by Steve Byrne | Jun 3, 2017 | off grid
Having put the rainwater harvesting in, we were left with a 4″ pipe running across the concrete outside the cottage, not ideal. It was always our aim to pull up all the concrete slab in front of the house and incorporate the area in to the garden – our permaculture Zone 0 through which we constantly come and go. On reflection though, we need some parking space for visitors, and so decided to pull up just the area beyond our front door, which is the bit we come and go through anyway.
by Steve Byrne | Jun 1, 2017 | events
This course is designed for those with none or limited bushcraft knowledge but who are interested in the subject.Topics covered will include: Learn how to make a fire using simple and reliable methods; Find out more about foraging and how we can use the plants and trees around us; Safe tool use, including knife work, will be explained and practised
by Steve Byrne | May 28, 2017 | water
We really enjoyed the recent permaculture weekend course, and one of the exercises we regularly do is to ask participants to look at our site and see if they can come up with suggestions or improvements. We got several great ones this time around and so set about acting on them. The first was the observation that the area around the pond was being wasted
by Steve Byrne | Apr 26, 2017 | self-catering
This week we did a bit of filming for a segment on the BBC programme ‘Escape to the Country’, telling Ruth and Stuart about our smallholding as they look for property in Northern Ireland. It was good fun, and an opportunity to show off Birch Cottage, but it’ll be 9 months before the programme airs. Tell us is you see it, as we don’t have a TV….
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.
