Weekend on the Mountain - in Association with CELT

IMPORTANT: Please note change of date!

Come camp with us for a weekend while taking your choice from courses in environmental and ecological trades for all levels. If you already have basic skills in one of these areas, you are welcome to develop your skills further with the guidance of highly qualified tutors. Courses are open to age 14+.

The way this weekend works is that you enrol in one class, but are welcome to stroll around and have a look at the other classes that are running.

Dry Stone Walling
Traditional dry-stone walling construction techniques - also garden features (retaining walls, raised beds, seats, steps). Steel-toe-cap boots are recommended. We will be working on a wall within Carraig Dulra's herb wheel or a proposed mini amphitheatre

Herb-lore
Plant Magic- Exploration of our native wild and garden plants includes edible and medicinal uses, folklore, gardening tips, herb walk, seasonal recipes, herbal tincture and ointment making.

Native trees and intro to Coppice Crafts
An introduction to our native trees and shrubs, how to survey a woodland and how to draw up a management plan.

Greenwood Furniture making
Constructing interesting and unique furniture items from native green hardwoods selected for the properties of the species as well as for the natural shapes and grains of the wood. Hand tools and traditional techniques are used throughout. Each student makes a simple object e.g. a wooden mallet as an introduction to the craft, before moving on to construct an item of furniture. Everything you need is provided but you might like to bring your own pencil, pocket knife, and hand-saw if you have them. We are open to new ideas so if you have a specific project in mind please contact us well in advance; we will accommodate you if viable.
Materials charge 20 euro.

Sugan Chair making
Using green wood and sisal to make your own small traditional sugan chair.
Materials charge 5 euro.

Felt making
Learn to make brightly coloured felt mats, hats and bags from sheeps' fleece. Please bring wellies, waterproof leggings, a towel and a cushion. Materials charge 15 euro.

We attended a great CELT weekend two years ago ourselves, and so we are very pleased to be working with them to hold this training weekend at Carraig Dulra. For those who haven't attended a CELT event in the past, this is a chance to try out some of these traditional skills at an east coast venue.

Tea, coffee and food available (additional cost) or bring your own. Camping free, or stay in a local B&B/hotel/hostel if you prefer.

For more information please contact us. For booking, go to the booking page.

This event has received support from the Heritage Council under the 2008 Grant Scheme