by Steve Byrne | Nov 23, 2018 | green tourism
Green Tourism, Eco Tourism, Ethical Tourism – all these are increasingly popular terms, as awareness of the need for more environmentally aware accommodation and travel is gradually making its way into the mainstream. Of course, the availability of cheap air travel, and our love of fossil fuel powered transport in general have contributed significantly to the position we now find ourselves in. One where climate change is poised to reach a tipping point from which there is little chance of recovery. Despite this,it is vital to encourage as many people as possible to make changes to their behaviour, and green tourism has its part to play.
by Steve Byrne | Nov 23, 2018 | off grid, water
Here in Northern Ireland we are fortunate to have a water supply that is generally reliable and clean. Our own water isn’t fluoridated, but it has been chlorinated to some extent, to kill bacteria, and it is reliant on the national grid to keep pumps (and thus...
by Steve Byrne | Nov 23, 2018 | off grid, permaculture
We’re really pleased to have become the first Permaculture LAND centre in Northern Ireland. The LAND (Learning And Network Demonstration) network was set up by Permaculture UK to certify projects that demonstrate permaculture. Scotland and Wales have set up their own networks. Permaculture Ireland encompasses all of the island of Ireland but as we have no formal organisation, the folk at Permaculture UK are working with us, by allowing the use of their application criteria.
by Steve Byrne | Nov 23, 2018 | green tourism
This Christmas, why not give someone the gift of a stay at our Four Star cottage Birch Eco Cottage or the Off Grid Horse Box. Our accommodation vouchers are available in £25, £50, £75 and £100, and can be redeemed against any stay in our accommodation in 2018 or 2019.
by Steve Byrne | Nov 7, 2018 | food, self sufficiency
So far this year we’ve made wine from elderflowers, gorse, blackcurrants, redcurrants, raspberries, and rhubarb. Now that autumn is here, we have a new selection of crops from which to conjure wines. Although most of our peaches were made into jam, enough were...
by Steve Byrne | Nov 5, 2018 | buildings, natural building
October was a busy month at Lackan, tackling all the regular jobs that we’ve been putting off too long. The cottages have been limewashed, repairs made to flashings and everything made generally weatherproof. Three years after we bought the lime-hemp plaster,...
by Steve Byrne | Aug 7, 2018 | off grid
Although I’ve been involved with permaculture for nearly a decade now, and on site here at Lackan for six years, practising permaculture on a daily basis, I had never done my PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate). When I was offered the chance to do a PDC at Carraig Dulra in Wicklow, led by friends Suzie Cahn and Hannah Mole, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
by Steve Byrne | Aug 6, 2018 | community, the farm
Visitors to Birch Eco Cottage occasionally leave small items behind intentionally. Usually because they are travelling on and don’t have room in their luggage. We were surprised then, to find that newlyweds from Vermont, Marianne and Derreck had decided to...
by Steve Byrne | Jul 15, 2018 | green tourism, self-catering
We went off up the coast to Killough to a plant swap event this weekend, an on the way home discovered one of our favourite views ever of the Mournes. The A2 from Killough to Clough is surely one of the most picturesque routes we’ve been on and is definitely a trip we’d recommend to visitors, especially if they are visiting Castle Ward
by Steve Byrne | Jul 15, 2018 | permaculture
It is always fascinating to take a look at the farm from a different viewpoint, and this drone footage does that perfectly. In the middle of one of the driest periods on record, our forest gardens and woodland are holding up really well, in contrast to the pasture around them. Thanks to Danny for filming for us – we’re planning our next phase of forest garden, and being able to see the land from the air is invaluable.
by Steve Byrne | Jul 5, 2018 | permaculture
We made a short film about the farm which gives a flavour of the place. There was so much we wanted to include but it’d get long so they’ll be in another. Enjoy 🙂 If there is some aspect of what we do here that you’d like to hear more about, let us know and we’ll come up with something.
by Steve Byrne | Jun 30, 2018 | crafts
At Birch Cottage we believe that in an age of mass production, beautiful locally made craft items with a story to tell make our place truly magical. Here is our dragon fire poker, made at the forge in the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum. Isn’t it fine? You’ll find that most of the items in the cottage are one of a kind, and we’re always happy to tell visitors all about them.
