by Laura Hannon
Rossmore Forest Park in Monaghan Town is a wondrous place for many – spending childhoods fumbling around between tree roots and over stepping-stones. A lot of us hold Rossmore so dear because of the nostalgia it resurfaces any time we visit. For these reasons, the people of Monaghan are very passionate about protecting and nurturing the park.
Continue readingCongratulations to the Carrickmacross Youthreach students who have made it through to this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards semi-finals. Their film, entitled ‘What A Waste’, aims to highlight the scale of the waste issue, its negative effects on the environment and it suggests what we all can do to help solve the problem. ‘What A Waste’ can be viewed on Youtube or via a link on Transition Monaghan’s Facebook page.
‘Every Blooming Thing’ was held last Saturday 4th of March, as a fringe event of the ongoing Castleblayney Drama Festival. Held in the beautifully refurbished Gate Lodge on the grounds of Hope Castle, the event went swimmingly thanks to our very own Liam Murtagh of Transition Monaghan at the helm.
Liam opened by talking about the evolution of man and nature. It appears that alongside the great technological advances we have seen in the last century or two, comes an unwelcome disconnection from the natural world. An afternoon such as this is a perfect chance to reflect and reawaken some of that consciousness we seem to have lost.
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Dermot McNally of Transition Monaghan looks at our increasing detachment from nature as a result of our modern lifestyles which focus strongly on consumerism, urbanisation and automation, and have led to concern for our physical, emotional and mental health. Thankfully, pro-active reaction has led to the formation of many groups and activities to reinstate our connection with the surrounding natural world. In this article, Dermot explores the concept of ‘Forest Schools’ and how it could be applied in County Monaghan.
There is no doubt that today’s children are missing out on old fashioned outdoor fun and adventure. Could ‘forest schooling’ use nature as the place for learning as well as a playground for society’s youngest?
A celebration and get together for the potato lovers and growers of Co. Monaghan, and surrounding counties, will take place again this year in Carrickmacross. Now in its second year, we are running this event to promote awareness of the humble spud, the Transition Town movement and of course promoting GIY in a fun and friendly competitive way. The final will be on Sunday, 11 September in Deery’s Bar & Lounge, Carrickmacross at 1pm. Continue reading
by Conan Connolly, Transition Monaghan
A celebration and get together for the potato lovers and growers of South Monaghan will take place again this year in Carrickmacross. Now in its second year, we are running this event to promote awareness of the humble spud, the Transition movement and of course promoting GIY in a fun and friendly competitive way. The final will be on Saturday, 11 September in Carrickmacross. Continue reading
Many species of our wildlife such as the butterfly and the bumblebee are suffering a decline in numbers. As part of an effort to conserve our biodiversity, Monaghan Tidy Towns Network and the National Biodiversity Data Centre are inviting people to a FREE practical workshop on identifying the various species of butterfly and bumblebee we have in the county. It will also cover how to record sightings of these insects. The workshop will take place in Ballybay Wetlands Centre on Saturday, 28 May (10am-4pm).
When we think of a fine summer’s day in Ireland, the hum of bumblebees and the fluttering of butterflies probably spring to mind. Unfortunately today there are fewer bumblebees and butterflies in Ireland than in past decades with some species having become extinct and others heading in that direction. Undertaking surveys and taking action to improve the habitats of these insects is crucially important to the future survival of at least some of these species. Continue reading
This Saturday, Carrickmacross will see its very own spud tasting competition (An Spud Off Mór) take place in John Joe Cunningham’s at 1pm. Potatoes can be boiled or steamed, without any added ingredients, and will be blind test tasted by a panel of tasters. The idea is to promote ‘growing your own’ and to have a fun competition that encourages everyone to ‘savour the flavour’ of local potatoes. Anyone from South Monaghan wishing to enter their spuds should contact Conan on 086 064 1864. Further details on entry and criteria are available at http://www.transitionmonaghan.org.
Conan Connolly is inviting people to enter or just come along to this Saturday’s spud tasting competition in Carrickmacross.
Conan Connolly of Transition Monaghan is on a mission to find the tastiest potatoes in South Monaghan and encourage more people to grow their own. He is looking for potato growers to join in a new type of potato growing and tasting competition. Here he fills us on the details of ‘An Spud Off Mór’
What is it? It’s a competition to find the best potato in South Monaghan. The idea of the growing and tasting competition started in Co Kerry and we thought it would be great to try it out in Co Monaghan.
Why have it? Firstly its to celebrate the humble spud, its importance to our diet and in our history.
Continue readingAn Spud Off Mór: South Monaghan Potato Growing & Tasting Competition
Transition Monaghan is organising a potato growing & tasting competition for growers from South Monaghan. The closing date for entry is Wednesday, 17 June and the tasting will be undertaken by a panel of blind tasters in JJ Cunningham’s Loft, Carrickmacross on Saturday, 4 July, beginning at 1pm. The potatoes must either be boiled or steamed and cannot have any added ingredients. The competition is open to schools, community groups or individuals. For further information see ‘An Spud off Mór’ on www.transitionmonaghan.org or contact Conan on 086 0641864.
Decision Time is Near for Climate Change
The clock is ticking for a climate change deal. It is being discusssed this week by President Obama and the other leaders of the G7 Group at their summit in Germany. In December, world leaders will gather in Paris to agree a legally binding text on climate action. Friends of the Earth and other NGOs are calling on the Irish Government to strengthen its Climate Bill as it is debated in the Dáil. Continue reading
Transition Monaghan 