Anthroposophy in Ireland

2011-10-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

2011-06-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

"A 21st Century Big Picture: America and China - The Looming Vice? The Coming Conflict?"

Is there a way between or shall we all be crushed? The economic crisis that began in 2007-08 was facilitated by the rapid injection of hundreds of millions of Chinese workers into the global economy and the resulting explosion of goods and credit. China's time has come, but so far, she has essentially been copying our economic practices and our errors. Like Britain 100 years ago, America's 'glories' are fading but the Americans' psychological anxieties and their mega military continue to grow – a dangerous combination. Half way through the 20th century millions of families were scarred by the East-West conflict of the Cold War. Is that to be repeated in a different form? The signs are that the Western elite is preparing for it. Increasingly, the American elite sees itself as Britain in 1914 and China as Germany. Can their mania be stopped? How to understand the US-China relationship? Will the 1930s be repeated – a global economic crisis followed by the false 'solution' of a terrible war? In what sense are America and China both 'Atlantean' Powers? How can the rest of us find our way between this polar vice of the Eagle and the Dragon, without being crushed? Are Ireland, Britain and Europe to be America's 'auxiliaries' in this confrontation? We must find a way though to avoid a repeat of the scenario of 1914.

Terry's website is www.monju.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
   Venue:The Stag's Head (Upstairs)
   Date:28th June @7.30pm
   Admission: 8euro

2011-05-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

Whit.Sun. Open Day

On Whitsunday, 12^th June in Tuamgraney, Scarriff, “The Christian Community” will hold its Open Day, a festive occasion for neighbours and friends and an opportunity for all who are curious/interested to come and visit, ask questions/find out more.

The day will commence with Services in the chapel room (9.30am Children's' Service, 10.30am The Act of Consecration – a communion service for adults), to which all are welcome.

Over lunch and into the afternoon there will be a range of activities for children (including parachute games, a balloon race, juggling), Cultural/artistic/musical contributions, a talk introducing the aims of The Christian Community, light snacks and refreshments.

The Christian Community is a non-denominational movement for religious renewal, founded in Switzerland in the early 1920's. Meanwhile it has groups of friends and members in many countries of the world. It strives to bring the religious and the spiritual life closer together, through the sacraments on the one hand and through forms of expression such as the festivals, the arts, nature, on the other. In this way, The Christian Community hopes to contribute to society and the quality of the future.

For further details ring 061 640967 or visit www.thechristiancommunityireland.net.

2011-05-30T11:49:00.001-07:00

The Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association

is inviting applications for the post of

National Co-ordinator.

Location: National Office, Mountshannon, Co.Clare

Responsible to: ISKA Council meeting quarterly.

Reporting to: The Chair of ISKA Council

Position: Part time, 20 hours per week

Commencing: June 2011

The National Co-ordinator will

carry responsibility for the implementation of the organisation’s activities funded under the National Childcare Investment Plan, including Workshop Programme, Support to Members, Annual Conference.
They will staff the public office, manage the ISKA Budgets, maintain adequate records, create annual action plans and submit reports as required to ISKA Council, Pobal and the OMCYA.
The National Co-ordinator will have a good knowledge of Steiner Waldorf early childhood education and some knowledge of the situation of the Kindergartens in Ireland and the sector as a whole.
They will have proven administrative and computer skills and they will demonstrate the ability to deal effectively with a wide range of activities and processes.
They will have the ability to work in a self motivated manner and to take initiative where appropriate.

To request further information contact the ISKA Office

To apply for this position please submit your CV to the ISKA Office by Friday May 27^th 2011

Audrey Flynn
National Co-ordinator
Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association
Mulhare House, Main Street,
Mountshannon, Co Clare
Office Hours
Monday&Wednesday - 9am-3pm
Tuesday - 11am-3pm
www.steinerireland.org - 00353 (0) 61 927944

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking." Albert Einstein

2011-03-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

Seasonal Crafts and

Introducing Irish to the Young Child

with Cathy Lee & Niamh Ruiséal

at Crannóg na Leanaí

Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford

Crafts, including Easter Egg Decorating, Chicks, Hares, etc plus Introducing Irish to young

children in the home and preschool.

Cathy Lee is the Kindergarten Teacher at Crannóg na Leanaí

Niamh Ruiséal is a Kindergarten teacher & a fluent Irish Speaker

All Materials included

Sat 2nd April 2011

9.30amRegistration-4pm

Cost: €40 (ISKA members €25)

Free for Assistants/EVS Students in Steiner Kindergartens if they are ISKA Members

possible to become a member on the day-€30 full €15 Associate membership

Bring and Share Lunch

Bookings– Cathy 087 6254863

2011-03-16T10:07:00.001-07:00

2011-03-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Protecting Childhood
Recognising the Value of Childhood
A Workshop about Quality in Childcare Settings
for enthusiastic people around the young child
with
Helle Heckmann
(the Author of “Childhood's Garden
Shaping everyday life around the needs of young children”)
Sunday, 13th March 2011
9:30am – 4:30pm
(Including bring and share lunch break)
In: Ballyhall Kindergarten, Callan, Co.Kilkenny
Costs: 35€
For more details please contact:
0833840872 Cindy

2011-03-10T03:52:00.000-08:00

Raheen Wood Steiner Secondary School’s (Alfa) performance of Shakespeare’s “All’s Well that Ends Well”
This play will be performed on the 31st March and 1st April in the Millenium Theatre in LIT Limerick at 7.00 pm. It will also be shown on April 5th in Ballytobin Kilkenny at 3.00 pm. Tickets are 5euros each and can be got by ringing 061-640798 to reserve. Concessions available.

Raheen Wood Steiner Secondary School (Alfa) is an initiative in Tuamgraney in East Clare which currently offers a richly developed and integrated full time secondary education based on the Steiner/Waldorf curriculum. Our holistic approach is dedicated to supporting the full development of human faculties, enabling our students to become socially responsible citizens, confident in their gifts and ready to meet a changing world. Our programme is based on multidisciplinary learning with a strong academic, environmental, and practical foundation. We support diversity in the different cultures, learning styles, and needs of our students. We are an experienced FETAC level 4 and 5 provider and are currently offering FETAC in many subjects for our students. http://alfaproject.org

2011-01-18T06:13:00.001-08:00

Cosmic Music” 2 Talks by John S. Clarke
Hidden Aspects of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
Bach’s Goldberg Variations were supposedly written at the behest of the Russian Ambassador to the Court of Saxony, who suffered from insomnia and had his personal musician Johann Goldberg perform the Variations for him as he lay awake at night. The Variations have long been an interest of John Clarke, a musician and music therapist in Camphill Ballytobin who found much in his research that will be of interest not only to musicians, but to anyone with a taste for history, literature or spirituality.
Castalia Hall, Camphill Community, Ballytobin, Callan
Friday 21 and 28 January 2011 at 8pm ( 2 parts )

2010-07-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Angus writes:

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful midsummer weather.

I am writing to inform you that we have some positions still open on our Foundation Year in Anthroposophy course that will start the 10th September, 2010.

Our course features:

Practical insights into many aspects of life, through a holistic and integrated world view first developed by Rudolf Steiner

Opportunities for Self Understanding through a varied and fulsome Arts curriculum

Possibilities for Spiritual Development through Inner Work and Meditative Exercises

We provide teachers who are local and from all around Ireland, as well as some of the finest international presenters. You have the potential over the course of the year to form significant and lasting relationships with a group of fellow seekers, in the inspiring setting of Raheen Wood Steiner School, on the edge of a beautiful old-growth forest near Tuamgraney, County Clare.

For those of you who have previously completed the Foundation Year with us, but not the Kindergarten Training, now might be the time for you to take the next step. We have a limited number of spots available in our Pedagogical Year as well.

Let me know soon if you are interested, or if you would like more information.

Most sincerely,

Jonathan Angus

5 School Lane, Mountshannon, Co Clare

jonathanangus@gmail.com

Early Childhood Education Programme

Foundations in Anthroposophy and Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher Training

The Early Childhood Education Programme is a member of the Teacher Education Circle, Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its graduates are recognised as having completed a full and valid training to be lead Kindergarten teachers

in Steiner Waldorf Schools and Early Years Centers the world over.

This course is not validated by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.

2010-06-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

The Search for the Deep Self - A Social Sculpture

By Deborah Ravetz

On exhibit at the Art Space, across from McKernans Handweavers, Tuamgraney, Co Clare.

One evening only -- Saturday June 26^th 2010 at 7pm.

What is Social Sculpture? -

Joseph Beuys' concept of social sculpture was based on the view that society as a whole is one great work of art to which each person can contribute creatively.

All are welcome to come, view the exhibition and meet the artist.

Bring your friends.

For more information on Deborah Ravetz' work see www.becomingaself.org.

2010-05-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

From the Summer Newsletter:

Celebrating 21 Years of the Anthroposophical Society in Ireland

Twenty one years ago, on Whitsunday 1989, the Anthroposophical Society in Ireland was founded. The council has been looking at ways to mark our 21st anniversary this year

In marking this occasion, it is worth noting that significant events occur in the heavens in May. The journal of the Astronomical Section of the Goetheanum has called 2010 “The year of the great opposition”. Jupiter and Saturn meet in a triple-opposition between Easter 2010 and 2011. This means that the planets stand diametrically opposite each other in the sky - one is rising in the east as the other sets in the west.

Such oppositions occur approximately every twenty or twenty one years, but what is especially significant at this time is where the planets are placed celestial event. Jupiter stands at the spring equinox point, in the constellation of Pisces, while Saturn stands opposite on the autumnal equinox in Virgo. These points are the gateways to spring and autumn, where the Sun crosses respectively north and south of the equator. Jupiter-Saturn Oppositions happen in this location only every several hundred years.

The first of these three oppositions happens on Whitsun, the 21^st anniversary of the Irish Society’s founding. It is interesting to read what Rudolf Steiner, in relation to new forms of technology, says about the Pisces and Virgo forces;

"It will be the task of the good, healing science to find certain cosmic forces that, through the working together of two cosmic streams, are able to arise on the earth. These two cosmic streams will be those of Pisces and Virgo. It will be most important to discover the mystery of how what works out of the cosmos in the direction of Pisces as a force of the sun combines with what works in the direction of Virgo. The good will be that one will discover how, from the two directions of the cosmos, morning and evening forces can be placed at the service of humanity: on the one side from the direction of Pisces and on the other side from the direction of Virgo.

...From the cooperation of what comes from Pisces and Virgo one will not be able to bring about anything harmful. Through this one will achieve what in a certain sense loosens the mechanism of life from the human being but will in no way found any form of rulership and power of one group over another... "

Dornach 25 November 1917, GA0178

May these healing forces carry us for ward to the next period of the Society’s biography. Rather than organising one single event to which not everyone may be able to travel, the council instead suggests that people arrange to meet locally on Sunday 24th May, to read Steiner’s Whitsun verse. Thus, wherever we are, members will have an opportunity to mark the event of our society’s “Coming of age”, knowing that the occasion is celebrated in many other places all over Ireland.

With warmest Greetings

The Council

Whitsuntide

June 2-5: International Early Childhood Care Conference, Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland.

Rudolf Steiner’s salutogenesis approach to infant pedagogy. The conference will focus on healthy and healing child development, care of children in their home environment, in playgroups, institutions and day-care centres, and in medical, nursing and therapeutic practices.Contact: Goetheanum. Tel: +41 (0) 61-7064444. Email: tickets@goetheanum.org

Application form can be found on http://www.goetheanum.org/3426.html (German) or for

the English version: http://ahasc.org.uk/events/index/

June 5-6: Dunshane:

Humans and Nature Spirits

Working and playing with Nature Spirits workshop Led by Tanis Helliwell, based on her book “Summer with the Leprechauns”. “This course will share with you the secrets of manifestation according to natural laws and the natural world so that you can be more effective in your work and world.” Further info phone 051 - 647947

Theory of Colour

This is a call for those who have worked with the Theory of Colour can meet together and share research. Contributions can be in the form of a talk, an artistic exercise or experimental presentation. The venue is a new village hall in the little seaside town of Portballintrae on the north Antrim coast, a few miles from the Giants’ Causeway in an area where nature forces are in dynamic interplay. MNany landscape artists live in this area to see the elements at work.

Cost: depends on numbers but no more than £30. Meals and lodgings not included.Transport: Buses to Portballintrae from Belfast. Nearest train station is Portrush.

Accommodation: camping, youth hostel, self-catering cottages, B&B and hotels all within walking distance of venue. Booking: Malin Starrett, 520 Antrim Road, Glengormley, Co. Antrim BT36, N.Ireland Tel: UK 0044 (0)28 909 25211

Goethean Science & Art Therapy

A series of three week end workshops exploring basic principles of Goethe's new science. We will engage Art Therapy to help us in following Goethe's trail artistically, using watercolors, clay and our splendid human imagination. Contents include Metamorphosis of the Plant, Comparative Studies on Bones, Theory of Color (selection), Newton's Experiments

11.30-17.00 Sat/Sun June 5/6, July

3/4 August 7/8 in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Facilitator: Klaus Klier, Art Therapist, Psychotherapist, Dublin

Price: € 100 (Materials and light refreshments included)

Group size max. 8 Pers. Please inquire online for program and application form

a.space.forsoul@gmail.com

or ring Klaus on (00353) 86 373 4662

2010-03-03T23:54:00.000-08:00

Eithne the Pirate's Daughters

Performance March 19th and March 20th , 7:30 pm

Millenium Theatre, Limerick Institute of Technology

An original play performed by Raheen Wood Steiner School's class 7/8

This swashbuckling tale set in the 16th Century depicting heroes and heroines, spies and their masters, all eager for the acquisition

of new territories and the superb map making skills of Ben Reuben, the masterful Jewish mapmaker.

Set in Ireland, Portugal and Spain, the play shows how Donal O'Malley aids Ben Reuben to escape the Inquisition

and subsequently to secretly smuggle his maps while mistaken identities, dastardly attempts at subterfuge and espionage, confusion

and a sea battle rage about them.

This play comes out of our active learning programme, an approach which integrates many subjects and skills including history,geography, cartography, fencing, stage combat, tango, music and set building. Proceeds from the performances will go

to the the funding of the class trip to Italy to study Renaissance art and thinkers.

Christian Community

A reminder that there will be services on this Sunday in Tuamgraney

9.30am Children's service
10.30am Act of Consecration of Man
followed by refreshments and
a talk - Son of God, Son of Man in the Gospel of Mark

Childcare is provided during the Act of Consecration.
Donation requested

Contact:

Audrey Flynn
Correspondent for the Christian Community East Clare Congregation
and The Republic of Ireland
00353 (0)86 8887513

To contact Rev Malcolm Allsop 00353 (0)61 640967
The Christian Community House, Drewsborough,Tuamgraney, Co Clare

2010-01-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

ECEP presents
Open courses at Easter 2010
6 - 10 April

You are very welcome to join our foundation year students in the week following Easter.
This year’s topics are:

An Overview of Waldorf Education with Eugene Schwartz
Exploring the Temperaments through Masks with Allmut French
Eutony with Helene Roitinger
Clay Modelling with Ian Castles

Each topic is presented as a course over 7 hours.This is made up of a 1½ hour session each day for 4 days, Tuesday to Friday plus a shorter 1 hour session on Saturday.
Dates: 6th – 10th April. Venue: Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney, Co Clare
You can sign up for a single topic, and attend that session each day (€85 per topic) – OR – sign up for the whole week (€325 for the whole week course).
A warm and wholesome meal is available each day (pre booking essential, €50 for the week’s lunches)
Exact timings are still to be confirmed, but preliminary enquiries are welcome.
Contact training@steinerireland.org

2009-12-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

Michael Miklis of the Biodynamic Association in Ireland writes:

"Dear Friends,

You are welcome to participate in the making of the 3 King's Preparation*

as indicated by Hugo Erbe

on Tuesday the 5th of January

at 3 pm

in Camphill Jerpoint

please bring a saleable vessel for your prep.

Voluntary contribution towards costs are welcome

Please take not that I will give a talk right after the Three Kings' Preparation making on

Astronomy and the use of the Sowing and Planting Calendar by Maria & Mathias Thun.

Cost for this event is € 10

Charts and Calendars extra

Tea and Coffee included

Weather permitting we will also locate visible constellations and planets so be warmly wrapped,

looking forward to see you all!"

2009-12-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

Here are two items of news: the biodynamic calendar and DVDs for South African Waldorf Schools.

NOW AVAILABLE

*€ 11 P&P included*

Biodynamic Agricultural Association in Ireland

Camphill Jerpoint

Jerpoint

Co. KIlkenny

Tel 00353 051 347245

Light & Shadow Film

michael@lightandshadowfilm.com

www.lightandshadowfilm.com

In the run up to this Christmas I'm offering 25% off DVDs. For every 10 DVDs sold 1 DVD will be donated to help raise funds for the South African Waldorf schools.

I am originally from South Africa and my mother (Tessa Lovemore) has been working closely with the South African Federation of Waldorf Schools. There is a great demand and waiting lists for some of the schools yet they struggle with a lack of funding and experienced teachers.

My experience of what is happening now in South Africa is that there is still a legacy of the apartheid era affecting every aspect of life. Black Africans and coloured people of mixed origins who suffered under the apartheid regime are now suffering under poverty. The Waldorf schools are working to break down these barriers and create equality and an appreciation of differences.

You can watch a preview of the film and order copies through my website at www.lightandshadowfilm.com

Best wishes

Michael Lovemore

2009-12-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

Spirit in Matter 2009

A series of public lectures exploring aspects of Anthroposophy, the worldview of Rudolf Steiner.

The Christmas Story in the Gospels of St.Matthew and St.Luke

The Wisdom of Contradiction

An Illustrated Talk by Martin Henry

The Christmas Story in the Gospels has warmed and nourished many hearts down through the centuries, yet on close examination the stories reveal apparent and indeed striking contradictions. One hundred years ago Rudolf Steiner sought to make sense of these contradictions and so lead to a fuller and truer understanding of the nature of Christianity and the events of 2,000 years ago, which can continue to warm our hearts and to enlighten our thinking into future centuries.

Castalia Hall

Camphill Community Ballytobin

Callan

On Friday 11 December 2009 at 8p.m.

All are welcome! - Admission free. Seasonal refreshments.

Enquiries to Martin Henry at 087 7713224 martin33@eircom.net

2009-10-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

Spirit in Matter 2009
A series of public lectures exploring aspects of Anthroposophy, the worldview of Rudolf Steiner

Making the Invisible Visible
Practical techniques in the Art and Architecture of Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner, apart from his work in the realm of spirituality and its practical application in education, medicine etc. is also recognised as a pioneer of the “Organic” Architectural movement. His designs for the Goetheanum as headquarters for the anthroposophical movement in Switzerland are both original and breathtaking. The first building, which tragically burned down in 1922/3 was largely made of solid wood while its successor was possibly the first large scale reinforced concrete building in the world. Not only were these buildings themselves original but Steiner strove for new techniques in many materials to give expression to the aims of the building.

At
Castalia Hall
Camphill Community Ballytobin
Callan
On Friday 16 October 2009 at 8p.m.

All are welcome! - Admission free, contributions welcome!
Enquiries to Martin Henry
At 087 7713224 or mail to martin33@eircom.net

2009-10-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

Parent and Child Group, Killaloe, Co Clare
by Audrey Flynn

Our best wishes to Dawn Dickey, former Kindergarten teacher at Raheen Wood Steiner National School and her baby Tala who with Brona Moriarity, Resource Centre Administrator and Raheen Wood School parent, are starting this Parent and Child group in Killaloe, Co Clare - Lucky parents and children to have this available to them.

Parent and Child Group.

Every Friday 10am-12. Inviting Dads, Mums, Mums-to-be, Grannies and Grandads, Childminders, Carers and anyone interested to attend a fun and relaxed morning featuring painting, baking, singing, storytelling, parenting study group, crafts to make and bring home & much more . . . following the holistic philosophy of Steiner/Waldorf Education

Venue: Killaloe/Ballina Community & Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Killaloe

Contact: Brona 061-374741 or Dawn 085-1121524

(Donations or loan of natural toys, art materials and other Waldorf things needed. Kindly contact Brona and Dawn)

2009-10-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

For news on Steiner Waldorf kindergartens check out the ISKA online newsletter:

ISKA_News_Auumn2009.pdf

or phone 061 927 944 for a paper copy

2009-10-10T08:10:00.001-07:00

2009-10-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

2009-09-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

Breath and the Word

A Workshop for Teachers and Parents of Young Chidren led by Nell Smyth

By uncovering the natural breathing rhythm we discover the power of our voice, the imagination and our intuition in working with children.

This workshop will:
Help us to connect with our own individual breathing rhythm
Help to strengthen our own vitality and capacity for patience
Help us to be more intuitive and supportive of children`s physical and developmental needs
Help us to build the connection between the physical body and language development through poetry, song and storytelling
Increase confidence and creativity in creating our own verses and stories
Deepen the awareness of how the different parts of our being are integrated

Nell Smyth is a Steiner teacher, teacher trainer and workshop leader with over 25 years experience. She has worked with all ages from 2 years to 82 years in both America and Europe. She is also a Middendorf Breath Practitioner of many years standing, a faculty member of the Institute for Breath Experience in San Francisco`s Bay Area and the author of ` The Breathing Circle: learning through the movement of the breath`

For more information phone 085 788 4851 or email penelopesmythe@gmail.com

2009-09-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

2009-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

* New Foundation Year *

one year part-time course starts September 2009

in Tuamgraney, County Clare

The Foundation Year is designed as an orientation year for the kindergarten and class teacher training but it also stands as an autonomous one year introductory course. This course in anthroposophical studies will be of interest to those looking for an introduction to the work of Rudolf Steiner combined with a foundation course in the arts.

Pedagogical Years One and Two

These two years focus on teacher development and child development and will prepare students to work within a Waldorf kindergarten or primary school. These years include: simple crafts, storytelling, puppetry, seasonal festivals, practical work in the kindergarten, child observation, health and parenting issues, work with the angels and inner development.

The course takes place at Raheen Wood Steiner School in Tuamgraney, Co.Clare and is composed of:

• 8 weekend sessions (Friday evening to Saturday 5.30pm)

• Three 5-day Residential sessions in October/November, April and July,

(coinciding with school holidays at Halloween, Easter and the summer break)

Course fee for the Foundation Year: €1850

Applications with deposit of €300 (non refundable) by 6^th August 2009

for more information on the Foundation Year, please contact: Ruth Marshall

tel: 061 473866 email: training@steinerireland.org

www.steinerireland.org/training/

Early Childhood Education Programme

providing a wide range of high quality training courses developed out of anthroposophy

2009-07-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

* New Foundation Year *

one year part-time course starts September 2009 in Tuamgraney, County Clare

The Foundation Year is designed as an orientation year for the kindergarten and class teacher training but it also stands as an autonomous one year introductory course. This course in anthroposophical studies will be of interest to those looking for an introduction to the work of Rudolf Steiner combined with a foundation course in the arts.

Pedagogical Years One and Two
These two years focus on teacher development and child development and will

prepare students to work within a Waldorf kindergarten or primary school. These years include: simple crafts, storytelling, puppetry, seasonal festivals, practical work in the kindergarten, child observation, health and parenting issues, work with the angels and inner development.

The course takes place at Raheen Wood Steiner School in Tuamgraney, Co.Clare
and is composed of:
• 8 weekend sessions (Friday evening to Saturday 5.30pm)
• Three 5-day Residential sessions in October/November, April and July,
(coinciding with school holidays at Halloween, Easter and the summer break)

Course fee for the Foundation Year: €1850
Applications with deposit of €300 (non refundable) by 6th August 2009

for more information on the Foundation Year, please contact:
Ruth Marshall, tel: 061 473866 email: training@steinerireland.org
www.steinerireland.org/training/

Early Childhood Education Programme: providing a wide range of high quality training courses developed out of anthroposophy

2009-07-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

July 24th, 11 am, at Cloughjordan Community Farm.

See a wide range of not so common Cereals, inclduding Spelt, Rye, Irish Heritage Oats and a Winter Wheat evolution row (from primitive grasses to two days bread wheat.
Hosted by biodynamic gardener Wiebe.
In the afternoon at 4 pm there will be a tour of Vincent and Liam O ‘Sullivan's Coolahill farm in County Laois to see their Irish Heritage Oats Ardri and Sonas

July 31st, 11 am at Camphill Jerpoint Thomastown Co. Kilkenny

Visite the Spring Wheat evolution row and 30 other small propagation plots
Also Heritage Oats Cafferys No2 the most undervalued one!

IMPORTANT:
You must register for these events and voluntary contributions for the BDAAI and the hosts are welcome!

Please note, you might also be treated to some culinary experiences and in order to cater for this it is essential to book your intent by the July 10th via email or telephone (see below).
Looking forward to seeing you all!

Kind regards,
Michael Miklis
Biodynamic Agricultural Association in Ireland Tel. / 051-347245
tel. 051 347245 skype biodyn.ie
Email bdaai@indigo.ie www.biodynamic.ie
Camphill Jerpoint, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

2009-06-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

Spirit in Matter 2009 -- A Series of Talks

This lecture series aims to introduce some basic aspects of Steiner’s philosophy and their application in life. “Anthroposophy is a path of knowledge which leads the spiritual in the human being to the spiritual in the Universe”

Rudolf Steiner (1861- 1925) is probably best known today as the inaugurator of Waldorf or Steiner education, and as a forerunner in the organic agriculture movement. What is perhaps less known is that these initiatives of his have their genesis in his philosophy of the human being and the world, which he called “Anthroposophy.”

According to Steiner, there are two worlds; the earthly and the spiritual. The human being originated in the spiritual world but in the course of development became separated from it. Steiner was insistent that without this estrangement no development of human independence, thinking and creativity could have come about. He also asserted that in our time it is not only possible, but also necessary for our relationship to the spiritual world to be restored, if human progress is to continue.

Steiner’s work covers a broad spectrum and presents us with a paradigm that challenges the reductionist approach threatening to permeate every facet of our lives. No idle dreamer, Steiner foresaw that a spiritual understanding of the human being and the world could lead to a renewal and transformation of all aspects of human activity. His work has borne fruit in spiritual research and inner work, and in a host of practical applications such as education, social renewal, the Arts, the Camphill movement and many others.

Timetable:

Friday 28 August 2009 8p.m.
“What Happens when we Die ?” Exploring life, death and destiny. Martin Henry
Friday 25 September 2009 8p.m.
“From Natural Science to Spiritual Science” Dr. Nick Blitz M.B.
Friday 16 October 2009 8p.m.
“Making the Invisible Visible” Practical techniques in the Art and Architecture of Rudolf Steiner. Andre van Schaijk and John S. Clarke
Saturday 24 October 2009 (10am to 5pm)
“From Crystal Caverns to Computer Screens” A workshop with experiments. Dr. Malin Starrett Limited to 15 participants. Cost for day 20 euro. Places must be booked.
(Refreshments provided)
Friday 20 November 2009 8p.m.
“The Discipline of Speech Formation” Revival of the Bardic tradition. Danijel Grcevic
Friday 11 December 2009 8p.m.
“The Christmas story in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke” The wisdom of contradiction. An illustrated talk. Martin Henry

Venue:

Castalia Hall, Camphill Community, Ballytobin, Callan Talks are free, donations are welcome! Enquiries and bookings to Martin Henry At 087 7713224 or martin33@eircom.net

2009-06-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Murphys Ice Cream and Powerscourt Townhouse Cafe would like to invite you to an ice cream party to celebrate the addition of a Murphys Ice Cream scooping cabinet to the cafe.

19th June 2009, 4-7 pm
Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.

The theme of the party is "Pride of Place," and the ice cream flavours will incorporate some of our favourite Irish foods and drinks, including Bluebell Falls Cheese, Porterhouse Beer, Kilbeggan Whiskey, Lorge Chocolates, McCambridges Brown Bread, Eden Apple Brandy (and Irish Apples), and Connemara's finest seaweed.

Families and children welcome
www.murphysicecream.ie

2009-05-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 24th at 4pm
"The Ideal Education For Children Today"
a lecture by Jonathan Angus
in the Unitarian Church, St Stephen's Green, Dublin
(closest church to Luas end stop)
Suggested donation 10 Euro

2009-05-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends please take note of the upcoming event.
We hope that you will be able to support our efforts to get Ml. Weiler to Ireland, it would be great if you could attend, If you can't , the second best might be M. Weiler's Book

BEES & HONEY From Flower to Jar
price € 12.00 + P&P
from the BDAAI Camphill Jerpoint Thomastown Co. Kilkenny c/o Michael Miklis

PROGRAMME
Monday, May 25th
Arrival and registration 20.00 Opening public talk

The Honey Bee – Threatened Friend and Pollinator’

Tuesday, May 26th
9.30 ‘Introduction to the World of Bees’
11.00 Break
11.30 ‘Life in the Hive’
13.00 Lunch
14.30 Visit the hives
16.00 Break
16.30 ‘The importance of swarming
18.00 Supper
19.30 Film: Bees on the Heather Moor

Wednesday, May 27th
9.30 Flowers and Bee Pasture’
11.00 Break
11.30 ‘Honey with care’
13.00 Lunch
14.30 Questions and Matters arising / Bee dances
16.00 Break
16.30 ‘How to adress the threat facing our bees’
18.00 Supper

Thursday, May 28th
9.30 Reducing stress, enhancing Vitality
11.00 Break
11.30 Concluding discussion
12.30 Departure

Booking and Registration:
Please notify Stefan Koenig (085 2727323) stefan6160@yahoo.de

Fee €75. including meals and refreshments. Accomodation can be arranged, if needed.

Venue: Castalia Hall, Camphill Ballytobin, Callan, Co. Kilkenny
Directions to Ballytobin:_* Callan lies on the mainroad between Clonmel and Kilkenny. At the main crossroads in Callan, turn into Mill Street, which leads out of the town past a builders merchant on the right. Follow the very straight road (about 3 miles) until the bend at the end, where you turn left twice. After another 200 meters, Camphill Ballytobin is on your right.

One of the sessions will be a visit to a hive. Please bring beesuits if you have any.

Michael Weiler: was born in Germany in 1956. He studied agriculture and after graduating in 1986 worked as an agricultural advisor. He then undertook a training course in Waldorf education and taught for several years at a school for children with special needs. He has a family with five children. He has managed his own apiary since 1982 and regularly gives lectures and courses on biodynamic bee keeping. Since 2003 he has been living near Stuttgart in the context of a village community (similar to Camphill) and runs a health food shop alongside his work as a biodynamic bee-keeping advisor.

2009-05-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Spirit in Matter 2009
Lecture: Bringing Light into Human Encounter
Finding sources of healing for personal and interpersonal crises
With John O'Connor, Gladys Lydon and Aine Taylor

This, the next in a series of public lectures concerning Anthroposophy, the worldview of Rudolf Steiner, will take place on Friday, 29th of May at 8pm
at the New School Building, Camphill Community, Ballytobin, Callan.

It will turn to questions of human encounter, relationships and the art of counselling.
All are welcome.
For more informations: Martin Henry 087 771 3224 martin33@eircom.net

2009-05-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
For the first time, it may soon be possible to receive a recognised degree in Steiner Waldorf Education in Ireland. Much work has already gone into creating a wonderfully engaging two year curriculum by a team from Sligo Institute of Technology and the Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association, in anticipation of beginning the course in the Autumn of 2010. In the next months the proposal will be brought forward for confirmation. One of the essential pieces is to show that, in fact, there is significant interest in a Steiner/Waldorf-based Masters degree in Early Childhood Education.

That's where you come in. Jonathan Angus, Co-director of the ISKA Early Childhood Education Programme has prepared an easy-to-complete survey which he is asking people to fill in. There is no need to commit to anything, only to voice interest in such a course. If enough people respond, it will be clear that the time has come to begin such a programme.

Please support this initiative by emailing Jonathan for a copy of the survey.
jonathan.angus@gmail.com

It would also be helpful for you to send this request on to anyone that you know who might have an interest in helping to bring about this development.
Thank you for your help forging this exciting new pathway for the recognition of Steiner Waldorf Early Years teachers.

PS. It should be noted that completion of any prior degree programmes would not be a prerequisite to join this course. Third and Fourth level education has become far more inclusive in recent years, and Sligo IT is progressive in using Recognition of Prior Learning (often through work and life experience) to enroll mature students.

2009-03-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

As many of you already know, a special opportunity is coming up in April.

A series of courses will take place at Raheen Wood Steiner School in County Clare during the week from April 14 - 18 on Steiner Waldorf Education themes. These courses are appropriate for teachers, parents, and anyone with an interest in self development.

Sign up for an Overview of Steiner Waldorf Education, Artistic Speech, Using Masks to Explore Personality Types, Watercolour Painting, or any combination of the above. Participants are sure to learn more about themselves and at the same time discover why Waldorf education is so unique and valuable in this time.

The educational talks will be presented with warmth and humour by noted author and teacher trainer Eugene Schwartz. This occasion is his first visit to Ireland. If you'd like to know more about his work, you can visit his website at http://millennialchild.com/index.html

Call Ruth Marshall to register at 061 473 866, or feel free to phone me with any further questions.

This week long series is the open portion of the Foundation Year, the first section of the training in Steiner Waldorf Early Years, Primary, or Resource Teacher training. For more information on one or more of these programmes, reply to this email.

Warm Regards,
Jonathan Angus
087 325 9372

2009-03-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Click on picture to read

2009-03-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

The Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association and
Galway Steiner/Steiner na Gaillimhe Kindergarten Initiative Group
Present
a Workshop with Grace Burton

above Ard Bia at Nimmo's beside Spanish Arch, Galway City on
Creative Parenting of Children under Seven Years
With an emphasis on child development.
The workshop will also include wool felting as an artistic activity and serve as an introduction to Steiner Education.

Sunday 29th March 09 10am-4pm

Cost: €50 (ISKA members €25)possible to become a member on booking
Lunch available in Ard Bia, cost not included
Bookings – Gabrielle - tel: 086 1514492

followed by A PUBLIC MEETING at 4.15pm
to form a committee to work towards starting a Steiner Kindergarten in Galway City. All interested welcome.
www.steinerireland.org

2009-02-21T16:12:00.000-08:00

The Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association Presents

A Workshop
with Grace Burton
at Mol an Oige Steiner National School,
Ennistymon, Co Clare, (Next to Vocational School)

Working with Children
How to Create a Healthy Rhythm
Including child development, working with nature, creating a nature table, the importance of play, use of natural materials for craft and play.
The Workshop is suitable for childcare workers in a variety of settings including preschool, after school, creche and kindergarten.

Grace Burton was a founding member of Morning Star Kindergarten
and has worked as a Kindergarten Assistant, Teacher and Afternoon Care Leader
as well as running workshops and children's craft camps.

Saturday 28th February 2009
10am – 4.30pm
Cost: €50 (ISKA members €25)
possible to become a member on booking
Bring Food for a Bring and Share Lunch
Bookings-Kate Haren-087 4179657 after 3pm

2009-02-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

“Anthroposophy is a path of knowledge which leads the spiritual in the human being to the spiritual in the Universe”

A SERIES OF MONTHLY LECTURES

Dear folks,
I’m attaching the programme for a cycle of lectures and workshops entitled “ Spirit in Matter”, which will be taking place here in Ballytobin during the course of 2009. These are public lectures and it is the hope that they will attract participants from a wide variety of backgrounds, the talks themselves will cover a wide spectrum of areas of interest.
I would like to warmly invite you to attend and I would also be very grateful if you could bring them to the attention of any group or person who you think might have an interest in any of the content. Also please feel free to forward this message to anyone else.
Thank you
Martin Henry, Camphill Community, Ballytobin, Callan, County Wicklow

Rudolf Steiner (1861- 1925) is probably best known today as the inaugurator of Waldorf or Steiner education, and as a forerunner in the organic agriculture movement.
What is perhaps less known is that these initiatives of his, have their genesis in his philosophy of the human being and the world, which he called
“Anthroposophy.”

According to Steiner, there are two worlds; the earthly and the spiritual. The human being originated in the spiritual world but in the course of development became separated from it. Steiner was insistent that without this estrangement no development of human independence, thinking and creativity could have come about. He also asserted that in our time it is not only possible, but also necessary for our relationship to the spiritual world to be restored, if human progress is to continue.

Steiner’s work covers a broad spectrum and presents us with a paradigm that challenges the reductionist approach which threatens to permeate every facet of our lives. No idle dreamer, Steiner foresaw that a spiritual understanding of the human being and the world could lead to a renewal and transformation of all aspects of human activity. His work has borne fruit in spiritual research and inner work, and in a host of practical applications such as education, social renewal, the Arts, the Camphill movement and many others.

This lecture series aims to introduce some basic aspects of Steiner’s philosophy and their application in life.

Timetable of events

Friday 6 March 2009 8 p.m.
“Who was Rudolf Steiner, what is Anthroposophy?”
An illustrated introduction.
Martin Henry

Friday 3 April 2009 8 p.m.
“Agriculture for the “Futures.” Banking futures or our futures?
Michael Miklis

Friday 1 May 2009 8 p.m.
“Contemporary Spirituality – Does the Irish High Cross have a message?”
A personal odyssey.
Mark Dwan

Friday 29 May 8 p.m.
"Bringing Light into Human Encounter" Finding sources of healing for personal and interpersonal crises.
John O'Connor, Gladys Lydon and others

Thursday 18 June 8 p.m.
"Meditation, the Path to Pure Thinking."
Sean Byrne

Friday 28 August 8 p.m.
"What Happens when we Die?" Exploring life, death and destiny,
Martin Henry

Friday 25 September 8 p.m.
"From Natural Science to Spiritual Science."
Dr Nick Blitz, M.B.

Friday 16 October 8 p.m.
"Making the Invisible Visible" Practical techniques in the Art and Architecture of Rudolf Steiner.
Andre van Schaijk and John S. Clarke

Saturday 24 October (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
"From Crystal Caverns to Computer Screens." A workshop with experiments. Limited to 15 participants. Places must be booked (Refreshments provided).
Dr Malin Starrett

Friday 20 November 8 p.m.
"The Discipline of Speech Formation." Revival of the Bardic tradition.
Danijel Grcevic

Friday 11 December 8 p.m.
"The Christmas story in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke." The wisdom of contradiction.
An illustrated talk.
Martin Henry

2009-02-21T15:34:00.001-08:00

The Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association Presents
A Workshop with Ulrike Farnleitner and Linda Grant
at Crannog na Leanai,
Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford
on
Table Puppets
Make simple figures suitable for a nature table, puppet play or imaginative play

Ulrike Farnleitner is a Kindergarten Teacher and Linda Grant is an artist.
Both love working with natural materials and sharing how easy it is to create simple figures to illustrate a story or decorate a nature table.

Saturday 21st March 2009
Time – 9.30am for 10am start - 4pm
Suitable for Childcare Workers, Parents, Grandparents, Students and Children over 10yrs. No experience necessary, materials provided

Cost: €50 (ISKA members, Students, Children €25)
possible to become a member on booking
Bring some food for a bring and share lunch
Bookings-Cathy Lee tel: 087 6254863
www.steinerireland.org

2009-02-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

open courses
at Easter 2009
5 days : 14th - 18th April, 9.00am - 5.00pm
at Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney, Co Clare

Early Childhood Education

You are welcome to join the students on the Early Childhood Education Programme for five days of classes on interesting and creative themes:
An Overview of Steiner Waldorf Education : with Eugene Schwartz
Creative Speech : with Christel Haupt
Watercolour Painting : with Ian Castles
Exploring our Temperaments through Drama and Masks : with Allmut Ffrench

Cost: 85 euros per topic for 5 days
375 euros for full week's programme, including a cooked lunch
Prior booking essential
For more information or to book a place please contact Ruth on tel: 061-473866
or email: training@steinerireland.org

2009-02-21T15:05:00.000-08:00

click on image for enlargement

2009-02-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

Check out the very lovely newsletter sent to Audrey Flynn from Nepal including seminars, Waldorf School etc:
http://www.childrenofnepal.org/newsandevents/newsletter_xmas2008.html

2009-02-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

2009-02-12T02:46:00.000-08:00

Barn Dance!!!
ALFA is holding a fundraising, hell raising, dust kickin' American style
Barn dance on Friday February 20th in the Mountshannon Hotel.
The OldTimey music is by Moonshine - Lena Ullman banjo, Johnny Moynihan -
accordian, mandolin etc, Brendan Hearty guitar, a fiddle player and the
real deal caller Frank Hall. This is a great night of music and dancing
for all those of you who enjoy a laugh - everyone is a beginner! You
don't need partners - just bring yourself.
The doors open at 9pm and the first dance will be called at 9.30 pm.
Entrance is €10 and there is a bar.

Y'ALL BE THERE!!!

2008-12-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

Gentle Rain Theatre Company, Dublin

Paul Brennan reports: It has been an exciting inception year for the company. Eight workshops in the Michael Chekhov technique were held during the course of the year, five introductory, two continuing and one advanced.

Links were made to the Theatre Forum, the Irish Theatre Institute, Business to Arts and the Michael Chekhov Europe organisation.

photos by Katie Reynolds

Paul Brennan second from left

Here is an abridged description of the September Michael Chekhov workshop by the Theatre Forum:

'The goal of these workshops is to bring a new impulse into the theatrical profession in Ireland, and ultimately to establish Gentle Rain as a permanent theatre company working with Michael Chekhov technique.

Newcomers to the technique are led into psycho-physical exercises, improvisatory and ensemble work, to experience a taste of Chekhov’s techniques through the free expression of the creative self.

Course Director Paul Brennan has worked in the theatre as an actor, director and teacher for over thirty years, and has brought Chekhov technique into his productions for the past eight years. He has taught the technique at universities and professional workshops across Ireland'.

Your interest in and support of this promising initiative is crucial to its success. For more information contact Paul Brennan at

apecf1@eircom.net

2008-12-18T05:03:00.000-08:00

The Cork Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten, located at the Quaker Meeting Hall in Summerhill, South Cork, will be moving to Susies Field, Blackpool, Cork in September. The new kindergarten is designed by the city council.

The kindergarten provides a warm safe and healthy environment for children to develop strong limbs, sound creative minds and respect for each other. Imaginative play is given plenty of time both indoors and outdoors and each day a different artistic activity, painting, drawing, crafts, modeling and gardening, takes place. Songs, stories and poems are also an integral part of the day.

Inquiries: Gail Thomas, 021 431 0581 or 087 774 8299

2008-12-10T02:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas Events at the Christian Community in Clare
Christmas Eve, December 24th
Gathering at the community house for all at 5 pm
Gathering to celebrate Christmas 11.45 pm
Saturday, January 3rd 8 pm
Schooling Course part II
Sunday, January 4th
Act of Consecration of Man and Children’s Service. Programme to be announced.

Gospel Readings
Sunday, December 14 … Luke 21:25-36
Sunday, December 21 … Luke 21:25-36
Christmas
Thursday, December 25
Midnight … Matthew 1:1-25
Dawn … Luke 2:1-20
Morning … John 21:15-25
Epiphany
Tuesday, January 6 … Matthew 2:1-12
Sunday, January 11 … Matthew 2:1-12
Sunday, January 18 … Luke 2:41-52
Sunday, January 25 … John 2:1-11
Sunday, February 1 … Mark 2:1-13
Sunday, February 8 … Matthew 20: 1-16
Sunday, February 15 … Luke 8: 1-18
Sunday, February 22 … Luke 18:18-34

Rev. Tom Ravetz 22 Baylie Street, Stourbridge West Midlands UK DY8 1AZ

Phone: 0044 1384 377 190 whilst in Ireland: 087 6486617 tom@ravetz.org.uk

Congregational Correspondent
Anne Benhamanne.benham@yahoo.ie
Treasurer
Fred Hannaford fredhan@iol.ieTel: 061 37 53 91The Christian Community,Bank of Ireland,Killcullen, County Kildare,Sort code: 90-11-40Account number: 25600184
Bookings for the House
Agnes Oertel 087 2185560.
Programme/Newssheet
Please send any articles to Anne Benham.

2008-10-27T10:21:00.001-07:00

Click on image below to enlarge

2008-10-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

2008-10-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

STEINER WALDORF SCHOOLS FELLOWSHIP
NATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE
(Organized by the Steiner Waldorf Early Years Group SWEYG)
Saturday 22nd November 2008. 9.30-4.00pm at
University of East London, Docklands Campus 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD

PROGRAMME

9.30 Registration and Coffee
10.00 Singing
Keynote lecture by Joan Almon
Joan Almon was a Waldorf educator of children and teachers for over thirty years. At present she is Chair of the U.S. Alliance for Childhood, which is focused on restoring play to the lives of children.
12.00 Workshops and Discussion groups on the theme
Workshops – Eurythmy, drama, play facilitation, ring time as food for play.
Discussion groups – birth to three, three to six year olds
1.00 Lunch provided at UEL
There will be an SWSF bookshop open during the lunch hour
2.00 Workshops and Discussion groups on the theme
Workshops – Eurythmy, drama, play facilitation, ring time as food for play.
Discussion groups – birth to three, three to six year olds
3.00 Plenum discussion with Joan Almon
4.00 Finish

APPLICATION FORM

NATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE

Saturday 22nd November 2008
Conference fee: £40.00 not refundable - for SWSF members *
Two or more from same setting £30.00 each
Late booking (members) £50.00 after October 31st not refundable
Non members £70.00 not refundable
Late bookings (non members) £80.00 after October 31st not refundable
* Members are those schools & settings in the SWSF directory; conferences are discounted for member schools
Cheques payable to SWSF please send with the booking form
Please return ASAP to: 11 Church Street, Stourbridge DY8 7LT
Phone 01384 374116, fax 01384 374142
admin@steinerwaldorf.org

Setting:

Name(s):

Address:

Email: Home phone:

I enclose a cheque for:

Your booking is not finalized until payment is made so please send payment with application form.
If your setting wishes to apply to the travel fund (amounts over the first £30.00) please tick here and a form will be sent to you.
Please note that all participants will be able to attend one workshop and one discussion group. Please indicate your preferences:
Area of interest for discussion groups – Please tick one

Birth to Three

Three to Six

Order of preference for workshops (please bring soft indoor shoes):

Please indicate 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th choices
Eurythmy with Eve McGregor
Play facilitation with Penny Tassoni
Drama with Sue Marshall
‘Ring time as food for play’ with Caroline Glas

2008-10-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

HEART Course presents: An Introduction to the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading, writing and spelling by Guest Lecturer Wendy Elliot, Friday October 10, 7:30-9:00
Saturday October 11, 10:00-5:30

Wendy Elliot, lecturer at Trinity College and University College Dublin, advisor to the Department of Education and the Irish Dyslexia Association, will present a weekend workshop introducing the Orton Gillingham method.

This approach to reading, writing and spelling instruction is language-based, multisensory, structured, sequential, cumulative, cognitive and flexible. These techniques are used often in one-on-one tutorials. An intensive sequential phonics-based system reaches the basics of word formation before whole meanings. The method accommodates and utilizes the three learning modalities, or pathways, through which people learn--visual, auditory and kinesthetic.

Venue: Raheen Wood School, Tuamgrane, County Clare
Cost for the Workshop, including reading pack, vegetarian lunch and snacks: 120.00 Euros

For more information on HEART and/or the Workshop contact vcrombie@gmail.com or call 087 325 9372

2008-08-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Learn to be a Waldorf Teacher

The Waldorf Teacher Training Foundation Year is designed as an orientation year for the kindergarten and class teacher training but it also stands as an autonomous one year introductory course in anthroposophical studies and will be of interest to those looking for an introduction to the work of Rudolf Steiner combined with a foundation course in the arts.

Course Structure
The course takes place at Raheen Wood Steiner School in Tuamgraney, Co.Clare and has the following elements:
• Guided study in a study group.
• 8 weekend sessions starting Friday evening and ending at 5.30pm on Saturday.
• Three 5-day Residential sessions in October/November, April and July, coinciding with school holidays at Halloween, Easter and the summer break.

Dates - 2008/2009
Weekend 1 Fri 12 Sep 7.30-9.30pm; Sat 13Sep 8.30am-5.30pm
Weekend 2: Fri 3rd/Sat 4th October
Weekend 3: Fri 5th/Sat 6th December
Weekend 4: Fri 9th/Sat 10th January
Weekend 5: Fri 6th/Sat 7th February
Weekend 6: Fri 6th/Sat 7th March
Weekend 7: Fri 8th /Sat 9th May
Weekend 8: Fri 5th/Sat 6th June

Week1: Tues 28 Oct - Sat 1 Nov; 8.45am—5.30pm each day
Week 2: Tues 14 - 18 April
Week 3: Tues 30 June - Sat 4 July (this date may change, due to venue availability)

The Venue
The course venue is Raheen Wood Steiner School in Tuamgraney, Co. Clare, on the edge of woodland close to Lough Derg and the 1000 year old Brian Boru oak tree.
Course Fee
The fee for the Foundation Year is €1650

To Apply
To apply for a place, please send a letter of intent, including a short biographical sketch, along with a deposit of €250 (payable to "ECEP") to Early Childhood Education Programme, c/o Ruth Marshall, Ballymacdonnell, Bodyke, County Clare

Email: training@steinerireland.org

2008-07-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Search for Teachers

"Ballyhall Kindergarten" Ballyhall, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
Our Kindergarten is wishing to employ a Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten teacher from September2008. Ballyhall Kindergarten is set in the picturesque countryside approximately 15km from Kilkenny city in the south east of Ireland.
We are a full day care facility operating Monday – Friday 9am to 2.30pm. We offer a young, positive, friendly and supportive atmosphere. The ideal candidate will have a qualification as a Steiner Waldorf Teacher and be responsible for the care and welfare of children in the kindergarten, working as part of a team.
Fixed term contract from 1st September, 2008 to 31st August, 2009.
If you would like to join our team here at Ballyhall Kindergarten please contact Carol McDonald at 087/9806788 or Brahim Largate at 087/7725725.

Kindergarten Teacher: Kildare Steiner Waldorf School,
Rathargid, Gormanstown, Dunlavin, Co. Kildare
Teacher needed for growing Kindergarten. Current class is full with a waiting list. A Teacher is required to join the current teacher in further developing our group. The ideal candidate would be a trained Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten teacher (or close to training completion), enthusiastic, self-motivated, and able to work well with other teachers. The position would begin in September, 2008 and ideally accommodate additional numbers in the kindergarten leading to two full kindergartens. Our Kindergarten is on our campus, which also includes a primary (lower) Waldorf school, in the lush countryside of County Kildare.
For applications or further information:
Email: info@kildaresteinerschool.org
Web site: kildaresteinerschool.org
Tel: +353 (0)45 401919
Mobile: +353 87 6202783

Assistant: Cork Steiner Kindergarten (February 2008)
The Cork Steiner Kindergarten at Summerhill North, Cork City, is currently looking to recruit an assistant to work with our two kindergarten teachers, starting from September 2008. The ideal candidate will have training in Steiner early childhood education or a strong interest in same with a willingness to undergo training with the support of the kindergarten. As Ireland boasts a wonderful part time teacher training programme this would be a fantastic opportunity for someone to work in a kindergarten while training to be a Steiner kindergarten teacher. For Further details please forward your c.v. with a letter of application to Janemaeve@yahoo.co.uk.

2008-07-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.templehouse.ie/concert/index.htmloncert
Concert in TEMPLE HOUSE, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Virtuoso flautist Karin Leitner and harpist Krassimira Ziegler
July 11th 8pm
€30.00 to include:
Wine Interval & Concert Recital

2008-06-08T16:28:00.000-07:00

The Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association Presents
A Workshop with Helle Heckmannat Mourne Grange, 169 Newry Rd, Kilkeel, Co Down
A Modern Child in a Modern World The needs of todays children and parents.
HELLE HECKMANN is from Copenhagen, Denmark and founder of Nøkken, her child care program for children aged from when they can walk to 7 years, where most of their time is spent out doors. Helle is active in teacher education throughout the world, visiting classrooms and supporting teachers in North and South America, and Europe. Her book, Nøkken, has inspired many early childhood teachers.
Saturday 14th June 08 9.30am-2.30pm Cost: £30 (ISKA members £20)Lunch IncludedBookings-Karin Shea tel: 0044 28 41760104www.steinerireland.org

2008-05-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sean and Kieran Murphy, two former Waldorf students now living in Kerry have created a beautiful new ice cream cookbook. The Book of Sweet Things is now available on amazon.co.uk as well as in Irish bookshops both North and South.

2008-05-24T11:06:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday Johannes Moora from Camphill Glencraig brought two German musicians to Dingle. For the story, click on http://sessionsounds.blogspot.com/

2008-05-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

The ALFA Project, Active Learning for Adolescents, Steiner-based, secondary education in Co. Clare,Ireland, seeks to fill the following positions:o One full-time and two part-time experienced teachers of both academic and craft subjects who will carry the work with young people from 13-16. Understanding of Steiner Education essential. o Researcher, who will research 'active learning' and Steiner Education to further the work of Alfa.
For full job descriptions and specs contact; Peggy Boyle, The ALFA Project;Main St., Scarriff; Co Clare, office@alfaproject.org or Tel 353-(0)61- 640798. See our website at www.alfaproject.org

2008-04-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

Festival at Raheen Wood School

Last Friday evening, April 25, a group met at the Raheen Wood Steiner School to discuss a teacher training program in Steiner education. The school was decked out for its Spring festival the next days. Here are some photos of the offerings.

Lovely, aren't they?

2008-04-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

Gardeners and Growers!
Prelude for the upcoming activities of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association of Ireland (see events list below)

Have you ever hear of Ehrenfried Pfeiffer? As an organic farmer or gardener you might have read one of his books: Grow a Garden & Be Self Sufficient—still the best introduction to organic-biodynamic horticulture. (copies available from the Office of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association, Watergarden Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, €12.50)

Here’s an extract from an article on Pfeiffer by A.W. Martinez, Collier’s, May 31, 1952. (for the full article see http://rotheraine.com/golden_garbage.html):

The City With Golden Garbage?
Trained bacteria, turned loose on the refuse of Oakland, Cal., produce a rich, sweet-smelling fertilizer that’s guaranteed to perform near miracles for farm land. It’s like backyard compost, and it could save the nation billions of dollars.

Dr. Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer, German-born biochemist
One morning in October, 1950, two strangers walked into the office of Tony Dalcino, president of the Oakland Scavenger Company, with a proposition that turned Dalcino’s casual smile into a look of utter disbelief. His callers wanted to know whether the company would let them have part of the daily haul of garbage from the city of Oakland, California. They hoped, they said, to put the garbage on an assembly line and sell it!

The two visitors were Richard Stovroff, a young owner of a wastepaper business in Buffalo, New York. The other was Dr. Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer, German-born biochemist, holder of an honorary U.S. medical degree, and lifelong experimenter with new ways to grow better food.

Pfeiffer, a tall, robust, pink-cheeked man with an infectious twinkle, explained. In the course of his researches he had discovered a new ‘race” of bacteria which converts garbage into a sweet-smelling black earth fertilizer which could perform virtual miracles for the land. A tablespoon of the bacteria, grown in test tubes, could turn a ton of garbage into rich humus in three weeks.
Pfeiffer told Dalcino: “It costs the American taxpayers a few billion dollars a year when we throw away as garbage the precious minerals and organic material we take out of the soil in the form of food. At the same time it costs farmers nearly $7,000,000,000 a year to put some of these minerals back in the ground in the form of chemical fertilizers. That doesn’t make sense.” He had, he added, decided to do something about it ever since his arrival in the U.S. in 1940 as a refugee from war-ravaged Europe.

In control tests at Pfeiffer’s Biochemical Research Laboratory at Spring Valley, New York, vegetables grown in this converted garbage weighed 25 per cent more than those grown with conventional fertilizers, with from one to three times more vitamin A. The garbage-compost treated soil showed from one to four times as much life-giving nitrogen, and grain showed a consistently higher protein content. Laboratory experiments proved that the mixture could restore even sterile sandy soil to vigorous fertility and make rich farm land out of desert if adequate water was available. The converted garbage restored organic matter, mineral balance and structure, giving soil body, and permitting it to absorb and hold water. The organic matter released a powerful concentration of bacteria whose digestive activities and decay created plant foods, soil-binding humus and released nitrogen.

Alas, the city of Oakland did not take Pfeiffer up on his offer. Now, half a century on, have we moved on, or found anything better?

We invite everyone interested in learning more about Pfeiffer’s biodynamic approach to composting farmyard manure and barrel composting to participate under the Skillnet programme at the following venues and events:

11 AM – 4 PM on each of the following dates:
May 9, June 6, and July 4, plus a date in September to be confirmed,
at Camphill Jerpoint, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
or
May 16, June 13, and July 11 plus a date in September to be confirmed
at John McDonnell’s farm, Shalvanstown Organics,
Slane, Co Meath

We will also assess the state of the compost via microscopy in order to establish the soil-food-web and create “Barrel Compost” the backyard gardeners gold ! Please bring appropriate clothing, overalls, boots, (a dungfork if you can)

Registration prior to the events essential at the BdAAI office

We look forward to seeing you all, as we will hardly have another 50 years to move to a sustainable agriculture!

-- Michael Miklis, Biodynamic Agricultural Association in Ireland, Watergarden, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Tel. / Fax. 056-7754214, Email bdaai@indigo.ie
Website www.biodynamic.ie

2008-04-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Stuttgart Eurythmeum in Dingle

This week we had a visit from the Stuttgart Eurythmeum (website in German) with a performance of the Grimm fairytale “The King of the Golden Mountain” at the Diseart chapel in Dingle. It was attended by 1^st year students as well as a special needs group from Camphill and a few interested people. The costumes were beautiful and numerous requiring many rapid changes. The eurythmy was very fluid and expressive depicting the various archetypes of the story.

Eurythmy is described by Wikipedia as a movement art developed by Rudolf Steiner with Marie von Sivers in the early 20^th Century. Primarily a performance art, it is also used in education, especially in Waldorf School and as a movement therapy.

The word eurythmy stems from Greek roots meaning beautiful or harmonious rhythm; the term was used by Greek and Roman archetects to refer to a harmonious balance of proportion in a design or building.

Furthur performances of the Eurythmeum: 18th April Camphill Dunshane 12 noon, 19th April Camphill Ballytobin 4 pm, 20th April Camphill Glencraig.

--Finbarr Murphy

2008-04-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Monday April 7th 2008 at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork City at 7pm - "Biodynamic food and its effect on consciousness" a talk by Wendy Cook

2008-03-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

The Christian Community in Clare

Preparations for the Confirmation:
Saturday 29th March
help is needed for cleaning of the Mountshannon Hall and St. Caimin's Church, decorating, laying out tables and chairs, cleaning cups etc. Time; 10 am
Please bring or send flowers, greenery etc. for decorations and tablecloths

Sunday 30th March
Confirmation Ceremony in St. Caimin's Church Mountshannon

10.30 am - 12.00 noon, meeting afterwards in Mountshnnon Hall for presentations, tea's/coffee and light refreshments.

Help is needed in providing cakes, biscuits, finger food etc. They can be delivered to the Hall prior to the ceremony at 12.30
EVERYONE WELCOME
Contact Peter Shields (co-ordinator) 087 6455955

Dear Friends,
Caroline Kelly would like to let you know, that if someone from the congregation would like to join the confirmands and their families for Sunday dinner at the East Clare Golf Club in Bodyke (plain cooking and lovely views, 3 courses for under Euro 20.00) to contact her for booking.
email: cphkelly@gmail.com or mobile phone 087 6287006
Regards
Anne Benham

2008-03-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

BUILDING BRIDGES RETREATS AND WORKSHOPS

The aim of the retreats and workshops is to provide a safe space where people may explore inner challenges and crises, working from an anthroposophical understanding of the human being as body, soul and spirit.

Some life events that may have caused pain and suffering often hold the key to transformation, hope and joy. A true listening space for shared biography can help their spiritual significance to emerge. Artistic activities access the imaginative dimension and strengthen social awareness. Stories, myths and legends release the mind from everday concerns, inviting the language of archetypal images belonging to the soul's journey to appear. Thematic talks complement the interactive processes and provide sustance for deeper reflection, conversation and questions.

Facilitators invite enquiries from any group, community or organisation. The character and form of the retreats may be adapted to suit the needs of particular groups.

For information, costs and venues contact: Linda McKeown, Building Bridges Ireland, 5, Martello Terrace, Holywood, County Down BT 18 9 BE, Tel: 02890 424607 email: building healing bridges@yahoo.co.uk

Sean Christopher Byrne has created a fine new website featuring his books To Hell or Rome, Gnosis, Poems for the Path. More books are in the works. http://www.spiritofsophia.co.uk/

The above illustration, featured on the website, is of the Cumaean Sybil, depicted here by 15th century Italian Renaissance artist, Andrea del Castagno - courtesy the Castagno Museum, Florence.

2008-03-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

NOTICE: NOTHING IS MORE URGENT THAN THIS!!!

PLEASE PARTICIPATE.

Dear Friends,
In the new postcard design above you will see the Goethe motif that accompanies our quest to find 1600 ELIANT activists who will undertake to collect 432 signatures each by the end of November...presently there are 300 such people.
In 2008 the signature campaign to secure legal frarmework conditions for anthroposophic initiatives in Europe is entering its most vital phase: We need to achieve one million signatures!
We very much hope that we will also be able to find the financial means necessary to spread and evaluate our campaign: for poster, signature lists and advertising materials, translating the information into different European languages, recording and attributing signatures by country, replying to enquiries that come in via email, post and fax, regular communication with supporters and sponsor members across the world (currently in 100 countries) and attending events in order to collect signatures.
(NB Between the 24th and 29th of March 200 of these postcards will be tied to balloons and released into the surrounding area from the Goetheanum terrace during the big teachers' conference. We are excited to see whether heaven will send us a few very special signatures by this means).
On behalf of the Alliance we invite you most warmly to participate. Even small donations are very welcome.
Thank you for your help!
Dr Juergen Erdmenger, Mikolai Fuchs, Dr Michaelas Gloeckler, Thomas Goeing, Guenther Schulz, Heike Sommer, Christof Wiechert.
Donation accounts: Germany and International: Aktion ELIANT account no.: 790 255 50 01 sort code: 430 609 67 GLS Gemeinschaftsbank eG, Christstr. 9, D-44789, Bochum, Germany. IBAN: DE66 4306 0697 7902 5550 01, BIC/Swift: GENODM1GLS
For donations to the ELIANT campaign received into the German account, we will send you a donation certificate. Please give your name and address for this purpose.

Many thanks to all for your active support of ELIANT. Till the end of November we will go on with concentrated forces to reach 673.000 more signatures, so please keep collecting signatures in your organization, school or practice, to spread the signature forms and to say a few words during events or conferences. Postcards and information materials available on our website info@eliant.eu
With kind regards
Thomas Göing

Message from Jonathan Angus at the Raheen Wood School

Dear Friends,

As you've probably heard by now, the Irish Government has approved the applications for two new national schools, teaching the primary curriculum using the methods espoused by Rudolf Steiner. This is exciting news, and it marks the beginning of a new phase of development for Waldorf education in Ireland.I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you of some upcoming offerings from the Irish Steiner Teaching Institute.

Next month, on Friday, 14th March, also at 7.30, MaryJo Oresti will be visiting from the United States, and will give a presentation on the theme of Trauma: helping children develop resilience. This promises to be an encouraging and useful talk, and you are warmly invited to attend.

Susan Perrow, author of Healing Stories, will visit Ireland on 15th and 16th March as part of a world tour to present two workshops, called Therapeutic Storytelling and Creative Discipline. If you are interested in attending either of these, please contact training@steinerireland.org

And finally, the Easter courses of the Foundations in Anthroposophy will be open to a select number of individuals. The subjects are Watercolour Painting with Dick Bruin (from Holland), Eutony with Helene Roitinger (from Austria), Speech with John Nixon and Introduction to Anthroposophical Medicine with Dr. Maria van den Berg (both from Northern Ireland). You can sign up for one, two or all four subjects, but please do so soon, as spaces are limited.

To register, please contact
training@steinerireland.org

For more information, please open the attached fliers. If you would care to print and post any of these, it would be most appreciated. If you have further questions, feel free to address them to me.

I wish you all a wonderful and productive spring.
Jonathan Angus for the Teaching Institute

Open the following address for details on the Mary Jo Oresti talk: http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&realattid=f_fcnl18m91&attid=0.2&disp=vah&view=att&th=1181931e13ea63b6
For details of the Therapeutic Storytelling: http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&realattid=f_fcnl1dvx2&attid=0.3&disp=vah&view=att&th=1181931e13ea63b6
For the open courses at Easter: http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&realattid=f_fcnl1mfn3&attid=0.4&disp=vah&view=att&th=1181931e13ea63b6

2008-02-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

FROM THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN COUNTY CLARE

Dear Friends, Please mark this date in your calendar:
the all Ireland conference 2008, which had to be postponed at Epiphany

will take place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September 2008.

Venue: "live at the marquee" in Tuamgraney, Co. Clare.
Program and registration forms to follow shortly.
Kind regards
Anne Benham
congregational correspondent

anne.benham@yahoo.ie

2008-02-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

Letter from Jonathan Angus:

Dear Friends, as you may have heard, the Irish Government has approved the applications for two new national schools, teaching the primary curriculum using the methods espoused by Rudolf Steiner. This is exciting news, and it marks the beginning of a new phase of development for Waldorf education in Ireland.

2008-02-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

TWO EVENTS

1. Early Childhood Education Programme presents
Open Courses at Easter 2008

5 days : 25th - 29th March, 9.30am - 5.30pm

at Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney, Co Clare
You are welcome to join the students on the Early Childhood Education Programme

for five days of classes on interesting and creative themes:

· Introduction to Anthroposophical Medicine with Dr Maria van den Berg
· Watercolour Painting: with Dick Bruin
· Eutony : with Helene Roitinger, musician and eutony therapist
· Introduction to Artistic Speech : with John Nixon

Cost: €75/topic for 5 days or €300 for full week’s programme
A cooked lunch is available each day at a cost of €8.
Prior booking essential
For more information or to book a place please email: training@steinerireland.org

2. Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association

& Early Childhood Education Programme

present
Two Workshops:

Sat 15th March: Therapeutic Storytelling

Sun 16th March: Creative Discipline
With Susan Perrow

at Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney, Co Clare
Cost: €55 per workshop, incl. lunch
Discount: €95 for both workshops

For more information or to book a place on the workshop please email:

email:training@steinerireland.org

SUSAN PERROW (M Ed) has an extensive background (24 years) in storytelling, early childhood teaching and facilitating courses. In 1986 she founded the first Steiner Kindergarten in Byron Bay, Australia, and in 2000 developed the first course on Storytelling for an Australian University (S.C.U.). Over the last twelve years Susan has worked in Teacher Training and Parent Education in Australia, Kenya and South Africa, specialising in storytelling, therapeutic story writing and creative discipline. A writer of children’s stories for twenty years, she has several collections published locally. Her resource book on ‘Healing Stories’ will be published by Hawthorn Press in the U.K., March 2008.

2007-11-21T04:22:00.000-08:00

One Day Event: A look at the life and work of Vernon Watkins and W.B. Yeats at the Writers Museum, Parnell Square, Dublin
Saturday December 1 2007
short prepared contributions, recitations, music, imaginative exercises and conversation.
Breaks for coffee and lunch in a nearby restaurant.
For more information: Sean Byrne, 1 Martello Terrace, Holywood, Co. Down BT18 9BE
phone 028 9042 2910 sean@ageoldbooks.fsnet.co.uk

2007-11-21T03:41:00.000-08:00

HOLY NIGHTS CONFERENCE

Camphill Community Ballytobin

4 and 5 January 2008

A series of talks and discussions examining the deeper historical challenges facing Europe in the 21st century

In March 1925, the last month of his life, in a conversation about the true tasks and possibilities of Europe, and the forces of opposition to these, Rudolf Steiner named three problems, or questions, that urgently needed 'solving':

"The queston of the two Johns

Where did Kaspar Hauser come from?

Who was Dmitri?"

It is these three questions which we intend to discuss during the conference.

PROGRAMME

Friday 4th January

6:30 pm registration/arrivals with light refreshments

7.00 Introductions with music

7.30 'The question of the Two Johns' by Richard Ramsbotham, followed by discussion

Close with music

Saturday 5th January

Introducion

10.00 'Where did Kaspar Hauser come from?' by Terry Boardman, followed by discussion

11.30 Break

12.00 artistic activity together with bells

1.00 Lunch

2.30 'Who was Dmitri?' by Markus Osterrieder, followed by discussion

4.00 Break

4.30 Conversation; connecting with where we are now

5.30 Rounding off and end with music

Light refreshments follow for journey home

Contribution/fee €25. Booking before December 20

For more information:

Mark Dwan, Camphill Community Ballytobin, Callan, Co. Kilkenny

086 853 9342, markdwan@camphill.ie

2007-11-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Lecture on Reading and Writing by Gordon Woolard

Fri Nov 16 19:30 - 21:30 (Dublin) Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney this Friday at Raheen Wood School. Gordon Woolard will speak on the subject of Writing and Reading, the processes we go through in developing these faculties, and the challenges that can arise. An expert on dyslexia and its treatment through the use of movement, drawing and painting exercises and resident of England, Gordon has become a regular visitor to Raheen Wood School as one of the core tutors on the Healing Education and Resource Teaching (HEART) programme. If you have attended any of his previous presentations, you know that his warm and engaging approach to his subject is not to be missed. This is the first of two visits scheduled for this year. There will be a follow-up presentation as part of his second visit, also open to the general public. The theme of that lecture, on Friday, 15 February, will be Mathematics and Discalcula. Please consider joining us this Friday at Raheen Wood School for this stimulating presentation.

For more information contact Jonathan at 061 926 889 or mailto:jonathan.angus@gmail.com

2007-11-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

An introduction to Anthroposophical Medicine and Therapies

by Dr Nick Blitz
8pm

Wednesday 07 November 2007

Camphill Community Greenacres
Upper Kilmacud Rd (Beside Airfield House)
Dublin 14

info at 01 – 298 7618

illustration: Bryony by Walther Roggenkamp for Weleda

2007-10-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

Castalia Eurythmy

Poetry of Ireland by Seamus Heaney performed with Speech, Eurythmy and Music

in Northern Ireland

Thursday, November 15, 7.30pm at Camphill Glencraig, Holywood, Belfast

Friday, November 16, 2.00pm at St. Columb's College, Buncranagh Road, Derry, and 7.30pm Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane, Derry

Saturday, November 17, 7.00pm, Samhain Poetry Festival, Gortahork, Co. Donegal see:www.samhainpoetry.com

for more information: breedamannix@hotmail.com

2007-10-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

The Anthroposophical Society in Ireland and Camphill Greenacres warmly invites you to

Goethe's theory of colour- playing for freedom

a public lecture by Dr Malin Starrett

This lecture and demonstration gives an overview of the relevance of Goethe’s theory of colour today, with a comparison to the current dominant viewpoint. Theories of how we see tend to have wideranging consequences for the whole of society.
Wednesday 17th October 2007, 8pm
Camphill Community Greenacres
Upper Kilmacud Rd (Beside Airfield House)
Dundrum
Dublin 14
Tel 01 298 7618

2007-10-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

TWO EVENTS:

“Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy – An Introduction”
Wednesday, October 3, 8 pm

Talk by Daniel Newman
at Greenacres Camphill Community
Upper Kilmacud Rd (beside Airfield)
Dundrum
Dublin 14
Tel 01 - 298 7618
greenacres@camphill.ie

...Ruth Marshall, publisher of Holistic Network Ireland Magazine, sends the following:

'I was sent a brochure about a workshop taking place in October at Pishwanton Wood, near Edinburgh. Pishwanton is a wonderful place, home to the Life Science Trust, and where I took part in a couple of the long sessions on the 2-year journey that was “The New Hibernian Way” (combining Goethean science and art) some years ago under the guidance of Margaret Calquhoun et al. For more info contact : The Life Science Trust, Pedlar's Way, Gifford, East Lothian EH41 4JD Scotland. Tel: 01620 810 259'

For more information click here: Goethe's Colour Theory

2007-08-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Christian Community in Scarriff, County Clare

Programme for Autumn 2007, Regular Services and Gatherings
Sundays: The Act of Consecration of Man
2nd September, 7th October, 4th November, 9th December at 11 am
There will be a crèche during the Act of Consecration. Please ask Audrey Flynn
The Service for Children at 10 am, dates as for the Act of Consecration of Man.
Sunday Family Gatherings at 10 am, All gather to sing in the chapel. Afterwards, there is a story or gospel reading for the children, whilst the adults remain in the chapel for a reading of the Gospel, the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer followed by a short discussion on the Gospel. Afterwards everyone gathers in the kitchen for bring & share refreshments.
All Sundays from 9th September on, except when Tom Ravetz is visiting
Special programme for Michaelmas 30th September and the four Sundays in Advent
Other Events: Talks by Rev. T Ravetz on Saturday evenings at 8 pm followed by singing
6th October The Father-Ground of our Being
3rd November The Son-Creating and Becoming
8th December The Spirit-God in the Creation
Confirmation Classes at 4 pm on 2.9., 7.10., 4.11., 9.12.
For more information on Gospel readings, visits and other activities contact
The Rev. Tom Ravetz, 22 Baylie Street, Stourbridge West Midlands UK DY8 1AZ,
Phone: 0044 1384 377 190 and whilst in Ireland: 0876 486 617. Email: tom@ravetz.org.uk
Or contact the Congregational Correspondent Anne Benham, anne.benham@yahoo.ie

2007-08-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

Harvest Home in Dingle

I had the great good fortune to be in Ireland for Lughnasa again this year, the midpoint between St Johns and the Michaelmas equinox time. If the four great festivals of the year, Easter, St Johns, Michaelmas and Christmas are turning points, the lesser known four festivals in between can be seen as archways, moving into something new. They are the beginnings of the four seasons according to the farmers’ calendar, and as the Celts would have celebrated. Here in Dingle they are still alive.

Samhain or Halloween begins the year with winter when the harvest is finished. Imbolc, the time of St Bridgid and Candlemas, when the sap begins to flow again, brings the first inklings of spring. Bealtaine, or May Day, ushers in summer. Nature is in full bloom and Lughnasa, the first of August, is the beginning of the harvest season (autumn).

As a clown working out of anthroposophy I feel my mission to be one of gathering inspiration from nature, from spiritual and elemental beings and the rhythms of the year. These can be transformed with humour through the performing arts as a gift to human beings. The overwhelming amount of love that arises through my work with people as a clown can then be transformed and brought back as a gift into nature and into the festivals of the year.

I celebrated St John in Stuttgart with a group of clowns and speech and drama artists working therapeutically. It was the time of year when the human being expands furthest outward into the cosmic worlds, ‘losing oneself’ as Steiner describes so beautifully in the Calendar of the Soul. We were working with themes such as the clown as a bridge between nature and human beings, periphery and centre and the artistic transformation of the heart. I always see the red clown’s nose as significant. The nose is the heart of my face. When I put on my nose I step into my heart’s centre.

I brought these inspirations of the St John’s meeting with me when I came home to Ireland for the summer. Meditating further on the Calendar of the Soul I became newly aware of the amazing dance the soul takes when moving around the circle of the year. Approximately around the first of May one begins to arc outward into cosmic worlds. After St John, when the outer sun is at its zenith, the arc begins curving back. From Lughnasa until Samhain we are walking in step with the natural world around us and after that the soul arcs inward to the inner sun, at its zenith at Christmas.

On the day of Lunasa I met with Peadar, a friend who is deeply connected to the stories of Ireland and just back from playing the flute in Chartres Cathedral.He takes people to the holy places of Ireland, giving story-rich, poetic and musical tours of introduction to the living land. In Ireland geography and history are one. The traditional place to go to at Lughnasa is Mount Brandon, the last place in Europe from which to see the setting sun. We had attempted this last year with Sophia Murphy and Tertia Schwartz. Due to Mount Brandon being covered in cloud we had climbed a lower mountain where we did the Halleluia in eurythmy, led by Tertia, and Peadar played his flute.

This year we climbed Mount Brandon. It was just the two of us. Other people had planned to come but stayed away because of heavy rains and clouds in the morning. When we crossed Conor Pass the peak of Mount Brandon was clear and beckoned to us. It is a steep and difficult climb. The ground is covered in springy turf and heather and the stones seem to be loose. I went up barefoot and the higher we got the less solid the earth felt beneath my feet. The mist closed in on us, swirling past like white horse ghosts galloping up the slope. Sheep looked as us with curiosity. Peadar told me stories of Lugh, from whom Lughnasa has its name and I told him the ones I knew from Ella Young’s The Wondersmith and his Son. We thought we got a glimpse of the sun through the now thick clouds.

I whistled to see if the sun would come out and he called it with his penny whistle. It seemed to be playing hide and seek with us, teasing us. At the summit windows opened up in the clouds to show us the spectacular valleys 1000 feet below on either side. It seemed impossible to me that there was a solid mountain below me. It felt as if we were standing on a cloud. Peadar invoked the four directions and then the centre—also having been working on the theme of periphery and centre these days. I read the Calendar of the Soul verse for this week (Nr 17) and then we played music. I inwardly left an offering on the mountaintop, a harvest of love gathered through my work. The sun was still peeking out at us the moment our backs were turned, making us laugh. We turned and bounded like goats down the mountain, singing loudly, our hearts full of all the sense impressions of the adventure. The harvest is now begun—and the process of waking up which will culminate at Michaelmas.

Deirdre Goodman lives in Leipzig, Germany and Dingle, Ireland. She is a clown performing in hospitals and touring with stage performances. She herself trained with Liederclown Frieder Noegge. Inspired by his attempt to bring anthroposophy into living experience she has developed her own method clowning and for training clowns. Deirdre also specializes in workshops for therapists, teachers, actors and parents. For further information: missmillymurphy@yahoo.co.uk

Suggested reading: The Wonder Smith and His Son, Ella Young, Floris Books
Celebrating Irish Festivals, Ruth Marshall, Hawthorn Press
Archangel Lecture, Rudolf Steiner

Photograph courtesy of Susanne Hartung

2007-06-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Irish Steiner Teacher Training in Clare

The Irish Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Association has successfully run its Early Childhood Education Programme since 1996, providing training for prospective kindergarten teachers in Ireland. This training is now entering its fourth cycle. Now, in response to demand from new schools that need trained teachers, participants of the Early Childhood Education Programme, and others interested in class teaching, a three-year part-time class teacher training is offered in Co. Clare.

now enrolling;
Part Time Courses: Foundations in Anthroposophy; Kindergarten Teacher Training
Primary Class Teacher Training; Resource Teacher Training

Foundation Year starts September 2007
The Foundation Year is designed as the first year of a three-year kindergarten and class teacher training, but it also can be taken as an introductory course in anthroposophical studies.

The course consists of:
• Guided study. Where possible study groups are established in different localities.
• Weekend sessions. Eight weekend sessions (Friday evening and all day Saturday).
• Residential sessions. Three longer sessions in October, at Easter, and in July (Tuesday – Saturday).

Course fee: €1500
for more information, please email training@steinerireland.org

2007-05-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Community Lease not renewed!! We need to raise €500,000!!
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce that we will be organising the 5th Annual Fundraising Night at the
Leopardstown Racecourse. This year’s event could not happen at a better time. With the
recent developments within our community, the moving to new premises we will also have to
tackle one of our main obstacles: To create workspace for our colleagues with special needs.
Our new premises has a reasonable sized garden where we would like to establish an ‘all year
round’ organic vegetable, fruit and seedling garden. This will be achieved by building a decent
sized glass – green house. In addition, there is an urgent need to create additional craft
making workshop space. The benefits are direct and straight forward:
Creating workspace for adults with special needs, where we can activate a therapeutic as well
as life skill program, provide our (day in – day out) kitchen with organically grown vegetables
We had many people asking how they can support us as a reaction to the previous newsletter,
the sad news of the ‘Greenacres’ premises and the unavoidable need to move the whole
community to new premises. We will keep you well informed on all these happenings and we will
indicate when, where and how you can support.
Therefore this special edition newsletter: Very soon we will start with the booking of the 25
to 30 tables (tables of 10) for the very fine and well-tuned 5th Annual Fundraising Night at the
Leopardstown Racecourse. This is an evening filled with style, superb viewing of live racing, an
excellent and extensive Fork Supper, live music and entertainment..
A full programme with specific information is attached.
Meanwhile do not hesitate to contact us:
Michael Hilary: 087 256 8810
mhilary@esatclear.ie
Gilbert Fonteyn: 085 746 7830
Gilbert.fonteyn@gmail.com
Community lease not renewed by order of nuns
We need to raise € 500.000

2007-05-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

The County Clare Christian Community
has a new centre and chapel in Drewsborough, Tuamgraney.
Rev.Tom Ravetz will be holding services there on a regular basis, travelling over from England once each month (see below for May and June). His phone number is 0044 1384 377
or 087 648 6617 in Ireland. His email is tom@ravetz.org.uk
The Congregational Correspondent is Anne Benham. Email her for the Community Newsletter at anne.benham@yahoo.ie

The programme for May-June 2007 is as follows:

The Act of Consecration of Man
Sunday, 6th May at 11 am
Sunday, 17th June at 11 am
There will be a crèche during the Act of Consecration. Please ask Audrey Flynn for details

The Service for Children
Sunday, 6th May at 10 am
Sunday, 17th June at 10 am

Sunday Family Gatherings
All gather to sing in the chapel. Afterwards, there is a story or gospel reading for the children, whilst the adults remain in the chapel for a reading of the Gospel, the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer followed by a short discussion on the Gospel. Afterwards everyone gathers in the kitchen for bring & share refreshments. 13th, 20th, 27th May, 6th, 24th June (special programme for St Johns to be announced)

Other Events
Friday 4th May 8 pm House Warming. This will be a social evening with music and a chance to meet.

Saturday, 5th-Monday 7th May Reunion of the Confirmation Group of 2005
Programme to be arranged

Sunday, 17th June at 4 pm First Confirmation Lesson for the Confirmation Group 2008

2007-04-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

From the Biodynamic Association in Ireland:

Dear all; In June 2006, Nikolai Fuchs (our co-ordinator for the lobby work in Brussels) presented us with the work of the newly started initiative ELIANT (European Alliance of Initiatives for Applied Anthroposophy).Now ELIANT is collecting 1 million signatures to secure legal safeguards for anthroposophic medicine, biodynamic (Demeter) foods, Waldorf education and other initiatives of applied anthroposophy.The board of Demeter International kindly asks you to help this initiative with your vote. More information and online voting is possible at www.eliant.eu (click on the right for your language). Please distribute this information to as many people as possible. Non EU nationals can support this initiative too! Deadline is 15th July 2007. Thank you for your support.

Anja Terpstra, Administrator

On behalf of Demeter International and Demeter Standards Limited

Biodynamic Agricultural Association in Ireland, Watergarden, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
Tel./ Fax. 056-7754214 Email bdaai@indigo.ie

Website www.demeter.ie and www.biodynamic.ie

Eliant Campaign

2007-04-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

The Alfa Project, Active Learning for Adolescents

The Alfa Project has been successfully educating teenagers aged 13 – 16 for the past 5 years. In this time Alfa has become an accepted alternative to state education for those young people who want it in our East County Clare area. Alfa provides a three year integrated curriculum covering the sciences, arts, languages, crafts and physical education arranged in project blocks (main lesson) of 3 or 4 weeks. Each project block links in with the rest of the curriculum in a unique way and includes an artistic and practical dimension whether it is Mathematics or History or any of the other subjects. This approach works with teenagers because it allows them to be creative, ask and answer questions and find their own relationship to the subject. The Alfa Project has developed to provide an alternative approach to exam led education especially for those students who find mainstream secondary education does not meet their needs. The students are in classes of 15 students and therefore a practical hands-on element can be brought into each lesson. It is clear to us that young people are born into and are growing up in a very different world to the one we grew up in 30 or 40 years ago. They are acutely aware of the environmental and ecological challenges facing them in the future; they also have a global consciousness that reaches out to others across the world. The future is unpredictable, therefore we have to educate young people for the world of tomorrow, not today or yesterday, so they can become active shapers of the future. This is why Alfa emphasises developing the capacities of the students over filling them with information. Capacities such as social ability, to be able to work with others and to reach out to those in need; judgement, to be able to think clearly and discern truth from lies; confidence, to be themselves, to take initiative and act responsibly when needed; global consciousness, to be aware of the connection between themselves and their actions and the needs of the earth, the environment, all fellow human beings and living things.
Alfa is run by a core group of committed parents and teachers, some are parents whose children have been in Alfa and moved on, some whose children are in the present group of 15 students. Over the seven years of setting up and running Alfa the Management Committee, Working Group members and Directors of the Company have gained a wealth of experience in effective management of Alfa, providing the education and working with teenagers.
Alfa intends to expand to 45 students in three classes over the next five years. In order to facilitate this growth Alfa needs to purchase land and build its own workshops and classrooms. Our plans are to build low tech, sustainable, energy efficient buildings involving the students where possible, with enough outside space to build outdoor projects, create
gardens etc. Help with this would be greatly appreciated. We have a
comprehensive Project Plan available which can be requested from info@alfaproject.org or 061 640798. Our website is www.alfaproject.org

""

2007-04-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Eurythmy Events: We are glad to report more eurythmy events in Ireland. Don't miss them!

Zagreb Eurythmy Ensemble "Iona"
This group from Croatia has been working on the theme of

"The Counter-Image of the Second Coming"
The programme includes works by W.B. Yeats, Fiona McLoud, and other modern writers and composers
Ballytobin Camphill Community, Co Kilkenny - Sat 28 Apr
Duffcarrig Camphill Community Co Wexford - Tue 01 May

“The Harbouring Silence”

Botton Eurythmy present a programme of contemporary music and poetry reflected in the mirror of their inspiration from the past.
Glencraig Camphill Community, Co Down - Sun 6 May
Mourne Grange Camphill Community Co Down - Tue 8 May
Ballytobin Camphill Community, Co Kilkenny - Thu 10 May
Duffcarrig Camphill Community Co Wexford - Fri 11 May

From June 15th to 30th The Pennsylvania USA Eurythmy Ensemble Tour Ireland the UK with their Evening Program “Tides Turning”. Also, they will perform pieces for schools.Dates and details to follow

For more information on any of these events go to the Eurythmy Ireland site: www.eurythmyireland.org

2007-04-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

Irish Steiner Teacher Training Presents:
Easter Break Short Courses, Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 April, 2007

At Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney, County Clare

11:30 am - 1 pm each day: The Healing Art of Storytelling with Nancy Mellon

Nancy Mellon has developed a practical, spiritually oriented approach to personal development through the art of storytelling. Participants will heighten their ability to create stories of a healing nature. This course is designed for caring professionals, parents, teachers and artists. Nancy is a writer, therapist and teacher who lives in the United States. She is the author of Storytelling and the Art of the Imagination and Storytelling with Children.
2:15 pm - 3:45 each day: The History of Artistic Expression: an Evolution of Consciousness with Dick Bruin. Dick Bruin will present a mix of lecture and drawing workshops, looking at examples of architecture and visual arts from Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Early Christian, Renaissance, and the Modern eras. Paper supplied. Bring coloured pencils and block crayons
Dick is an artist and visiting teacher from Holland, and the co-author of “Painting in Waldorf Schools”.
Pre-booking essential. Cost - one workshop - €45, both workshops - €75.
Delicious vegetarian lunch available €8 (advanced notice required)
To register, please contact Jonathan Angus, Tel: 061 926 889

email: jonathan.angus@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~

Book Launch:

“Into the Further Reaches - An anthology of contemporary British poetry celebrating the spiritual journey”
edited by Jay Ramsay
PS Avalon Publishing isbn 978-0-9552786-1-7; £15 sterling
This large format, beautifully designed 252 page anthology contains the work of 64 leading poets rooted in the Romantic and visionary tradition inviting you to awaken to your own inner spiritual connection at this time of global transition.
Available from www.psavalon.com or from www.amazon.co.uk
or in Ireland, available from Ruth Marshall at networkholistic@eircom.net

Cost €27 incl P&P.
“To take a step beyond ‚ this is what this exciting new anthology of Contemporary British Poetry invites you to do at this time of transition. Rooted in the Romantic and visionary tradition, these 64 poets form part of a powerful vanguard that is alive and well (and mature) outside of the accepted mainstream. These poets are alive on the page and in the mouth ‚ intelligent, committed, colourful, spiritually conscious and awake to the edges of things in the clear seeing that poetry requires. Above all, this is a poetry book for travellers re-negotiating the shape of our lives as we reach the end of time, with all it means to be here and in service of the Divine.”

2007-04-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

Lovely Raheen Wood Waldorf School

This school, nestled in one of the oldest woods in County Clare, is celebrating its 21st birthday in June this year and we urge everyone to keep checking the website for details of the celebration. Another event for your calendar: The lively Spring Fair and Open House is on April 28th. Attend if you can! The Raheen Wood School is presently searching for a sixth grade teacher, who is willing to commit for two years. If you know of anyone, please contact Nell Smyth at her email address: penelopesmyth@gmail.com

2007-03-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

Last minute news:
Sean Byrne will be giving a talk about Rudolf Steiner's message for the New Age on St. Patrick's day at the Mind, Body, Spirit Festival in the RDS in Dublin.

2007-03-02T02:26:00.000-08:00

Eurythmy Performance in Dublin!

See the Music, Hear the Colours...

The Stuttgart Eurythmeum and Eurythmy Ireland present an evening of

Visible Music & Poetry

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a new art form that incorporates movement, light and colour, music and the spoken word. Includes pieces by Shostakovich, Debussy, Handel, Mendelssohn performed by members of the famous Stuttgart Eurythmeum together with members of Eurythmy Ireland.

Mill Theatre, Dundrum, 14th March, 8 PM, €20

2007-02-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

In Memoriam

Margaret Duberley, who crossed over on 13th February. She was actively involved in the Irish Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Association and an inspiration to many Waldorf kindergarten teachers, parents and friends. David Fairclough reports that recently two new stars appeared in the constellation of Scorpio. The first, named Nova Scorpii 2007 was first sighted on February 6th and then brightened until February 13th when it became visible to the naked eye. Was it a light for Margaret on her journey?

For more on the life of the cosmos, and stars that appear and disappear refer to The Festivals and their Meaning (III Ascension and Pentecost), R. Steiner

2007-02-22T06:20:00.000-08:00

GNOSIS! A new book due out in April

Author Sean Byrne is from the Republic of Ireland but has lived and worked near Belfast for many years. As well as publishing and editing, he writes for various journals and magazines. His first novel, GNOSIS! is based on the life of the 2nd century Christian writer Origen of Alexandria (pictured at left). The decadent Roman Empire is on the brink of anarchy. Rome is suspicious and fearful of the new religion, but wishes to harness its power for its own ends with a cold and down-to-earth programme. In Alexandria on the other hand, Christianity is welcomed with open arms as a herald of a new age of the spirit. Origen, the Egyptian philosopher, is a danger to Rome's plans. The result is one of the most intriguing and exciting periods of history the world has ever known. £8.99 or €13.50 from Amazon or direct from the author with his signature. Email Sean Byrne, member@ageoldbooks.fsnet.co.uk
Sean Byrne also informs us that the current issue of The Local Planet features his review of Sekem, Ibrahim Abouleish's book about the biodynamic community in Egypt.

The above illustration is from Andre Thevet Les Vrais Pourtraits et Vies Hommes Illustre 1584, University of Michigan

2007-01-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

EVENTS

Michael Miklis, Administrator at the Biodynamic Association announces the following events:
* Talk on the Maria Thun Calendar on the 2nd of March at John McDonnell’s Farm in Shalvastown Slane Co.Meath, this will be combined with a Farm walk and start’s at 2 pm.
* A Workshop/Conference on Composting in March /April (exact details will be forthcoming next week) will be held at the Dominican Farm and Ecological Centre in Wicklow.
* The lifting of the Biodynamic Preparations will take place either on Saturday the 28 of April or Mai the 6th starting at 11 am At Ernest Mackey’s Farm Ballinclea House Donard Co. Wicklow. Please consult the Biodynamic Association website for more information.

The Anthroposophical Society in Ireland announces the following event:
Sunday 15. April - Saturday 21. April Connect Conference for young people in the Goetheanum, in Dornach, Switzerland. There are currently about ten young people from Ireland going to the conference but places are still available. For further details, contact Caroline Kelly 061 927 168.

Note: Please refer to the Eurythmy in Ireland website on the upcoming performances by the visiting artists from Stuttgart, Germany.

2007-01-29T13:49:00.000-08:00

Irish Seed Saver Association (ISSA), Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare

Today (Jan 29) was tree paste day at the Irish Seed Savers. A crew was out with rubber gloves, the tree paste and paint brushes. Each young tree was lovingly stroked and painted with the biodynamic paste which will keep it protected from fungus etc. The Irish Seed Savers, a venture begun by Waldorf parents Anita and Tommy Hayes, has grown from a small garden by the house to twenty acres of carefully tended ground.

Grainne Vaughan: This place has more life than any other garden I've ever been in. It is lovely. Lán le beocht!

Frank Bouchier, Garden Manager:

If we look after the trees they look after us.

Irish Seed Savers is the only organisation in Ireland engaged in the work of locating agricultural plants that are in danger of extinction, taking samples,nurturing them, propagating them and distributing them to gardeners and farmers around the country to ensure that they are available, once again, to be enjoyed for their taste, beauty and resilience. For information: 061 921 866.

2007-01-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

Castalia Eurythmy

Castalia, a new venture, has toured Ireland several times and is currently planning 2007. Eurythmist Breeda Mannix interprets poetry by Seamus Heaney and music by John Billing, bringing depth and life to both.

Breeda hales from County Kerry.She studied eurythmy at Peredur Centre for the Arts, Sussex, England, from 1988 to 1993, under Isabel and Hajo Dekker. Every few years Breeda looks for a master, and so 3-1/2 years ago she moved to Norway where Margrethe Solstad, the leader of the Oslo Eurythmy School, offered her a place in the Ensemble work. Currently Breeda is studying for a BA in eurythmy under this leader, who will shortly be leaving Oslo for Dornach where she will become Section Leader for the Performing Arts.

In 2002 a small group including Breeda created a eurythmy programme to go on tour. While booking the tour in Ireland, John Clarke of Ballytobin Camphill Community asked Breeda 'what your name is'. She replied that there wasn't a name upon which he immediately suggested 'Castalia Eurythmy'. In 2007, Castalia Eurythmy is invited to a number of Arts Festivals in Ireland, both North and South, and there are plans to work on new material as well. Two dates already booked: 7th June at Dunshane, Medical Section Meeting/Conference, 17th November in Gortahork, Donegal for a Poetry festival.

For more information contact John Nixon, 048 9042 5990, office@glencraig.org.uk

2007-01-20T16:29:00.000-08:00

Camphill Community Greenacres is a new venture in the south Dublin suburb of Dundrum. The main house was formerly occupied by an order of nuns called the Religious for Christian Education. Due to dwindling numbers they have let the property to Camphill to insure the social endeavours which they can no longer manage on their own. The house is set in two and a half acres of mature garden adjacent to Airfield, a 40 acre community farm and craft centre. Our new house Hazel, provides semi-independent living environment for people who are more able. By each helping the other, everyone is enabled to live a fulfilling life. Although in the centre of a thriving part of Dublin we are a veritable oasis of greenery. Our aim in Greenacres is to develop the Camphill impulse in the context of an Irish urban setting. More specifically, we have set ourselves the goal of achieving a sustainable community. This can be described as an attempt to integrate the ecological, social, economic and spiritual aspects of life into a harmonious and inclusive place to live.
Since taking over the house at the end of 2002, the Community has grown to 18 people living full time and a number of people coming on a day basis, including people in care, co-workers, children, a part-time employee and helpers from the locality. We also play host to a wide variety of cultural activities such as courses and lectures. In addition, we operate as a small scale respite care, mostly for members of other communities looking for a city break.

Camphill Greenacres, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dublin 14. Phone: 01 298 7618

Camphill Greenacres

2006-12-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

ANTHONY KAYE

This is an announcement that our friend Anthony Kaye passed over into the spiritual world on Christmas Day. A service will be held for him in Camphill Duffcarrig Thursday, 28 December at 10:30 am.

We will add a short description of Anthony's life shortly.

2006-11-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

Brushwood Studios

Driving along a hidden laneway near the Parknasilla Hotel and Sneem a sign guides you to Brushwood Studios home and gallery of the extended Muller family. Ann and Max Muller left their native South Africa after Soweto and came to Ireland, settling in this location 30 years ago. They built their own house, extending it as the family grew, and homeschooled the children according to Waldorf methods. Ann deveoped her style of painting following Steiner and Goethe colour indications, while Max developed his anthroposophical library and biodynamic garden. Ann authored a number of books (see website) over the years. Today she, her daughter, daughter-in-law, son and granddaughter exhibit their extremely beautiful art in their home/gallery and welcome viewers.

2006-11-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Rebuilding and Extending The Watergarden

The popular Watergarden café and shop in Thomastown is undergoing renovation and will reopen in late Spring. Shop and gardens will then be an even lovelier destination than they were before. Here is a bit of history:

The Watergarden has always provided a welcoming environment where people of all abilities can work and enjoy life together.

A local tailor, Bernard Walsh, spent most of his retirement developing the Watergarden as a hobby. As he grew older, the work became too much for him and he sold his house and gardens to his friends in Camphill. Bernard died in 1996. It now contains a coffee shop with small craft and gift section; a garden shop; ornamental streamside gardens; a pottery; and a canteen for those who work here. All activities create opportunities where local people on day placements can work alongside others on community employment schemes, paid staff and Camphill co-workers. Nearby is Camphill Jerpoint, a residential community with a small farm and gardens.

2006-11-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Dingle Study Group
Meets on Wednesdays 7 - 8:30 pm
Current discussion in relation to the book Spiritual Beings in the Heavenly Bodies and in the Kingdoms of Nature, R. Steiner

Contact: tfinbarr@eircom.net

2006-11-20T15:17:00.000-08:00

Recommended Reading:The Interior of the Earth
An Esoteric Study of the Subterranean Spheres
Available from Rudolf Steiner Press, London, Price: £9.95

Paul V O'Leary who recently moved to Dingle has compiled a book containing the rare lectures and essays given by Rudolf Steiner on the influence of the subterranean spheres of our earth. This has the greatest relevance in these times and yet has hardly ever been discussed. Can we know what lies beneath our feet, how it affects us and how we can transform it? Rudolf Steiner's unique insight gives a picture of the nine layers of the earth that range from the familiar ‘mineral’ on which we live, to the innermost core. In between are layers such as the ‘Mirror Earth’, which represents qualities of extreme evil, and the ‘Fire Earth’, which is connected to natural catastrophes and also intimately related to and affected by human will. When the human will is chaotic and untutored, says Steiner, it acts magnetically on this layer and disrupts it, leading to volcanic eruptions. He also describes other natural catastrophes such as extreme weather and earthquakes - in connection to the interior of the earth and karma. These lectures make it clear that 'human evolution implies a transformation of the earth's interior' and we so well to become familiar with them.

Anthroposophy in Ireland

Parent and Child Group, Killaloe, Co Clareby Audrey Flynn

by Audrey Flynn

Parent and Child Group, Killaloe, Co Clare
by Audrey Flynn