this year…dates to be announced later this month. These workshops will be centred around the land, with a focus on healing the earth, Goddess Permaculture and the connectivity we have been educated to forget. Blessings x Colette
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Oh, fantastic! I’ll keep an eye out for the dates.
Berni
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Hi Colette. I would also be interested in attending a workshop sometime. Not sure exactly where you are based, but i am currently in Belfast.
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Near Carrick on Shannon.
email me at coletteoneill2010@hotmail.com
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Good evening Collette!
I do enjoy your blogs, but I would love a way to start at the beginning and read straight through both blogs over time. So far I have not been able to figure out how to do so. Is this possible? If it isn’t currently possible, could you consider doing so?
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If you click on the calendar and work back that way…possibly?
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That kind of worked. How far back does blog actually go?
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2010…I think!
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Thank you so much for the information. I have a hobby of genealogy , but it does not go back as far as you are relating. Beale is also part of a clan in Scotland so has multiple Celtic origins.
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I grew up at the foot of Beltany Hill, Co. Donegal and although we don’t live there anymore we have called our house Bealtaine/Beltany. The stone circle at Beltany dates from 1400BC and the carved stone head found there dates from somewhere between 400BC and 400AD. Beal is the Celtic equivalent of Apollo the sun god and Bealtine comes for the fire of Beal/Baal which was lit on May 1st at the start of summer in honour of the Celtic sun god. The latter may be related to Baal (meaning “master”), the forbiddden name of God in the book of Hosea (2:16).
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I am fascinated by your cottage. Do you know where the name of it came from? My husband’s family was in Ireland for hundreds of years and founded a village named Mountmellick near Dublin with two other Quaker families.
Laurel Beale
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Bealtaine is the old Irish for May and it’s also the first day of Summer in the Celtic calendar.
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I love the harmony that you have created.Best wishes.
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Blessings XXX
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Dear Colette, I have just read today’s post on cottage journal, and I have found it extremely easy to use. No difficulties at all. I have so enjoyed all your posts and really enjoyed the daily postings. I hope it remains the same. Many many blessings upon you, your family, magical land, and wonderful animals.
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Thanks so much Lisa…that is heartening to hear! Blessings X Colette
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Wonderful! I just googled “follow your bliss” and up you came! You are truly an inspiration!
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Blessings XXX
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Hi Just stumbled onto this site and I am truly in awe of what you are doing. You are living the life that I want, I don’t get jealous but I think I’m close.
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I’ve jsut found this site randomly, and been amazed the first sight. I am sure will be back daily to keep reading and just look at the amazing pictures.
May I ask a bit personal question? After retiring from London, do you have a “normal job”, or you can just get by by the fruits/jams/etc you are producing yourself and selling?
I am curious because one day I just want to do the same-get away from city life, and be back to Nature. But nowadays, nothing works without money and a salary..:(
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We are travelling through Ireland at the end of April and was wondering if you allow visitors to the cottage?
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Hi Sven, This is my 12th year working on the Bealtaine Project and the first one in which I am closed to the public…sorry! Blessings x Colette
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Inspired and amazed, brilliant
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Thanks David and welcome 🙂
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Hi, I just found your site and I’m overjoyed!! You are living my dream!! I am so very inspired and can’t wait to read all of your blog. What you have done is truly amazing and the pictures you post are breathtaking. I am so very happy to have found you!
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You are very welcome indeed to Bealtaine Cottage…blessings XXX Colette
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This page is the find of my life. Although we are in Aus in a region with hot dry climate but wet and boggy in winter and many frosts, I am so inspired by your hard work. I can now stop looking for my dream property and be inspired by what you have done and try to do implement the same energy with our current property. Thank you Thank you..
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Imagine it, plant it, nurture and Mother Earth will do the rest…it’s been a long time since humankind nurtured her…
Blessings XXX
Colette
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I have already started nurturing but after 5 years I became uninspired as things seem to take so long and we started looking for an established property but after seeing Bealtaine, if my property (of 18 acres) looks anything like yours in 10 years I will be ready to just sit and enjoy and soak up mother nature and thank her. Cheers Jill.. p.s Thank you for inspiration and knowledge and sharing 🙂
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I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland & your place seems like heaven! Cheers!
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Truly inspiring, and so useful for those of us who live in Ireland and enjoy a similar climate, soil, and plants. Thank you very much and blessings from us here in West Cork.
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Thanks and Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage XXX Colette
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I plan to visit Ireland in September 2015 and would like to visit! Where, how, etc????
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Hi Anna! 🙂 Visitors are welcome to Bealtaine Cottage and are able to book a visit through the new website, Bealtaine Cottage Good Life, where detailed maps, phone number etc are to be found. Blessings X Colette
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Love your writings. Tapadh Leit. William Shaw of Easter Lair
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Blessings X
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Dear Colette,
my name is Melania I’d like to know your farm and help in the work period was need help .
truly yours
Melania
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Hi Melania, From the beginning I have always worked alone here at Bealtaine Cottage, but I thank you for your kind offer. X
Blessings Colette
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Wonderful! Exactly what I would like to do.
Do you still have paying guests?
Valerie
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Hi Valerie. Bealtaine Cottage is now closed to visitors and guests for the winter.
Blessings X
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What you’ve created is truly wonderful. Thank you for sharing your life work. ♥ Ann
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Thanks Ann X
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Happy Birthday Colette, may you continue to be an example to us all. I am sure that the new garden memorial to your parents will be yet another success!
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Thanks Peter X
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lovely to know another Goddess soul, I sometimes feel we are few, if ever you are in Clare, I would love to have you for tea and cake)0(
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That’s a wonderful offer…blessings XXX
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Your place is absolutely beautiful!
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Words are beyond me! It’s like a small piece of heaven, and inspiring to say the least! Well done. x
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I found your blog a few months ago and read it from start to finish.. and fell totally in love with Bealtaine Cottage and your posts. This is my first comment and I just wanted to say you are truly inspirational.. We grow our own fruit and veg as much as possible, keep chickens and bees and are in the process of turning our garden into a wildlife haven. I’m so glad I found your little piece of heaven.. thank you :o) xx
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I am very touched by your lovely words…thanks and blessings to you XXX
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Hello, I am truly moved and inspired by your wonderful life, it’s amazing. I would love to spend a night at Bealtaine Cottage and submerge myself in permaculture, which is completely new to me as of today! I have my friend Liz to thank for pointing me in your direction. What you’ve done is incredible, I absolutely salute you. Is it possible to contact you to arrange a visit?
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There is a link at the top of the website…click on that and it should take you through.
Blessings
Colette
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incredible, amazing, absolutely amazing all that you have managed to achieve!! in such a short space of time; I am gobsmacked, inspired and remain hopeful one day I will be able to accomplish something similar in our garden; thank you for showing me it’s possible
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Thanks Saskia! Blessings X
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Inspirational. I am really looking forward to foraging in your treasure trove of a site and following you and Bealtaine cottage on this ever changing journey.
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Blessings and welcome X
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