Sustainable living in full sunshine as the Indian Summer continues in the West of Ireland. The back door remains open and the rain barrels stand empty. This has been the driest September I have recorded in the ten years spent here at Bealtaine Cottage. There is something afoot in the climate…it has changed into a series of extreme weather events. And so we must adapt as best we can, for there is nothing being done by governments here in the west. It’s all talk and taxes! The majority of people I have spoken with are concerned, but not to the…
Tag: wood-burning stove
Permaculture Place to Stay in Ireland
Bealtaine Cottage is a Permaculture Smallholding in the West of Ireland that has been developed from barren land over the past ten years. As a way of spreading the permaculture message of hope and regeneration, the gardens and cottage have remained open to visitors from all over the world during this time. Many visitors have spoken of their wish to be able to stay at Bealtaine Cottage and have invariably had to seek accommodation at local B&B homes. This is the Lodge, dedicated for anyone who wishes to stay and spend more time than just a visit to Bealtaine Cottage….
A Fireside Chat
There is much talk about energy and the best way to keep warm. Last night I arrived back from visiting my mother in Omagh, to a cold cottage. After walking Jack and feeding the boys, I set about lighting the stove in the Lodge. Within ten minutes the Lodge was warm and cosy. I could take off my coat and think about a pot of tea! This has got to be the most efficient, and gentle on the planet way, to warm a home, especially using wood from nearby…in my case the land around the cottage. Why even setting a…
A Weekend of Sustainable Living…
Many people are trying to make the transition into a more sustainable way of living. Permaculture, growing food, making wine, spinning… are all facets of sustainable living that interest many people, as the economy continues to dwindle. Visitors to this blog and the Bealtaine Cottage YouTube channel continue to grow at an amazing rate…sparking an interest in what sustainable living is all about. This is an opportunity to spend a full weekend at Bealtaine Cottage, immersed in sustainable living, experiencing first hand, a comfortable and permaculture lifestyle. The subjects covered in this weekend workshop will include wine-making, composting, soft fruit…
An Irish Homesteader.
The wind turbines on Kilronan Mountain stand out against the dark blue stormy sky. Anticipating a cold evening I have chopped lots of wood for the sitting room stove for tonight! I have worked out a new site for a big, big compost area, now edged with willow. I figured that the willow would take up all the extra nitrogen around the edges and provide yet more harvest-able supplies for basketry! It is always a challenge to work out better ways of doing things…I’m hoping that this will be very productive! ***************************************** Coppicing some of the ash trees on the land will…
Permaculture Cottage ~ A Summer Feast on a Wet Evening
Lots of Parsley and loads of eggs…yes, it’s summer and the food is in plentiful supply here on this Permaculture smallholding. An easy way of preserving food for the leaner times is to use it to cook and freeze, or bottle or…anyway, you know what I mean…just don’t let it go to waste! Here is one of my favourite fast foods, devised by Rose Elliot, my favourite Vegetarian Cookery writer…Parsley Burgers. I made these on the Cook and Dine Evening I hosted on Monday evening at Cleen Hall, Knockvicar, and, they were very well received! Anyway, here’s the recipe… ********************************…
