Cloughjordan Ecovillage Experience Weekends

Cloughjordan Ecovillage Experience Weekends
April 20 - 22, May 25-27, June 22-24

A new programme of events has been launched by the educational charity
Sustainable Projects Ireland. It will offer a rich opportunity to learn
about many aspects of sustainable living. The weekend courses, hosted at
the Ecovillage in Cloughjordan on April 20-22, May 25-27 and June 22-24,
will give participants an opportunity to take classes in subjects like
green building, renewable energy and organic food growing while
experiencing a taste of life in Cloughjordan, Ireland’s leading green
community.

The Ecovillage Experience Weekend programme is offered by Ecovillage
members who are committed to creating an enriching learning experience for
visitors and to making Cloughjordan Ecovillage a leading contributor to
education for sustainability.

Designed according to Permaculture principles the Ecovillage is nestled in
its own planted woodland and enjoys the produce of a bountiful community
farm. A state-of-the-art solar and wood chip heating system supplies
heating and hot water while high speed broadband allows residents to work
from their own homes. A new Green Enterprise Centre is currently under
construction and a range of businesses have been established, including an
organic bakery.

You can stay on site in Django’s EcoHostel while you take part in a range
of tours, presentations, discussions and hands on learning experiences.
Come on your own or come with friends and take away ideas and insights to
share with your own community. You will receive a warm welcome in the
Ecovillage and from the wider Cloughjordan community.

Dates:
20-22 April 2012
25-27 May 2012
22-24 June 2012
Weekends start on Friday at 8pm and end on Sunday at 3pm.

Cost: €60 (€40 concessions) for full weekend programme. Hostel
accommodation (not included) available from €20 per night (see
www.djangoshostel.com). Meals not included.

A €10 discount is offered for taking the train. With a new improved
timetable and reduced fares participants are encouraged to travel by train
to Cloughjordan.

Enquiries:
Email learning@thevillage.ie
Tel +353 (0)505-42833
Bookings: http://www.thevillage.ie/experience-weekend

Schedule:
Cloughjordan Ecovillage Experience Weekend 1
April 20-22 - Starts on Friday at 8pm and ends on Sunday at 3pm

April 20-22 Weekend Programme includes:
• Building Sustainable Community
• Tour of the Ecovillage
• Introduction to Green Building
• Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy – Solar Panels
• Fairtrade and Ethical Trade
• Introduction to Cob
• The Fundamentals of Growing Food
• How to Create a More Energy Efficient Home
• Building Your Home in Cloughjordan Ecovillage
• Learnings to Take Home to Your Community

Cloughjordan Ecovillage Experience Weekend 2
May 25-27 - Starts on Friday at 8pm and ends on Sunday at 3pm

May 25-27 Weekend Programme includes:
• Building Sustainable Community
• Tour of the Ecovillage
• Contemporary Dance Class in Release Technique
• Fairtrade and Ethical Trade
• Community Resilience
• How to Create a More Energy Efficient Home
• Introduction to Cob
• Community Meitheal
• Exploring Participatory Group Work
• Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy – Heat Pumps
• Building Your Home in Cloughjordan Ecovillage
• Learnings to Take Home to Your Community

Cloughjordan Ecovillage Experience Weekend 3
June 22-24 - Starts on Friday at 8pm and ends on Sunday at 3pm

June 22-24 Weekend Programme includes:
• Building Sustainable Community
• Tour of the Ecovillage
• Introduction to Green Building
• The Fundamentals of Growing Food
• Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy – Wind & Photovoltaic
• Fairtrade and Ethical Trade
• Community Resilience
• Introduction to Cob
• Community Meitheal
• Exploring Participatory Group Work
• Building Your Home in Cloughjordan Ecovillage
• Learnings to Take Home to Your Community

Programme Details:

• Tour of the Ecovillage
o A facilitated walk around the ecovillage highlighting the green homes,
the eco design, food systems and the renewable energy system.
• Building Sustainable Community
o This session outlines the history and current plans of the ecovillage,
and what makes any community more sustainable
• The Fundamentals of Growing Food
o Bruce Darrell introduces some of the key practical and theoretical
aspects of growing your own food organically, including planning a garden,
ground preparation, competition, soil life, nutrients, sunlight, water and
wind protection.
• Community Resilience
o Davie Philip explains how a community can build its capacity to overcome
adversity and adapt to change positively.
• Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy
o Duncan Martin offers an exploration of the Pros and Cons of generating
electricity from different sources of renewable energy, including concepts,
principles and practices followed by a Forum to share experiences and
questions. The three sessions will focus on 3 different sources of
renewable energy, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps and Wind & Photovoltaic.
• Introduction to Green Building
o Mike Holden offers an overview of Green Building, starting with
traditional natural building techniques and then comparing and contrasting
with modern high tech options.  This introduction will draw upon examples
from the ecovillage to investigate what do we mean by green building, what
does it actually look like, how do we go about it and how do we decide if
we are doing it or not?
• Introduction to Cob
o Eileen Flanagan offers a taste of earth building with cob, which is a
mixture of earth, straw, sand and water. It has been used to build houses
for centuries in Ireland and is making a comeback as a low-cost, low-impact
way to build beautiful and unique structures.
• How to Create a More Energy Efficient Home
o Sally Starbuck offers an analysis of the full range of measures available
to improve the energy efficiency of homes, to suit climate and other
conditions in Ireland. Authored by architectural consultant, Bill Scott,
the session will help to dispel myths, avoid mistakes and improve comfort
and health in the home.
• Building Your Home in Cloughjordan Ecovillage
o Dave Flannery leads a session to explain the various options for building
your own house in Cloughjordan Ecovillage and will be of interest to those
who want to learn more about living in Ireland’s first ecovillage. The
session also presents the Ecovillage's low cost build cooperative led by
Dominic Stevens.
• Exploring Participatory Group Work
o Trish Kinsella explores concepts of communication, facilitation and
challenges of working in community. Participants will have the opportunity
to reflect on their own personal and professional practices relating to
these topics.
• Fairtrade and Ethical Trade
o Peter Gaynor explores issues of social and environmental justice and
sustainability addressed in international trade by Fairtrade and ethical
trade initiatives.
• Community Meitheal
o Meitheal is the Irish word for ‘work team’ and in this session
participants will leave a legacy of their visit and contribute their time
and energy towards an ecovillage project.
• Contemporary Dance Class in Release Technique
o Julie Lockett leads participants through a series of exercises, beginning
on the floor and leading to full-bodied movement standing - all set to
music. Release technique is about promoting relaxed moving. It places the
emphasis on minimising tension in the body, in the search for clarity and
fluidity and efficient use of energy and breath.
• Learnings to Take Home to Your Community
o Reflecting on what we have experienced over the weekend and exploring
what could be applied in any locality.