A filming day, and the garden makeover continues
There is definitely an increase in the whole idea of sustainable living, living off grid, permaculture, tiny homes – all the things that are part of the ‘how do we survive the next 20 or 30 years’ mix. On Wednesday it was the turn of Jon, filming for...
More seven year improvements
So having got the house to the point where it behaves itself – we have charged batteries, far more hot water, and considerably less chance of it raining inside the house, as well as not having lit the fire for some time now; we have finally been able to turn our...
The storm before the calm
I keep nearly writing posts, and it seems there is so much to put in that it never gets done, so its time for a good update and then we’ll keep up to date. There is certainly plenty going on, so here goes. It’s getting on for a decade since I began this...
GROW Citizen Soil Observatory
Building Better Soil Through Citizen Science Through Permaculture UK, we are excited to be a partner in the GROW Observatory, a European-wide project engaging thousands of growers as citizen scientists. We will learn together, using simple tools to better manage soil,...
Exploring the Mourne Coastal Route
Recently we welcomed the folks from Outsider.ie – Ireland’s Adventure Magazine to visit, and we’re really pleased to feature as part of this promotional video made in association with Discover Northern Ireland. The Mourne Coastal Route is undoubtedly...
Building and installing a ram pump
A little stream runs through the farm – actually its a drainage channel, cut into the rock to drain this part of the bog, well over a hundred years ago. The fields and woods drain into it, and it heads off through the countryside which is mostly level. As it...
Books – The self sufficient house
None of this energy saving, off grid stuff has appeared out of thin air. Back in 1980, Brenda and Robert Vale wrote ‘The self sufficient house’, which is still an incredibly useful resource and which is full of good practical information on improving the...
Affordable off-grid?
Yesterday I went on the radio to talk with a couple of other people about living off grid. Trouble is though you get a few minutes to talk and then its over without really getting to say what you wanted, unless you’re a trained media professional, which...
Congratulations to a happy couple
It is always wonderful when guests choose Birch Cottage to pop the question, and even more wonderful when they share the news with us. Gary proposed to Grainne this week, and they are now engaged to be married. Congratulations guys 🙂
Starting on a positive note
It’s only a few days into the new year and already it’s been a busy one. We’re heading into our seventh year here at Lackan, a lot of the physical heavy lifting of sorting buildings and structure is done. Over the last years we’ve welcomed a...
Pioneering Eco Tourism with Green Key
We’ve always been passionate about increasing awareness of the many environmental issues that face us all, and a major part of that is through our self catering accommodation here at Lackan. Visitors can see that is is possible to reduce their environmental impact and still live in a beautiful, comfortable space. As pioneers of ‘eco tourism’ in Northern Ireland, we’re always looking for ways to increase the profile of green living.