by Steve Byrne | Apr 21, 2017 | buildings, off grid
When I headed off to Tipperary to collect willow cuttings so that we might grow our own basket willow, Richard was kind enough to give me a trailer load of dry willow. The smaller stuff is all for baskets but I’d been wondering what to do with the heavy stuff. In a bid to protect the young hedge around the garden, Claire and I decided to make a woven fence, which then evolved as Claire suggested bending it over into hoops. The result is excellent, and blends into the garden without shading plants too much.
by Steve Byrne | Apr 17, 2017 | off grid
We’re always making things here at Lackan, and now Steve is making more baskets and willow things, we decided that it is time to make them available on the website. Many items are one offs, and once they are gone, they are gone, but they are all hand made here, from local materials (on site where possible), and always from sustainably produced materials, or in some cases, reclaimed items. Anyhow, we’ll be adding more items as we go, so the shop will change constantly, and hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised by some of the things that you can buy here.
by Steve Byrne | Apr 11, 2017 | renewable energy
I’m going on tour in September to teach a rocket mass heater workshop at our friend Claire Templar’s place Tir Na Nog in Mayo. Not many of these get built so its a rare opportunity to find out how and get hands on experience.
by Steve Byrne | Apr 11, 2017 | animals
This is Paddy, who is what you’d call a happy accident. When I saw him advertised on facebook, I really did not intend to end up giving him a home. Really. But I casually asked a couple of questions and heard no more. Then I get a message back a fortnight later, and the guy sounds desperate to rehome him, and next thing I’m bringing home a tiny three year old cob stallion, who turns out to be not quite two. Makes a change as they are usually older than people say, not younger.
by Steve Byrne | Apr 11, 2017 | green woodworking
Nearly mid April and we’ve already run three great courses – An introduction to green woodworking; make a rustic stool, and willow garden structures. The weather has been incredibly merciful – the willow course participants were practically overcome by heat. Along the way, new friends have been made, and some wonderful new items created as people disover talents they never knew they had.
by Steve Byrne | Apr 10, 2017 | courses
Whether you have a project already started, or are dreaming of your ideal plot, this course will help you turn your dreams into reality. A hands on course for all abilities and experience levels.
by Steve Byrne | Mar 29, 2017 | woodlands
Been so busy that I forgot to mention that I went hedge laying on possibly the wettest day of the century so far, back in February. It was a great group to work with, and I learned a lot. It was great to see the transformation and I can’t wait to take a look in the spring as the new growth emerges. Plus I am an accredited hedge layer now..
by Steve Byrne | Feb 24, 2017 | off grid
It is now five years since we first saw the land here at Lackan, and looking back it is amazing how much has happened here, and how much our lives have been shaped by the land almost as much as we have shaped the place itself.
by Steve Byrne | Feb 24, 2017 | self-catering
It has been six months now since we started offering people the opportunity to stay in Birch Eco Cottage, and not only has the response been amazing, we’ve met some wonderful people.
by Steve Byrne | Feb 24, 2017 | media
Last year we were approached by a couple of production companies about appearing in TV programmes, and we said yes where they were factual. The first was one about homes in Britain and Northern Ireland, so we spent half a day with a camera crew and played host to Gloria Hunniford
by Steve Byrne | Feb 19, 2017 | crafts
It was when we began putting on willow basket making courses that I realised I had the basket making bug, and so it was only a matter of time before my mind turned to creating a source of willow. It turns out that there are many, many varieties of basket willow and the range of colours is wonderful.
by Steve Byrne | Feb 19, 2017 | animals
This week we went off to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, to their annual Horse Ploughing and country skills day. Apart from anything else it was a good chance to go and have a look at everyone’s harness, as it turns out that literally every single set seems to be different in some way, and we fancied seeing how ours compared.
