Northern Ireland Community Energy

Northern Ireland Community Energy

Well, it has been a busy old time, with all manner of works happening, both here on the farm and out in the world. Having left the world of making websites behind, I have made a little foray back into the business to produce a site for Northern Ireland Community...
Month of Mud

Month of Mud

Thanks to the amazing generosity of both our crowdfunding backers, and a small army of volunteers, we have made great progress with our classroom space over the winter, and now we are on the home stretch, with the aim of completing it this summer. The majority of the...
Green woodworking is proving popular

Green woodworking is proving popular

Places on the green woodworking courses are going fast – so fast that we are likely to put on a second ‘Introduction to Green Woodworking course’, to cater for the interest. There are just a couple of places left now on the ‘Make a stool from a...
Last few Green woodworking places left

Green woodworking courses

We are pleased to be able to offer two green woodworking courses, with Steve Ryan, of Green Woodwork Ireland. Steve is an incredibly talented green woodworker who teaches extensively, and is passionate about his craft. Come and join him here in the woods at Lackan...
Could spring really be on the way?

Could spring really be on the way?

Well, Imbolc is upon us, and Steph came to cut some rushes to make St.Brigit’s crosses with. Surely one of the older surviving traditions from the dawn of Christianity and beyond. One thing we aren’t short of is rushes, and it looks like we’ll get...
Enjoying the many benefits of winter sun

Enjoying the many benefits of winter sun

On a day like today when the wind is bitingly cold, but the skies are clear, and we enjoy some winter sunshine, it is great to be able to celebrate the fact that for once, everything is working, and we are able to take a moment to marvel at the fact that we have all...
Could you retire early?

Could you retire early?

  A friend recently introduced me to the excellent website of the strangely named Mr Money Mustache, and I have to say that despite my initial apprehension about it all being rather money driven, it is actually a very helpful and interesting blog. The gist of it...
Connecting it all together

Connecting it all together

Someone asked how we get the data about our power generation and usage to the side of our website. Well here is as concise an answer as I can manage. Here’s a schematic – Power comes from our PV Panel Arrays (shown top). The big array (centre) is wired as...
What to do in winter

What to do in winter

This is the time of year when despite our recent obsession with all things solar, we need to get outside and start to prepare for the year ahead.  All the the veg beds that don’t have anything in them need dressing with manure – both outside, and in the...
Energy – a learning curve

Energy – a learning curve

As we continue to grapple with our growing solar PV power station, we’re learning how to manage within our means, power wise (or not on occasion); and get it all running smoothly. Although we have batteries as a buffer, there are some things better done on a...
Sycamore no more

Sycamore no more

  Today was a day of mixed emotions, as we had to take down the big sycamore tree that stands over our stables. The recent high winds tore one side of the tree off, revealing really significant rot in the centre of the tree at its base. Often this isn’t a...