Permaculture Design Course – Cloughjordan Ecovillage
28th July to 6th August 2023
The past few years have further revealed the need for our globalised industrial systems to adapt so that our values and quality of life become central to the way we live.
This course gives us a platform to share practical skills, that are becoming all the more important in light of our rapidly changing world, thus helping people to foster resilience in our local and global communities.
The principles and ethics of Permaculture provide us with the design system for the future.
For More Information please Call +353 (0) 505 42683 or email pdc@cultivate.ie
Secure your place for our Permaculture Design Course
Deposit fee € 200.00 (Paypal)
We also accept 
Bitcoin
“Permaculture is a way of life that strives to create a sustainable, self-sufficient, and harmonious relationship between people and the earth.”
– Rosemary Morrow
“Permaculture is not just about gardening, it’s about designing sustainable human settlements and rethinking the way we live.”
– David Blume, permaculture teacher and author
Why do the course?
The permaculture design course has become one of the benchmarks accredited courses in sustainability, and as such, is an essential part of the toolkit of real and practical ways to face the difficult challenges of our times. Whether your interest is in building community, organic horticulture or engineering, designing a homestead or how to best navigate the transition to a resilient and more self-reliant society, studying the principles of permaculture and regenerative design will be invaluable.
No prior knowledge is necessary to take the course, although, as permaculture is such a wide ranging discipline, it is recommended that participants do some basic research. Recommended reading will be sent out prior to the course.
How to pay?
Basic Package Includes:
-
- 9 days of immersive tuition classroom, hands-on practical learning & evening sessions,
- Welcome dinner on arrival
- A hot hearty lunch each day of the course
- Mid-morning and afternoon refreshments
- Permaculture Course Handbook
- Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Certificate
Add €84 to basic package to include x 6 dinners*. This offer does not include the Riot Rye Pizza Night.
*Dinners can also be purchased individually @€17 each.
Add €45 to include camping for x 9 nights (€5 per night/adult).
Django’s EcoHostel shared/ private rooms available from €30pppn.
Some concessionary places are available for low or no-wage participants. Enquire to pdc@cultivate.ie.
Irish-based applicants can also contact your local DSP case officer or Intreo office to find out and apply for training support and available Training Support Grants in your area.
To secure a place:
€200 deposit guarantees your place. Deposit refundable until 31st May 2023.
Pay in full before 31st May to avail of the Early Bird rate.
Full payment can be made in installments and all places must be paid in full by the end of July. Please apply by emailing pdc@cultivate.ie.
BASIC PACKAGE: €600
EARLY BIRD: €550
(paid in full before 31st May)
See PDC book and pay guide 2023 (PDF)
Secure your place on our Permaculture Design Course
Deposit €200.00 (PayPal)
We also accept Bitcoin
email pdc@cultivate.ie for details
Accreditation
This course is UK Permaculture Association Accredited.
Successful graduates of the course will be fully accredited by the U.K. Permaculture Association with a Permaculture Design Certificate. Students must complete the full course (72hrs learning) to qualify for the Permaculture Certificate.
This course is designed, hosted & organised by Cultivate in association with Sustainable Projects Ireland and Cloughjordan Community Farm.
Wondering what to expect from a 10-day PDC experience?
Overview and Location
This course is full-time from Friday evening (starting with dinner approx 6pm) until the following Sunday afternoon (finished by approx 4pm)
Content & Highlights
Course participants will have online lectures with international tutors while also engaging with local tutors through outdoor classes, hands-on experience and project-based explorations of permaculture design. Sessions will include Regenerative Agriculture, Market Gardening, Green and Natural Building, Sustainable Economics & Local Economies, Forest Gardening, Renewable Energy, Permaculture in Work and Livelihoods, Tools & Open Source Technology including Digital Fabrication.
Focused sessions on natural building with cob with Eileen Flannagan, market gardening and how to obtain the best yield with Bruce Darrell, local economics, forest gardening, renewable energy, ponds and aquaculture, the ecovillage and bioregional design along with specialist knowledge from our local tutors on social permaculture, community practices, digital fabrication, perma-facture and open source design.
Also includes tours of Cloughjordan Community Farm, Crawfords Farm and Riot Rye Bakehouse and Breadschool.
Course Venues
This training offers a unique hands-on opportunity to gain permaculture skills in Cloughjordan Ecovillage a unique and innovative project that is striving to create a fresh blueprint for modern sustainable living The Ecovillage, is easy to reach, in the centre of Ireland and approachable by public transport from Cork, Limerick and Dublin approx 1hr 40 by car from Dublin and 2hrs by Train. The project was created using permaculture design, giving students the opportunity to see the permaculture principles in action within a lively and diverse community.
Located on beautiful land in County Tipperary, and adjacent to the village of Cloughjordan, the EcoVillage features over 50 eco-homes, a renewable energy heating system, a wood-fired bakery, a community farm & our course centre: WeCreate Workspace and FabLab. Cloughjordan EcoVillage
Accommodation
Options range from camping at €5 per night to affordable accommodation at Django’s Eco-hostel, plus some local B&B options.
For camping, please note the camping area is beautiful and basic, situated in the in the Ecovillage a two minute skip from our centre. Campers will stay in the allotments area, with access to a compost toilet, a covered outside kitchen (gas rings and rainwater sink), a fire area and an off-grid shower (plus access to the shower in WeCreate in the mornings and evenings with the building open 8am to 8pm).
Camping in Ireland can be challenging at times, even during the summer months and warm socks, a hat, warm clothes & blankets are often needed, as well as an additional waterproof ground cover for most tents. Flip-flops are quick and easy for hopping in and out of the tent in the wet grass and a nice camping mattress is essential for those camping for the duration. If you are properly equipped for 9 nights camping in the Ecovillage you will be rewarded by beautiful and peaceful surroundings in the eco-village, a communal outside cooking space, a hot shower and the late night camaraderie of the campfire.
Camping: €45/9 nights/person
For camper-van users, you can park at WeCreate parking for €35 for the duration of the course.
For the Hostel: Book here for Django’s EcoHostel or call Pa at +353 87 256 9348.
For other accommodation options please contact Philippa: philippa@cultivate.ie or tel: +353 505 42683
Food
Included in course fees are delicious vegetarian lunches, morning and afternoon coffee/tea biscuits and cakes each day plus dinner on arrival.
During the week dinners are organised in various ways including, cooking in groups, community meals shared with other villagers and so on. There are low-cost supper options available during the week, e.g. pizza, and barbeque nights, available for booking at the beginning of the course. Our caterers (The Night Orchard) are happy to cater for vegan diets and any allergies and use fresh local ingredients from the Community Farm, Red Gardens and Riot Rye Bakehouse.
Course Materials
Aside from camping gear for the campers, participants should bring; sturdy boots, a notebook and pens and a laptop/ tablet, if you have one – desktop computers, are available in our centre though if needed.
We will supply course notes – and all equipment needed for practical work, feel free to bring your own work gloves for the cob and forest gardening session if needed.
Transport
Situated 143km from Dublin (Cork 156km, Limerick 57km), Cloughjordan is just off the M7 motorway and easily accessible from all parts of Ireland by bus, car or train.
– Cloughjordan has its own train station and you can book at Irish rail.
– J.J. Kavanagh’s buses run regularly from Dublin Airport to our local towns of Roscrea & Nenagh. Just let us know and we can organise lifts for you from there to Cloughjordan. You can book at JJ Kavanagh & Sons.
Another useful website: Get There.
FAQs
People can arrive anytime that day. If camping it’s good to give yourself time to get set up before we meet at 6- 9pm for supper and an orientation meet & greet session.
Usually by around 4 – 4.30pm
Please contact Pa Finucan directly for this – he is: djangoshostel.com / pafinucan@gmail.com or 0872569348
You can put it all together, add {YRNAME}PDC to the transaction and then just drop an email to pdc@cultivate.ie to explain what you’ve included in your payment.
A basic – continental breakfast is included at the Hostel yes, toast, tea, cereal etc. People often supplement this by shopping at the local store as the Hostel has a kitchen for residents to prepare their own food. Campers are welcome to use the WeCreate Centre or the camp kitchen to prepare food.
The PDC Certificate is issued by the Permaculture Association based in the UK, sadly ROI don’t have an association just yet – but we’re working on it! The Certificate requirements are, 75hrs of permaculture study, plus your presentation/design project within a PDC run by accredited teachers. Once the course is completed satisfactorily, you will be presented on the final day with your certificate.
Yes, all students are asked to complete a permaculture design project – this can be done on a piece of land of your choice, or we can provide you with a local Cloughjordan scenario for your project.
We’ll provide you with some reading/ watching material before the course.
Testimonials
“If you’re looking for a pragmatic and inspiring insight into an incredible and life-changing way of living, I can’t recommend this course enough. If you look at society, the future, the climate crisis and modern living and worry its all fucked, this may well change your mind. If you’re looking at a 9-5 doing something you’re indifferent about and a 40 year mortgage just to have somewhere to live and think there must be another way, this might give you an insight to an alternative way to design community.”
– 2020 student
“This course is a unique opportunity for a full immersion in topics fundamental to the transition to a more sustainable society; a great experience supported by passionate and highly skilled people.”
– 2020 student
“The PDC is an intense, whistle-stop tour through the exciting world of permaculture. Led by knowledgeable people who are really trying to implement these principles in their lives.”
– Mags Synnott, 2018 student
