Colette O'Neill… Author, Publisher, photographer. Creator of Goddess Permaculture.
Most of the energy we use at home comes from burning fossil fuels. Using less energy means burning fewer fossil fuels and putting less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Over the past twelve years I have endeavoured to reduce not just my own carbon footprint, but that of Bealtaine Cottage and gardens. When first planting […]
Read MoreGardens in Spring are one of Nature’s great delights. Here at Bealtaine Cottage the back door remains open and the sun streams in. My grandson, Dylan sips tea, whilst nearby, Charlie sleeps on the rocking chair. It is days like these that are idyllic to recall, as the days of Spring and Summer stretch out […]
Read More“Right now over 70% of the world population is convinced that something serious has to be done about the dangers facing the planet. …Most of humanity wants to know how to make the change. It’s one of those tipping-point times where things can change unbelievably fast…” ~ Paul H. Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson, The […]
Read MoreBartering home made wine for time spent fixing my computer is fantastic and affordable…this afternoon was spent in the company of two friends, who did great work for me, in return for some giggle tonic; what happens when you drink this potent Blackcurrant wine. Jack has just returned with me from his early evening walk. […]
Read MoreSunday afternoon…picking flowers in the gardens. This feels like the full, quiet days before giving birth… The force of the full moon can still be felt in the stillness of the late afternoon air. There is an otherworldly feel to it all… Time appears to stand very still. Bees continue in a frenzy of work […]
Read MoreThis is the tenth anniversary of Bealtaine Cottage Permaculture Smallholding. It’s hard to believe that ten years ago this was a desolate cottage on three acres of the poorest agriculture land imaginable. Wet, north-facing, thin, dauby soil promised little in the way of growing. It was a challenge few in their right minds would have contemplated, […]
Read MoreMaking a decision is always the most difficult part of moving forward. In deciding, one simply puts it out there, for the Universe to pick up. That is what I have done here at Bealtaine Cottage…the next move comes from that energy. The sale may, or may not happen…but the planting of trees will move […]
Read MoreThe naked earth is warm with Spring,And with green grass and bursting treesLeans to the sun’s kiss glorying,And quivers in the sunny breeze.~Julian Grenfell …except, in Permaculture gardens, little is naked, most is covered, yet the earth beneath the green mantle warms just the same. April has set Spring firmly in place, with early sunrise […]
Read MoreThis is not colour enhanced, but the vivid colours between storms here in the west of Ireland! The buds are still thickening, yet the life is visible in the stems, sky and emerging green…isn’t it simply wonderful to be able to witness the Spring as it progresses, slowly, tentatively through the landscape? This is the […]
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