Our Heritage in Bloom
Did you know that the Irish goddess of healing, Airmid, collected and organised all the healing herbs in the world? That the early Irish legal system, the Brehon laws (dating back to the Iron age) stipulate protection and value for many different plants? That Irish sailors knew the herbs that would protect them from scurvy, centuries before the British navy agreed to stock citrus fruit on board their ships?
Please note: We are working on our 2025 course programme. Individual course pages will be updated and may be amended in the coming weeks. However, all published course dates for 2025 are confirmed to go ahead.
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Saturday, 12 July 2025 — Saturday, 19 July 2025
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| Our Heritage in Bloom | Gleann Cholm Cille | €210 | Book now |
Plants in Irish tradition and lore
Irish tradition is rich in plant lore. From the early knowledge passed down with the Tuath Dé Danann sagas to the cures of Biddy Early, and more recently in the Schools' Collection, we see plants have been used as medication, in the home, when dealing with the supernatural, and in a wealth of other applications.
In this course, we will explore different aspects of this heritage, including legend, poetry/songs, domestic and medicinal uses, and superstitions.
The greater part of the course will be held outdoors, in order to maximise the chances of seeing the plants in their natural habitat. The walks will not be strenuous, but will tackle different types of terrain; a moderate level of fitness, and adequate hiking/rain gear will be necessary. This course is open to all levels of fluency in the Irish language, from beginners to advanced.