Summer song

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
--Lou Holtz

Bloom - Thursday 3 June - Monday 7 June

Bloom is Ireland's largest garden festival, held this year in the Phoenix park, from this Thursday 3 June through Monday 7 June.  Suzie along with Wendy Nairn has developed their demonstration school garden this year, and we encourage you to come visit Suzie and Wendy in the Bord Bia School Garden.  We have a discount code for buying tickets online, and a limited number of two-for-one vouchers for buying tickets at the gate (available at the OOOOBY Store).

Suzie & Mike will also be giving talks in the GIY display area during the festival.

Willow artist Lusi Elliot & her fiance Gary also have a presence at Bloom, in the School Garden and in two other areas.  More information about their work is on their willow website

Garden Complete - Wednesday 16 June

This month's course is on herbs and propagation, and filling the hungry gap.  Cost €90 (includes organic lunch), booking through The Organic Centre.

Gardening group - Saturday 19 June

The next meeting of the free GIY (Grow It Yourself) gardening group is on Saturday 19 june from 1-2pm at the OOOOBY Store.  All are welcome, any level of experience and no prebooking is required.

Potluck Picnic - Sunday 4th of July

This year we are celebrating American Independence Day with a Potluck Picnic at Carraig Dúlra organic farm on the 4th of July from 12-3pm.

Whether you have an American connection or just want to enjoy the afternoon in nature, come and walk through the gardens, explore the herb labrynth or amphitheatre, see the drystone wall feature & heritage apple orchards, meet the pigs, hike "bone mountain" or explore the forestry. 

Mike's from New York, so this is inspired by him.  In America, a "Potluck" is where each guest brings along part of the meal, so please bring something to share:  a main course, salad, dessert, etc., maybe prepare an old family recipe, and picnic with other families in the beautiful surroundings on the side of Carrick mountain.

Remember to wear suitable clothing and footwear, and bring a rug along with your picnic.  Some snacks & tea & coffee will be available on the day.

There is no charge for this event.  However, voluntary donations are very welcome as they help us cover costs.  Carraig Dúlra is run on a non-profit basis.

Bushcraft - Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 August

Learn skills such as friction fire-lighting, tracking, shelter building and awareness. We will be making some necessary survivial items such as bowls, spoons and cord.  This course can be taken as a one day or full weekend course; the second day will continue on from the first, giving you a broader and deeper bushcraft experience.

The cost is €95 for the Saturday or €180 for the weekend, which includes food & camping at Carraig Dúlra organic farm.

More details on the website: http://www.dulra.org/bushcraft

What's in the OOOOBY Today

Here's some of the in-season local items now available in the OOOOBY Store

Herbs: 2 types of basil, thyme

Veg seedlings: calabrese, tomato, tomatillo, pimento, lettuce, leek

Flowers: corn cockle, belle of ireland, morning glory, mullein, nigella damscena

also Local Organic Eggs

Piglets at the farm

We are pleased to welcome new residents at the farm, 8 happy piglets.  They have gotten "stuck in" to their work, which is to turn over and manure areas of the farm, in preparation for creating new vegetable beds.

New Carraig Dúlra Brochure

Our new brochure is now out, with lots of photos of events at the farm & store, and is available at the OOOOBY Store and will also be distributed at Bloom at the GIY and School Garden displays.  If you have a place where you can display or distribute this, please contact us and we'll get some copies out to you.

A huge thanks to David Kerridge of Brave Design for an amazing design job, for being patient with Mike's constant changes, and for so generously donating his time.

Hope to see you on the land soon!

Mike & Suzie Cahn
www.dulra.org - info@dulra.org - 0404 69570