We are organising a three-day national event - The All Island Permaculture Gathering - over the August bank holiday weekend- in Strokestown. This is an evolving annual event in its second year (last year it was held in Co. Wicklow). As it moves around the country each year we are very excited to be able to host here in Strokestown!

We expect many people from all over the country and particularly the North and mid west to join us and as we are all volunteers and it's a non profit event we have no advertising budget and we'd like to make sure more people know about it!

The weekend will be a mixture of practical and lifestyle workshops, skill and knowledge shares, networking, and celebration. It is open to anyone with an interest in Permaculture, (Permaculture is about the design of an ecologically sound way of living which tackles how to grow food, build houses and create communities which provide for human needs while co operating with nature and drawing inspiration from natural eco systems). It will be a fun weekend, an alcohol and drug free event, where we appreciate and learn from one another.

Some sessions we have lined up so far this year are Spinning/woolcraft, Rocket Stoves (and we'll be building some a few days before hand too), Foraging/Wild plants, A swap shop, Working horse, Farm walk, Alternative energy, People care, Composting, Meditation space, Agroforestry, Next steps for the Irish Permaculture Association, Networking opportunities, Foodie cooking things, natural building.... and we hope to expand that considerably over the next 2 weeks!! These are all offered by those attending in the spirit of shared learning and there will be no facilitator fees as it is a great learning opportunity for all.

Tickets for the weekend cover camping, facilities (compost toilets, drinking water, hostel style kitchen facilities) and all workshops. The full price of an adult ticket is 40 euro, children can come for free and there is also a concession option for those who cannot afford the full price.

We have a website www.permaculture.ie where we update our blog regularly and also post more information about the Gathering.