We were lucky all around with the Inishowen Summer Gathering. Most importantly the sun shone on that memorable July weekend! The dream of having a temporary village which existed on totally natural and sustainable practices became a reality. For a few days people from all walks of life and from all over the country shared a green by the beach on the Isle of Doagh. The themes of Heritage, Environment and Community lay the foundation for a celebration of the beauty of the local area and gave people a taste of organic living and environmental ideas. Parents knew their children were in a safe place, children had a taste of freedom and creativity, food was organic and produced locally, heritage and environmental displays and activities were plentiful and constant for all to experience a taste of the natural and sustainable.

I am keen on sustainable practices. I am also happy to have had an opportunity to experience an event at which everywhere you looked were examples of simple, wholesome, natural and sustainable activities taking place. I’m told that the children are still taking about it. And many of the adults are continuing to learn about green living and healthy practices. I feel that following a few important guidelines, this type of event can take place anywhere in the county. In fact, I believe that communities would enjoy and benefit greatly from a local Summer Gathering. Of course, I would love to see more of this activity throughout the year! Indeed it does go on, on a smaller scale. The summer is a great time for all to gather and share a beautiful location and enjoy wholesome activities and learn a bit more about living sustainably.

It took a small dedicated committee and friends a few months to organise this ‘green’ community-centred weekend. The energy that carried it came from the enormous good will of mostly mothers of young children. The financial support came from the local County Council, Rural Development Office and local ethical business. Local people enthusiastically offered their skills. They were supported by people from the rest of Ireland offering to help. They came to help build the structures, to demonstrate their hand-crafts and to share their ecological studies.

I would like to highlight some of the elements of the Inishowen Summer Gathering which I believe helped to make it so special. It is not a new event. It is an event which selected aspects of Green Festivals, traditional gatherings and Rainbow gatherings. I believe it was a balance between the past and the future in that we invited participation of people with knowledge and skills of the traditions of the area and we are learning to act responsibly to allow future generations to have sufficient provisions for survival. One of our sayings is “An eye on the past with a view on the future”.

We chose to use only natural materials for everything –from children’s activities to building materials. Our bins were woven from willow and the most popular children’s game was playing in the hay! Only if we couldn’t find natural materials suitable for the project, did we then go to the next best thing – recycled materials.

All our activities were inclusive and non-competitive. This goes a long way to creating a good environment. Non-competitive activities allows equal involvement and provides a safe space for all to be in.

Workshops on offer allowed the participant to experience hands-on creativity. Even erecting our shelters was a creative experience for the group. We made huge ‘benders’ with locally sourced hazel, covered with canvas, for the Welcome Tent. Our Theatre was made from polytunnel frames, walled with hay and covered with a large canvas. The workshops and displays ranged from clay pot making to natural voice singing, a spinning wheel demo to meditation with art, and willow weaving to natural instrument making. Creativity is a key in being fully human! And being creative by actually making and doing is most rewarding! Again the atmosphere was enhanced with all the creativity about.

The Gathering is for the locals, by the locals primarily. We are delighted to invite guests and visitors to participate and share. In the lead up to the event, local involvement was always welcome. The local media kept the Gathering in our minds by mentioning how one might become involved and help. People who volunteered seem to have had a great belief in the event. It was obvious how it works both ways, in that “you give –you get”. All seemed to get a lot of fulfilment and enjoyment from their work with the Gathering. Skills like those shared by the Coppice Association (hurdle fence making, pole-lathe wood turning) were eagerly received and one hopes that in time local people will re-learn these skills and be able to offer workshops in them in future events.

Amongst our colourful hand painted information signs was one which read – “Responsible Action” with ? (a tick). I came across the term “Responsible Tourism” while reading about Eco-Tourism and it resonated well with me. The nature of the event was to be caring and responsible towards each other and the environment. Another sign read “Mind the Orchids”. Some people walked barefoot and were safe to. We also aimed to have no alcohol or vehicles on site. All the provisions needed for a weekend event were provided. We had a small crew minding things like the toilets, bins, night lighting and food. The members of the public acted responsibly and shared the tasks of keeping things running smoothly.

In the spirit of sustainability, we wanted to ensure that people got payment for their workshops plus expenses. Some said that they wouldn’t expect payment as this was a first time event. Others said if you make enough money then I’ll accept a small fee towards work done. Some got full payment and expenses. If you are booking someone for their skills and time, I feel it is important to pay! The whole voluntary thing can be short lived in today’s world. Our grants didn’t cover everything and we needed to charge the public –but how? The location was fairly open and we didn’t have enough ‘staff’ to cover all the entrances. There was a lot on offer and some people may want to ‘poke their heads in’ briefly or join in as they were passing. We used the “Voluntary Contribution” system as described by Judith Hoad. Large glass jars were at every event and people were invited to contribute regularly. Our contributions were counted regularly and the six foot thermometer in the Welcome Tent was updated throughout the weekend. It worked and all our bills have been paid. None of the hard working committee were paid. If this is to be a sustainable event, this issue will have to be addressed. Such an event is organised by motivated people who may or may not want payment, but in the long run, many benefit economically from this type of event and paid staff to run it is fitting.

I am still reading the magazines and pamphlets which I picked up at the information stall. Interesting and eco-friendly products that I bought there decorate the house. I’ve been to the Green Living Fair and met people who’d like to come to Inishowen to the next Gathering. I am comforted by the knowledge that there is a movement in Ireland of people living more green lifestyles, and who are also keeping alive the local traditions and love of the land. More people are making the decision to stop supporting multi-national producers and are favouring local business and produce. I am happy to have worked on the Inishowen Summer Gathering and I hope that some of what I’ve shared can help others in organising similar events. The Gathering was intended as a one off event. There have been requests to have it again. I, however have other commitments and will not be involved, should there be a Gathering next year.

See www.inishowensummergathering.com for reviews, photos and news.

If people in the area are interested in learning about permaculture, growing organic food and similar subjects or in joining the Creative Parenting Group (Steiner based) please do get in touch.

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Telephone: (074) 937 4557.

Kathleen O’Hara founded the Inishowen Summer Gathering and was it’s first Chairperson. She is a mother of a two year old and runs a Positive Parenting and Pre-school Group and Creative Parenting Inishowen Group. She and her husband Brendan Farren plan to continue to live and work in Inishowen, Donegal.

Local Agenda 21 is an action plan agreed at the 1992 United Nations Conference. It supports local community participation in transforming the dominant unsustainable patterns of development. LA 21 empowers people to bring sustainable activities to their area.