Foraging at Lúnasa | Mountain Ways Ireland

Foraging at Lúnasa

11 a Cloughinny road, Forkhill, Newry

Overview

As part of the Ring of Gullion Lúnasa Festival, re-discover the ancient art of foraging. Join us to learn about edible ‘weeds’ and medicinal wild plants once used by our ancestors at Slieve Gullion’s foot.

Summer is all about abundance. However, It’s also a time of the year when there can be a gap as we come out of late spring and await the hedgerow fruit. Join us as we look for some of those cross-over plants , see whats left of the Spring larder and maybe get a hint of the Autumnal harvest to come.

I am a wild food enthusiast and folklorist and have been for all of my life.

Tapping into a lifetime love for the outdoors, centuries old tacit knowledge handed down through my family and years of my own research and experimentation, I will guide you on a foraging journey that reveals the hidden potential in even the most familiar of wild plants, those plants that surround you, the ones you walk past every day whether you live in the countryside, town or city.

Testimonials

“Brian has a very easy and engaging manner and a very engaging way of sharing his extensive plant knowledge and lore. I loved sampling their wild food and especially enjoyed trying the kimichi for the first time. It’s to die for! I would highly recommend this experience. Thank you both for a lovely relaxing afternoon”.Rosie, TripAdvisor

Its even more special for me when I can deliver this experience on my own ancestral farm. We have been here in this Slieve Gullion Mountain townland for at least seven generations and certainly as far back as records show.

What Others Say

“The day was both interesting and entertaining, I would really recommend the event to anyone that wants to find out what is on our doorstep or just to reconnect with nature.

Any amount of information can be found in books or online, but seeing, smelling, touching and tasting the plants is definitely a unique experience.

Thank you Lorraine & Brian, I look forward to meeting on another walk”.

Michelle M , TripAdvisor

How will the day look, What’s included ?

  • We’ll meet in my farmyard for a 10.30 am start – there is a good sized carpark but please car pool where possible while remaining covid safe.
  • I will take you through my garden a short distance to visit a 200 year old half -door stone cottage.
  • At the cottage I’ll give a brief introduction to the art of foraging – ethics, law, safety, sustainability etc.
  • We begin our approximate 2 hour foraging walk of field and hedgerow
  • The plants, fungi , berries that we may meet and discuss are seasonally dependant, each season has its blessings
  • We’ll be eating some tasty wild foraged treats that I have prepared -small nibbles ‘on the hoof’ as we walk
  • Return to the stone cottage for a brief look at processing and preservation techniques
  • We’re finished up at about 1.30 pm

What will I learn ?

  • A new appreciation of the shear wealth of wild food that surrounds us
  • If you have never foraged before then it really is like taking a blindfold off and seeing for the very first time
  • How to gather seasonally and sustainably for both food and medicine
  • Follklore and traditional uses
  • Basic wild food peparation processing techniques
  • Basic wild food peparation processing techniques (please note alcohol is often used as a preservative)
  • This is the beginning of a journey, opening a door to a lifetime of learning and wonder
  • How to engage and use all of your senses to identify wild foods- touch, taste, smell, sight & listening
  • Edible identification and poisonous lookalikes 

Testimonials

“Had a wonderful time on the foraging course. Brian was a great guide who is truly passionate about foraging and what nature provides. It was very relaxing to slow down and stop and have all the natural resources around us pointed out, balanced with those that can be dangerous. I will definitely be trying some of the tea recommendations.

After the walk it was great to see the results of Brian’s foraging and really enjoyed the infused water and homemade gorse honey and dandelion jelly.

Would highly recommend to anyone that wants to get back in touch with nature”.

Shenda, TripAdvisor

For A Bespoke Itinerary Please Contact Us With Your Details

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What You'll Need

    • Additional Information :This is approximately a 3  hour experience.

    • Just over 2 km walking at a very gentle pace with plenty of stops along the way.

    • The walk is easily accessible for most levels of fitness, ages and ability however it is not suitable for people with limited levels of mobility – please contact us if you have any questions at all around this.

    • The tour is mostly through rough pasture and country lane with a short section on quiet coutry road.

    • Please note the grass in places may be long and wet underfoot so wear appropriate footwear with a good deep tread and something that will keep your feet dry.

    • This is for the most part an outdoors experience so please dress accordingly for the Irish weather.Raincoat, Umbrella, Warm Clothing, Sun cream :-)

    • Each guest is asked to sign a simple consent and medical declaration form and also inform us in advance of any allergies or medical conditions which we should be aware of..

    • Apologies but no dogs allowed with the exception of guide dogs.

    • We are 5* approved with the Food Srtandards Agency NI

    • While you are welcome to carry a small bag or basket to collect a few plants, any quantities foraged will only be for later identification purposes. There is an abundance of growth with some plants while others are not so plentiful and as we lead regular walks in this area, this is the most sustainable way.

    • Sorry No Refunds, however, you may choose to transfer your walk on the day t

Book Your Experience

Mountain Ways Ireland Booking Process

  • If your chosen experience is scheduled then it will appear in the 'UP-COMING EVENTS CALENDAR' on our Front/ Homepage. There should also be a BOOK NOW button in the experience OVERVIEW tab above. It can be booked directly and paid for there
  • However, if your experience is not scheduled or at a time/date that suits you then you can make a private booking by clicking the GET IN TOUCH button at the bottom of the page.
  • If you prefer to speak to us directly, just call on 00353(0) 87 2243176
  • Based on availability, your requirements / group size etc. then we will quote you a price.
  • Payment in full is required on booking
  • Please note that all bookings are strictly non-refundable however covid terms and conditions apply i.e. on validated proof of a positive PCR test result then you have the option to transfer your experience to someone else on the day or receive a credit to the value for a future experience ( minus admin/booking fee of 20% ).
  • All other Terms & Conditions apply.
Get In Touch
  • Learn how to safely identify common edible and poisonous wild plants
  • Hear about the fascinating folklore, history and medicinal values of our wild herbs
  • Tasty wild foraged treats that I have prepared -small nibbles ‘on the hoof’ as we walk
  • Tips on processing and preservation techniques

Book Foraging at Lúnasa

  • Learn how to safely identify common edible and poisonous wild plants
  • Hear about the folklore, history and medicinal values of our wild herbs
  • Tasty wild foraged treats that I have prepared -small nibbles ‘on the hoof’ as we walk
  • Tips on processing and preservation techniques
Grade
Easy - Gentle
Distance
2 Km
Time
10.30 am - 1.30 pm
Dates
Sat. 10 / 8 / 24
Price
£45
Foraging at Lúnasa

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