More Trees Now at Síolta Chroí, Carrickmacross on the 29th and 30th of November
On the 29th and 30th of November the Ecosystem Restoration Community, Síolta Chroí invites all to an introductory event of More Trees Now: an initiative to plant more indigenous trees through circular forestry.
Continue readingWHAT: A Four week Regenerative Agriculture Course
WHEN: Dates 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th November. Time 6:00 pm to 8:00pm
WHERE: Síolta Chroí, Aghnacloghan, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, A81 C998
CONTACT: Conan at 089 499 4571 or https://sioltachroi.ie/
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course we will explore how regenerative farming can be a key solution to the multiple challenges facing our local community – such as diminishing farm incomes/farm viability, water quality issues in our lakes and rivers, and biodiversity loss. These practices can also assist in dealing with other challenges such as climate change, flood risk and the nutrition density in our products.
The course will give participants an overview knowledge of key aspects of regenerative agriculture and provide a network to support in implementing the learning.
This week we start off with a few lines from Seamus Heaney’s poem, Blackberry-Picking. Then we have a fantastic blackberry recipe which was shared by Janice at Nourished by Nature for using up all those tasty berries we see along the hedgerows.
Finally we hear from Mary at Rowan Wellness and Gardens on a Kombucha and Canning workshop this weekend, 23rd September. We hope you enjoy. Firstly here’s an excerpt from the late great Heaney.
“Late August, given heavy rain and sun
For a full week, the blackberries would ripen.
At first, just one, a glossy purple clot
Among others, red, green, hard as a knot….”
Irish Water Quality Under Pressure Tydavnet GWS showcase Knocknagrave
Algal Blooms In Irish Lakes: The quality of waterways across Ireland has dropped over the decades and this summer has seen a raft of freshwater lakes closed to bathing due to algal blooms: the algae can cause serious sickness in humans. A combination of domestic, agricultural and industrial effluent has combined to increase nutrient levels in our lakes leading to the blooms of blue/green algae. In August 2023 Monaghan Co Co reported poor water quality in two well-visited bathing lakes as testing showed high levels of E. coli in both Lough Muckno (Blayney) and in Creevy Lake (Carrickmacross). Up-to-date testing results are available at https://monaghan.ie/environment/bathing-waters/ The picture above is particularly apt in this context and it pulls no punches in portraying how humans coevolved with nature but now threaten its very survival. Thankfully we can take many simple steps to reduce our impacts on nature and our waterways and hence make our drinking water better.
Continue readingTACKLING WASTE – ONE DAY AT A TIME
As part of their Transition Year programme, students from St Louis Secondary School brought their focus to a waste issue within the school – the excessive use of plastic. Using Design Thinking, they hoped to find a way to encourage other students and other people in the wider community to change their habits through achievable actions, and this fantastic calendar was the outcome. Here they tell us a bit more about the process they went through in getting to it.
Transition Monaghan held a meeting on 5th January 2022 on ZOOM.
Members in attendance:
Dermot McNally (Chair), Collette McEntee (Treasurer), Floss Moen (Column Editor), Liam Murtagh (SPC Delegate), Eddie O’Gara (SPC Delegate), Niamh Brannigan, Bernie O’Flaherty, Charlie Barker, Emer Brennan and Marty Connolly.
Agenda:
Dermot welcomed attendees and move to invite speakers.
For almost a decade, Transition Monaghan have been creating the “Sustainability Matters” column. The column has been printed on a weekly basis in the Northern Standard newspaper which circulates in Monaghan and surrounding counties. The aim of the column has always been to increase awareness and education on a range of environmental and sustainability issues of local, national and international interest. The vast archive of articles on the website are a testament to the effort involved over the years.
Transition Monaghan are involved in a Water Quality awareness video project on Monaghan water quality. The project is led by Siolta Chroi, supported by Transition Monaghan and funded by LAWPRO). At this stage in late 2021, a lot of the footage has been taken and a few interviews have been done. There are a few more interviews to do before the footage can be edited to make the final video.
Transition Monaghan have three delegates on Monaghan County Councils Strategic Policy Committee. Delegates give feedback on Monaghan County Councils initiatives. The Committee meets four times a year and delegates report back to Transition Monaghan.
Our delegates include:
Liam Murtagh: Climate and Environment Strategic Policy Committee.
Karen Jeffers: Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.
Eddie O Gara: Housing, Community and Culture Strategic Policy Committee.
Continue readingJennifer McAree of Transition Monaghan was one those selected by the Tipperary Energy Agency for a green trip to Bursa in Turkey. The trip took place last month. Here Jennifer reports on the background to the project as well as the trip itself, which she describes as a “brilliant experience”.
On a Green Trip to Turkey were: (L-R) Alex Hamilton, Tipperary Energy Agency, Trisha Purcell, Drombane Village Group, Cemal Yagci, Turkish representative and guide, Jennifer Mc Aree, Transition Monaghan and David Phelan, RPS.
Continue reading
Transition Monaghan 