Category Archives: Leitrim

This Could Change the World!

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Filed under Bealtaine Cottage, Current Affairs, E.U., Growing Food, Inspiration, Ireland, Leitrim, Permaculture, Seed-Saving, Seeds, Trees, Woodland

September 2011 Permaculture Cottage 002Real Crisis in the Economy, Economic Forecasts, Economic Recovery, …the list of headlines, news and political in-fighting over the economy seems endless.

september 2011 bealtaine cottage 012However, the figures that are collected year on year, collated and spun out to us all, regarding the state of our country’s economy, are referred to as GDP or Gross Domestic Product.

September 2011 Permaculture Cottage 009GDP is the market value of all officially recognized final goods and services produced within a country in a year.

September 2011 Permaculture Cottage 016This includes trees. 

Dead trees.

Only dead trees!

Trees that have been cut down and transported out of the country, or sold.

September 2011 Permaculture Cottage Bealtaine 005Now, imagine this…

May 2011 Bealtaine 005What if living trees were included in GDP?

May 2011 Bealtaine Cottage 039For, after all, a tree is of more value to us all, alive than dead! 

September 2011 Permaculture Cottage 008A tree is worth $193,250…

According to Professor T.M.Das of the University of Calcutta. A tree living for 50 years will generate $31,250 worth of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, control soil erosion and increase soil fertility to the tune of $31,250, recycle $37,500 worth of water and provide a home for animals worth $31,250. This figure does not include the value of fruits, lumber or beauty derived from trees. Just another sensible reason to take care of our forests.

From Update Forestry Michigan State University

cropped-november-2011-018.jpgGDP is one the primary indicators used to gauge the health of a country’s economy.

It represents the total dollar value of all goods produced by that country…

November 2011 018But, surely, the health of an economy is as much predicated on the health of it’s people, land, air and soil, as it is on exported dollar goods?

May blossom at Bealtaine CottageCan you begin to imagine how the inclusion of all living trees could change how we regard economic health, wealth, growth and progress?

May 2011 Bealtaine Cottage 018This small step could change the world!

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You can place an order for seeds harvested here at Bealtaine cottage, from the plants seen growing here…all strong and vigorous. Click on the link below that will take you to the selection available:

https://bealtainecottage.com/seeds-for-sale/

 

I’m happy to write, photograph, podcast, YouTube and Facebook on behalf of Mother Earth…it would be great if you could take a second or two to press the LIKE button, leave a comment, or even subscribe to Bealtaine Cottage Good Life…

https://bealtainecottage.com/bealtaine-cottage-good-life/

The Heart of the Matter

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Filed under Animals, Cats, Crafts, Dogs, Inspiration, Ireland, Leitrim, Lifestyle, Thoughts, Uncategorized

www.bealtainecottage.com 013

Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre is a wonderful place for any unwanted dog or cat to end up…because 97% of these poor, abandoned animals are re-homed!

Today I visited Christine Coulson, the lady whose dedicated commitment to the welfare of animals in this part of Ireland, made the sanctuary possible.

Chistine opened this light of hope for the unwanted and stray cats and dogs, back in 1997 and has worked continuously, for the protection and welfare of abandoned animals.

Back in September, I held an “Open Gardens” fundraiser for Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre and raised 610 euros…thanks to all the friends and supporters of Bealtaine Cottage, who came from all over Ireland and sent donations from all over the world!

Christine has been quite ill over these past few months and was only well enough recently for this presentation to take place.

I’m sure you’ll all raise a glass with me, in wishing this great woman, good health, now and in the future.

www.bealtainecottage.com 001Back in the cottage, I’ve been busy making cards.

www.bealtainecottage.com 004The theme of hearts is compelling for me…drawn towards the heart as a symbol, not just of love, but of compassion, hope and trust.

www.bealtainecottage.com 003Celtic designs are also a passion of mine…the intricacy of the knot-work fascinates and soothes.

www.bealtainecottage.com 006Hearts and cats…inseparable!

www.bealtainecottage.com 011And hearts and seeds, for the love of bees!

(I will be adding a little section to the top of the website especially for hand-made cards…X)

A Wonderful Donation!

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Filed under Animals, Dogs, Inspiration, Ireland, Leitrim, Permaculture

donation 003This arrived by special delivery this morning from a lovely lady who visited Bealtaine Cottage all the way from Austria.

Her name is Monika and her kindness for animals is abundant.

BimboMonika has a gorgeous little dog named Bimbo, seen here.

Monika has donated this £375 to the fund-raiser weekend total of 200 euros.

The grand total now stands around 600 euros!

Christine, who runs the sanctuary, is in hospital this morning having an operation…please be mindful of her and wish her a speedy recovery, for she does amazing work and is quite devoted to unwanted animals…97% are re-homed!

I have organized to visit Christine next week to hand over the entire donation.

Once again, bless you all for your kindness and generosity to this cause, so close to my heart. XXX 

Non-Profit Organization
Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre 0719648300 leitrimawt@eircom.net

 

As the Sun Sets on Bealtaine

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Filed under Animals, Bealtaine Cottage, Garden, Gardens, Inspiration, Leitrim, Lifestyle, Organic Garden, Permaculture, Thoughts, Uncategorized

sunset at bealtaine CottageThe Open Permaculture Gardens Weekend has been a great success.

Open weekendVisitors have come and walked the gardens, shared the spirit of this little home and talked with others, gathered around the ancient and rather rickety table in this small kitchen.

bealtaine cottage sunsetPeople, from all walks of life, have shown tremendous generosity, in donating to the Leitrim Animal Welfare Sanctuary.

sunset at bealtaine cottageThere is a fantastic 200 Euros to bring to the Sanctuary on Tuesday!

open weekend bunting by the gateDespite the wet weather, great spirited followers of this blog travelled from all over Ireland, to spend time together in the gardens of Bealtaine Cottage.

open weekend sunsetMany expressed deep emotion to be here, in what has evolved as a sanctuary for Mother Nature.

front door of bealtaine cottageAfter hours of walking the gardens and sharing stories, tea, cake and soup, visitors left  with plants, books, cuttings and ideas, filled with a determination to create their own Eden!

bealtaine cottage pondThank you to Jane Forrester, of Bandon Pottery, who travelled the 10 hour round trip from West Cork,

Sean and Roisin Mc Cluskey from Donegal,

Paddy kelly,

Isabel Huroczlie,

Claudia Kohler,

Paul Browne,

Patricia Wallace from Dunboyne

Joe Morrissey from Dunboyne

Sandra MacLiammon from Cavan

John Murray from Navan

John McAdam from Slane

Peter and Caroline

Nathan and Janet

Iris Weber

Dermot Henry

Sinead Jackson

Una Parsons and Gerry Hunt

sunset at bealtaineWhat a wonderful, wonderful gathering of people under the eaves of Bealtaine Cottage!

celtic cross in the sunsetYour wonderful energy resonates here this evening…thank you one and all!

Come Visit the Permaculture Gardens this weekend!

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Filed under Bealtaine Cottage, Books, Cottage, Country Living, Edible Gardens, Garden, Gardens, Inspiration, Leitrim, Permaculture, Seeds

misty morning at Bealtaine CottageThe Open Weekend at Bealtaine Cottage approaches…

yes…

It’s this weekend everyone!

cropped-0271.jpgYou have a special invitation to come and spend as long as you like on either Saturday or Sunday, this weekend, exploring the gardens, asking questions, looking inside the cottage and just having a lovely time in the permaculture gardens here at Bealtaine Cottage…and…it’s all for charity!

In the Fairy Wood below Bealtaine CottageI am posting directions at the end of this blog, so you will find Bealtaine Cottage quite easy!

Back door at Bealtaine CottageCarole from Whispering Pines in the U.S. has already donated the entrance fee, of 10euros, despite the fact that America is a long way off! Stone planter at Bealtaine CottageCarole at  http://whisperingpinesfiberandherbfarm.com/   writes a lovely blog every day all about her homestead and lovely animals…I often pop by!  

Missy todayHopefully there will be at least 100 euros to donate to The Leitrim Animal Sanctuary by the close of the weekend!

missyYour 10 euro donation includes tea and lashings of cake, home made soup with home made bread and staying all day if you wish! JackHow’s that for value…and you will be helping animals in distress!

rocket stove in the permaculture gardenThere will be lots of tea, fresh coffee and home made cakes!

The Lodge at Bealtaine Cottage June 2013If it’s wet, don’t fret…with two covered verandas and a cosy cottage, there will be lots of dry space to enjoy your morning or afternoon tea!

Stop for a coffee at Bealtaine CottageI am selling a lot of my gardening books too…some great books!

There is lots to see and many secret paths to explore…so come along to the Permaculture Gardens at Bealtaine Cottage this weekend..

Directions to Bealtaine Cottage…

From Ballyfarnon travel on the R284 to Keadue for approx 4km. In Keadue turn right at the top of Village, signposted Leitrim Village. Travel for approx 2km and take right (L 15036) and house is third on the left.
 
From Carrick on Shannon, travel on the R284 to Leitrim Village, approx 5km. In Leitrim Village go over bridge and take left road signposted Keadue. Travel for approx 6km and take left (L 15036) and house is third on the left.

Distance from:
 
Keadue 2km
Boyle 12km
Carrick on Shannon 11km
Sligo 35km
Dublin 160km

Time to Reconnect with Gaia

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Filed under Autumn, Country Living, Gaia, Garden, Inspiration, Leitrim, Organic Garden, Permaculture, Spirituality, Sustainable Living

willow arch and CheThis has been a great year for trees…amazing growth!

Willow, pollarded and coppiced has made good growth too!

Crocosmia Montbretia in the rainThe morning has been wet, but very still and autumnal.

Crocosmia Montbretia is struggling to climb out from underneath the lush leaf growth. bealtaine cottage permaculture gardensBoth Che Mousey-Bear and Sammy-Bear have walked the gardens with me, despite the rain and the wet conditions.

Strange little fellows!

The branches I chopped earlier in the summer are almost ready to be stacked in wig-wam shape to dry out.

bealtaine cottage permacultureYou can see from this photograph just how near the bedrock is to the surface of the land…I garden on very thin, poor soil on a north-facing slope!

bealtaine cottage permaculture gardensEverything is grown from seed, so has a fighting chance of making it, despite the far from perfect conditions.

jewelled cobweb at BealtaineMother Nature has worked miracles here at Bealtaine Cottage!

cobwebs at bealtaine cottageThe rain has clung to cobwebs all over the gardens…

jewelled web at bealtaine cottageOne web dangles with raindrops…

new orchard at bealtaine cottageThe new orchard is making good progress. I am keeping the ground well mulched as the trees, bushes and flowers find their feet!

bealtaine standing stone poster

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Now working towards installing solar and wind power, your donation is  much appreciated.

Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage

Towards Lughnasa and an Open Weekend!

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Filed under Animals, Cats, celebrations, Celtic Mythology, Celts, Culture, Dublin, Fairies, Folklore, Ireland, Leitrim, Lughnasa, Permaculture, Tea, Thoughts, Woodland

Stone planter at Bealtaine CottageThe festival of Lughnasa honours the Celtic god Lugh of the Tuatha de Danann.

Barn and Potager at Bealtaine CottageLugh was the  god of arts and crafts among Celtic tribes and Lughnasa sat high in the Calendar of festivals.

Polytunnel this morning at Bealtaine Cottage with Che Mousy Bear strolling through!Lughnasa ushered in the harvest season.

Che Mousy Bear rolls over in the tunnel this morning at Bealtaine CottageLughnasa was a celebration of, and for, the Divine, for a successful harvest.

Cats in the shade at bealtaine cottageThis ancient festival marks the first day of autumn in the Celtic Calendar, and thus the start of the harvest season.

The Fairy Wood at Bealtaine CottageIn Britain Lughnasa is known as Lammas, from the Anglo-Saxon hlaef-mass meaning ‘loaf-mass’.

Wild Hypericum in the Fairy Wood at Bealtaine CottageHere in Ireland the nearest Sunday to Lughnasa was known as Cally Sunday, the traditional day to lift the first new potatoes.

Astrantia by the Fairy Wood at Bealtaine Cottage this morningThe man of the house would dig the first stalk, while the woman of the house would don a new white apron and cook them.

Nettle seed forming at Bealtaine CottageThe floor would be spread  with fresh, green rushes in their honour.

Wild roses and Valerian at Bealtaine CottageLughnasa was celebrated on the hills and mountains as well as the valleys.

Valerian in abundance around the cottage this morningClimbing a hill or mountain and celebrating with lighting a bonfire was, and remains, a tradition.

Valerian this morning around the cottageIn addition to climbing hills, Lughnasa was also a time for visiting holy wells.

Front of cottage and porch surrounded with Valerian this morning.Lughnasa falls on August the 1st and the evening before is usually when the celebrations begin…

Che Mousy Bear today at BealtaineI am hosting an “Open Weekend,” for anyone who wishes to visit the Permaculture gardens of Bealtaine Cottage.

Bealtaine Cottage this morningThis will be over the weekend of the 7th and 8th of September and in aid of The Leitrim Animal Welfare Shelter, so there will be charge of ten euros per adult…and will include tea and home made cakes!

Bealtaine CottageThis wonderful animal sanctuary is where I have adopted two dogs from, including Jack!

Bealtaine Cottage this morning.If you would like to visit Bealtaine Cottage on this special open weekend, please let me know in advance, so I can make arrangements for cakes, teas and coffees to be available!

This is a link to a short film made by RTE TV all about this wonderful animal sanctuary!

Hopefully we can raise much needed funds for this cause so close to my heart!

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Thanks to the following lovely people who have donated to the Leitrim Animal Sanctuary…

Carole (wspines) from Whispering Pines Farm

Vivien Cruickshank

Save Our Planet Awards

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Filed under Bealtaine Cottage, Current Affairs, Inspiration, Ireland, Leitrim, Organic Garden, Permaculture

I am delighted to report that I’ve been nominated for the SAVE OUR PLANET AWARDS 2013!

This is organized within the North West of Ireland.

Bealtaine Cottage has been nominated in the Organic Agriculture section, which is now open for voting…perhaps you would like to vote for me…that would be great!

 Here’s the link…

Colette O’Neill

An Awards Event to Recognise and Acknowledge the Extraordinary

Transformation Permaculture

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Filed under Animals, Cottage, Country Living, Eco-Living, Garden, hens, Inspiration, Leitrim, Organic Garden, Permaculture, Smallholding, Sustainable Living

Bealtaine Cottage PermaculturePermaculture is about creating a beautiful space that feels like paradise.

Bealtaine Cottage permacultureIt’s about taking better care of oneself and the planet.

Bealtaine Cottage permaculturePermaculture design can be applied in the city just as easily as the country.

Bealtaine Cottage permacultureReal permaculture is about taking care of ourselves in a way that is in relation to the planet.

Bealtaine Cottage permacultureThe notion of paradise is one that has been sold to us as only attainable after death.

Bealtaine Cottage permacultureStrange really…as this earth is the paradise we have been waiting for! Bealtaine Cottage permaculturePermaculture is a path towards more meaningful living, where all aspects of one’s life are connected.

Bealtaine Cottage wine makingPermaculture design is focused on skills, rather than the money to buy whatever it is one needs, or is told one has to have!

Bealtaine Cottage veranda and courtyardThe way we design and build our homes, often excludes the way in which we live our lives.

Bealtaine Cottage verandaFor example, here in Ireland we have an excess of rain, so a covered veranda makes good sense.

Hens at Bealtaine Cottage Jan 2012Of all the new houses I have seen constructed, not one has a veranda. Bealtaine Cottage Permaculture Permaculture is about re-connecting…with everything that makes up our lives.

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