Carraig Dulra Courses (alphabetical by name)

If you've ever been interested in learning more about bees, or are thinking of keeping some hives yourself, this one day course will give you an insight into the life and work of bees and beekeepers through the seasons.

This course will introduce honeybee lifecycles and behaviour, history of beekeeping, equipment, feeding, diseases, harvesting and processing wax and honey. We will look at conventional approaches to beekeeping, as well as alternative "natural" beekeeping methods which may offer a solution to the health problems bees are currently facing worldwide.

We will not be working with live bees.

This course is administered by The Organic Centre, Leitrim. Please contact them directly to book

Coming at the end of the season, this one day course gives you the basics of food growing, and the confidence and knowledge to plan your garden next year.

Topics covered include winter soil care and autumn ground preparation, making and using compost & why it's so important, which vegetables and herbs to plant, how to plant, pricking out, rotation etc.  The style is informal, allowing you to ask questions during the day.

You will gain basic theory, find out how to get started and what vegetables and culinary herbs are good for beginners to try.

Participants may choose to progress to The Complete Organic Garden after this lighter experience.

The course starts in the glasshouse at the OOOOBY Store in Glenealy at 10am, and later we will carpool up to Carraig Dúlra organic farm.

To help introduce new people to food growing, we are offering this course at a special price of €75 (most of our day-courses are normally €85-95).  This includes a light organic vegetarian lunch.

This course will give you the basics of bushcraft and primitive technology. Anthonio will help you 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.

Starting time: 9am sharp Saturday; finishing time 3 or 4pm Sunday.  Participants are welcome to come and camp on the Friday night before at no additional cost (please bring your own food for the Friday).

Please bring a sharp knife (3-5 inch blade, non folding or lockable folding), rain gear, notebook and coloured pens, torch, leather gardening gloves, eating utensils, warm clothing, sleeping mat and sleeping bag & camping gear if you're camping with us. Also recommended is a pancho (for carrying leaves) & snack food/trail mix and a good sense of humour and fun!

If you require a knife, Anthonio can loan you one for the course (which you can optionally buy at the end of the weekend).

The cost includes food & camping at Carraig Dúlra organic farm.
Camping facilities are basic; there is a fire pit/BBQ, compost toilet and cold drinking water (no showers).

This course can be scheduled for private groups of at least 6 people.
We also offer an intensive week-long course in Primitive Living skills, Primitive Living 1

Go to our Booking Page for details on how to book this course now

We are pleased to offer children's music workshops at Carraig Dulra for the first time! 

Please note that depending on numbers and ages of the children participating, the content of the workshops may be adjusted. 

African Drumming Workshops
For teenagers (12-18). 2 hours. maximum number of children – 20

Children find drum circles a very enjoyable way of developing their innate musicality and sense of belonging. A drum circle is an occasion of community which also allows us to express our own individuality. When drumming we sit in a circle to play rhythm games, explore our own rhythms and learn African poly (multi) rhythms using a wide variety of percussion instruments. While helping us come together as a group the drum also enables us to develop our coordination, concentration and self esteem in a relaxed, enjoyable and supportive environment.

Sounds, instrument and improvisation Workshop
For under 12's. 2 hours. maximum number of children – 12

These workshops for younger children will explore the world of sound; the sounds of commonplace items and of found items as well as the sounds of instruments; those which we will make during the workshop and some others, usual and unusual, provided for exploration. We will find sounds that attract us, we will make instruments and tell stories bringing our environment and our imagination into our play. From before birth sound attracts our interest and holds our attention. Parents are welcome to join with younger children as we create and manipulate sound, tell stories and express our feelings in creative and imaginative ways.

This Saturday and every Saturday until Christmas, the non-profit OOOOBY Community Food Store will help you prepare for a cost conscious & conscientious Christmas, featuring locally-produced food & craft, fairtrade & eco gifts.  

There will be the usual sweet and savoury favourites, and some speciality gluten-free, wheat-free, egg-free and vegan items for sale; you can also place your holiday food orders.  

While you're having a taste or stocking up for your freezer, you can also pick up your CHRISTMAS TREE, get LOCAL AND FAIRTRADE CRAFTS, as well as the usual fresh local vegetables, eggs & ice cream.  

The Store, which is NON PROFIT, is located at the Glenealy Landscape Centre, Glenealy village.  Opening hours are Saturday 11:30-3:30 and Tue-Thu 10-5.  

For more information please  email info@dulra.org or ring (0404) 69570.

Please help by putting up or distributing our poster for this event!

About OOOOBY

OOOOBY ("Out Of Our Own Back Yard") is a new community food store in Glenealy village, Co Wicklow, featuring local produce, food growing supplies, ecological products, crafts and fairtrade.  The non-profit store supports the local full food circle from growing to buying to preparing food, through encouraging the creation of a community food network.  The Store's sales allow it to host local groups that meet regularly in the glasshouse space, including groups such as GIY Wicklow (Grow It Yourself), The Crafts Circle and a cooking group.  The Store is open Tue-Thu and Saturdays, and sells seasonal fresh vegetables and salads, local organic eggs, local ice cream, wholefoods, seedlings, gardening tools, potting compost, fairtrade, ecological cleaning products, recycled paper products, and local & fairtrade crafts.