The Local Planet's editor talks to Imelda Daly about her family's dream to live close to nature in a planet friendly way.

"Back in 1990 we were experiencing some uneasiness and anxiety in our every day living", explained Imelda Daly. As parents and concerned human beings she and her husband Sean had a strong desire to make their lives more fulfilling and rewarding. They were interested in creating a lifestyle that would have family health benefits as well as a positive impact on the environment. After various discussions they decided to take a more positive approach and in 1996 they went in search of a new life. Imelda said they wanted "to locate an old house with some land, but to live in a sustainable way as both of us were indigenous to farming." When they first viewed Rockfield House property it was far beyond their expectations. "The first impressions were the magnetic embrace that was imminent from all around and it had a profound effect on our decision within a few minutes of seeing it", explained a poetic and enthusiastic Imelda.
They instantly fell in love with the place. They didn't immediately recognise the huge amount of work needed to be carried out on the property.
Thankfully things worked out very well for the Daly family who are now happily settled into Rockfield House, which can be described as one of Westmeath's beautiful landmarks.
They moved from Tullamore to their new home on Aug. 15th 1996. "We were going back to our roots in both senses, because Mullingar is the home of the Dalys and farming was in our blood. The Rockfield Ecological Dream has emerged and is the creation of our whole family, Sean, our four children and myself", says a very happy Imelda.
Nine years later they are intertwined in their earthly paradise. They clearly have a strong sense of belonging and are very contented with their new diverse and sustainable lifestyle. "We both wish to create a genuine haven of ecological friendliness and hospitality" said Imelda.

Inside the Mansion
Rockfield House and Garden is located at Rathaspic, Rathowen, north of Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The house, outbuildings and garden are of historical architectural, and horticultural interest. It is registered as a 'Property of Interest' with Failte Ireland.
The original Rockfield lodge, now a ruin dates back to 1760. The outbuildings date to 1780, and Rockfield House to 1795/1800.
The house is a spacious well-built mansion, situated at considerable elevation above the shores of Glen Lake. Within the basement are nine rooms including the original kitchen, wine cellar, dairy still room, larder room, butlers pantry, laundry and hallway. The servant’s quarters was demolished some years ago, along with the herb laboratory. The main floor contains the library, morning room, drawing room, and dining room, and top floor has six bedrooms, dressing rooms and bathroom.

The courtyard contains the gardener’s cottage, workman’s house, coachman’s house, coach houses, grain store, brewing house, cold room and stables. The demesne also contains a walled garden, orchard, oak nursery, a wooded area and farm - which has organic status for the last six years.

OPEN HOUSE
Imelda Daly says that a lot of people today complain of health symptoms including headaches, allergies, fatigue and breathing difficulties. She believes that a considerable number of them are related to chemicals such as those used in farming, construction and home decoration. "Most frightening is the amount of additives and residues that are in our food and cosmetics", adds Imelda.
Through education, demonstration and passion for the green philosophy in living and cultural heritage they want to show that we each can happily thrive in modern life by working hand in hand with the earth and its produce. The idea is that Rockfield House will provide local people, schools, tourists and businesses an all-encompassing, ecological destination showcasing a variety of crafts, art, music, literature, heritage, organic food and medicinal herbs. "We are open to the public for guided tours of the house, garden and outbuildings. Alternatively, visitors can simply look, listen and enjoy the whole bona-fide approach to the simplicity of life.
Within a short time people, can come and share their values about life and its meaning. They can partake in offering their time or skills and energy to teach crafts which are compatible with ecological living. It is hoped that the gardener’s cottage and the coachman’s cottage will be available for accommodation soon; all have been restored in an ecological and sustainable way. There will be seminars, forums and courses on all relevant issues", according to Imelda.

The art and crafts will include: Spinning, using wool from the farm - including the process of carding; washing and dyeing using natural vegetation from the farm. Weaving will also be demonstrated i.e. tapestry, rag and loom weaving on one of the oldest looms in Ireland.
Basket weaving will involve a number of materials i.e. straw, willow, hay, hemp, bulrushes and sea rope.
Felt making and natural dyeing, using the sheep’s wool from the farm and learning basic techniques, along with creating and designing ones own art pieces.
Batik art involves many varieties of mixed media plus wax and natural dyes
Wood turning: the wood will be collected on the farm from trees felled naturally during the winter season.
Pottery: this course will explore the use of clay as a healing medium, involving working with clay to make vessels.
Papermaking, using various types of recycled paper, water, natural dyes, some vegetation and mixed fibs.
Art: the whole focus will be on eco materials to paint.
They also plan to recreate the full medicinal herb operation that existed at Rockfield back in 1862, and was operated by the Battersby Sisters known as the herbalist doctors. They had their own laboratory in the basement. Courses and activities will involve all conceivable aspects of ecological living.

Noting that Imelda earlier said both she and Sean come from traditional or usual Irish backgrounds, I wondered what influenced them to make this lifestyle choice?
"We were conscious that the way we were operating as a family was not making or keeping us healthy. We were being robbed of our own motivation and consideration for the importance of all life. Sean and myself were used to freedom of space, the rough and tumble of farming life, finding our dinner in the garden; finding the hens and collecting the eggs for breakfast or supper and finally herding the cows and doing the milking.

What is an Eco-kitchen? Do you use only organic and local veg?
"We are passionate about organic, nutritional food, and are very cautious when it comes to how it is stored, prepared and served. Rockfield House will be one of the first, if not the very first location in the country where the food will be organic from our own farm and other licensed organic farms. Unfortunately, some will have to be imported from organic farms abroad.
"Using tried and tested traditional methods; equipment and ingredients in the eco-kitchen will both enthral and enlighten the public.
"The kitchen will consist of all eco friendly materials in the layout, preparation, cooking and serving of food. Also, the dining area will contain eco chairs, tables, ceramics, cutlery, table mats and interior design: e.g. wooden shelves and dressers, limestone floors and white lime washed walls surrounded by copper backings in the granite worktop area. Equipment we will use includes copper pots, pans and baking trays, lined with tin; eco ceramics and wooden cutlery – like the shelves and dressers.
"We have a wood fired brick oven and wood fired stoves. Unfortunately there is a need for conventional refrigeration with green electricity, but we will conserve the energy as much as possible. Water is from our own well and heating of water and radiatiors is from our woodchip/pellet boiler.
"Of course the kitchen will need to be monitored even more than the conventional food production system - as it would have been done in the past.
"People can be assured that the food has been prepared in the fairest, most humane and ecological way possible, so as to exceed the current food safety regulations."

Where to from here
For the past seven years Sean and Imelda have invested time, hard labour and lots of money in this project. They are not daunted by the workload that lies ahead and look forward to the challenge, enjoying time to work with their God given talents and enjoying time with their family Michelle, Brienna, Shauna and Patrick and lastly enjoying time just to be. A concept such as is envisaged has the potential to become a huge attraction for not only the vicinity but nationally too.
It is hoped that with the full and understanding co-operation and support of all interested parties and authorities, the project will progress in due course and be launched in 2006. Imelda Daly feels very confident in achieving her ecological dream and believes there is an urgent need for change in modern day living. People have got to adapt and help unravel the problems of civilization.