Women around the world have protected, tended and loved the Waters of Mother Earth for generations. It is our sacred honor that many have forgotten. It is a vital role in living in harmony with the natural world. All are invited to restore their connection with the Water.
Women of the Water seeks to connect women across the world and to inspire every woman to take time out for herself and her community to tend the well-being of the water.
In ancient Ireland trees were held sacred by the people. Native forests of oak, ash, elm, birch, pine, alder and hazel trees flourished across Ireland’s landscape. The chieftain trees were the most revered and it was a crime to cut them down. By 1900, less than one percent of these woodlands remained. We want to see them return and create sustainable and long term ecosystems for wildlife.
We fundamentally believe that more heads are better than one. We aim to create a community of diverse thinkers, collaborating to find creative solutions to environmental issues and restoring the earth.
The first step in building towards this vision is simple, get people planting trees. We aim to inspire tree planting locally but also connect with landowners who are happy to donate their land to wilding projects. We are also looking to promote sustainable and ethical businesses that share our values.
Luke Heron, also known as Celtic Fox, is a forager, naturopath and student Herbalist based in Ireland.
He was born and bred in an Irish household in France. He was lucky to have been able to enjoy the freedom of the countryside in a small village in the middle of the Champagne region called Essômes-sur-marne. He spent most of his time outside and was surrounded by local stories about animals, plants and their value. He just generally ran wild in the local forests and through the vineyard hill. His life’s journey brought him to a full dedication to nature. It began after leaving his career behind which he worked in for over a decade after moving over to Northern Ireland. He fell ill, both physically and mentally while working religiously 5 days a week, 9am to 5pm, in between the four walls of an office. After a decade of living under the pressures of modern life and having bad lifestyle habits, his health was down the chute, he never spent time outside and his stress levels where off the chart.
It was thanks to his (re)discovery of a more natural lifestyle and the determination to get better that he found his health again. He received great help and support by herbalists and peers who both treated him and taught him so much.
He wanted to be three things as a child: a gardener, a chef and a doctor. He was told back then that it was impossible, yet here he is, studying and on his journey to becoming a registered clinical Herbalist. A career encompassing all three of his passions. Now that he’s much happier, empowered and ambitious, he wants to share this wonderful new perspective of life with those who will listen through his experiences, workshops, walks and talks.
We in Ireland recognise and celebrate our rich heritage in Holy Wells. This is a project to discover, and caretake our primary source water through our interaction with the holy wells. We aim to give back to this wonderful island we live on.
PURIFICATION: We use natural organic methods to purify the water and bring these wells back to a potable water source, as well as provide education and community building support around these heritage sites.
COMMUNITY: We believe the wells to be great community resource and aim to aid each community to find their own pride and creativity show through the wells.
HISTORY: Each well tells a rich tale, from is history in building, they it’s local histories and the cores, rounds beliefs around each of these wells. We endeavour to collect local lore about each well.
DATABASE: We are beginning to form a database of wells country wide.
EDUCATION: We provide workshops in:
{Update 2022: Here is the Gluaiseacht Funding Report form}
{Update 2021: The experience was successfully completed between Lughnasadh and Samhain 2020. For more information and photos, please join the Facebook Group}
Súil an Craic is the second iteration of an independently organised, multi-layered journey of exploration and re-discovery of the land, which seeks to open up routes for long-term pilgrimages through our ancient culture and richly varied landscape.
From his birthplace in Tory Island, down to the final resting place of his foster mother in Loughcrew, we are following the legends and deeds of Lugh Lamhfada, the champion of light who brought about change and freedom to the Tuatha Dé Dannan by defeating the Fomorians; dark beings whose greed and disregard for the Land herself knew no limits.
In association with the All is Well initiative, our route involves restoration and cleaning of ancient holy wells along the way, allowing Water to lead our path and remind communities of the importance of water care.
We’ll visit meaningful ancient sites, seeking to boost interest in lore and heritage, engaging with local communities to encourage indigenous tourism, fostering awareness about the state of our ecology, providing opportunities for guest experts to share their knowledge along the way… and ah, sure, have some craic while we’re at it.
Vision
The walk has a variety of aspects, layers and intentions.
Participants are invited to join under their own self-motivation and commitment to adhering to our standard of safety, behavior and intention. Though we will be walking under the principles of kindness, unity and tribe; we expect all Walkers to be self-sufficient in as many aspects as possible, including camping gear and equipment, transport, etc.
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown, we ask that all walkers to adhere to safety guidelines and social distancing practices.
Intentions and Goals
