Colette O'Neill… Author, Publisher, photographer. Creator of Goddess Permaculture.
Bees are declining all over the world, for multiple reasons. The most serious one in my estimation is habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation…in other words… Homelessness! This is not a problem at Bealtaine Cottage, as Bee habitat and food source creation was implemented in the early years of the Bealtaine project. As a direct consequence […]
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From monoculture rushy land to woodland in under twelve years. Not just any woodland, but a food forest woodland, as you can see from one of the thousand plus trees planted above…a Greengage! This is the only lawn here, enjoyed by Jack! There follows a series of forty plus photographs taken here at Bealtaine Cottage in July […]
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Ireland is the richest source of Celtic myths and legends. Down through the Ages, Ireland remained remote and cut off from mainland Europe, holding onto its rich folklore and spirituality. It’s peoples worshipped all aspects of the natural world in which they recognised the Divine, in much the same way as I do here at […]
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Being able to upload 31 photos is a real treat for me, and, I hope you will get a taste of Bealtaine Cottage today. I have snapped these minutes ago and come straight in to upload and write this blog…taking time en route to give Jack a cracker treat. As you can see he’s fully […]
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The leaves are just beginning to bud and appear. Bees are busy at work here in the gardens of Bealtaine Cottage…without them this would be a place of hunger. But, it’s not…instead it boasts food for all and more to come. This is what a food forest looks like as the sap rises and life […]
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Went for a walk down to the pond and made a video on the way, as the sun shone and the birds sang…what a beautiful day! The lower pond is filled with Frogspawn…almost heaving really…I’ve never seen so much! Just recalling how a mere twelve years ago there was nothing here by wet, rushy ground […]
Read MoreWinter edges away slowly, with lighter mornings and longer days. The Permaculture Gardens of Bealtaine Cottage have emerged this year into the Permaculture Woods. However, I’ve got to admit that I’ve been flagging recently! A combination of the time of year, family commitments and basically just trying too hard to do too much! The saying […]
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Being brought up, as a child in a terraced house without a garden, I have often wondered where my passion for Mother Earth, growing, gardening and the environment emerged from. I’m still thinking about that! What I wanted to share with you today encompasses an afternoon’s work here at Bealtaine Cottage. Well, this afternoon I […]
Read MoreLast year I planted a new orchard at Bealtaine Cottage. To date there are thirty eight fruit trees planted across the three acres of land here. This new orchard was planted on an area previously fenced off and used for hens over a period of years. This is always a good start, as the land […]
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