One mighty small bog in South County Carlow, Ireland, needing restoration, has inspired this new online course:

Anchored with reference to community-led peatland restoration and the geo-ecological context of The Drummin Bog Project,  this new Haumea Ecoversity online 6-module course introduces an understanding. It aims to increase nature connection.

Cathy Fitzgerald, a Drummin Bog Committee member, developed this new course. Martin Lyttle and Nikos Patedakis contributed to its development. The County Carlow Arts Office supports the course. All are welcome to join.

The first Guest Speaker talk (via Zoom) is on Tues 9 December at 7pm, with the rest of the Guest talks in early 2026. Additional information is provided in modules on an online platform and participants can network in the online forum.

There is a significant subsidy for County Carlow residents, and discounts for people who have previously participated in a Haumea Ecoversity course.


We gratefully acknowledge that this new course is supported by a 2025 County Carlow Arts Office Arts Act Grant.*

*As such, County Carlow residents can avail of a subsidised course fee of €29, a discount of €149 for past Haumea Ecoversity learners, and the full course fee is €249.

With Wonderful Irish & International Guest Speakers

we will explore an inspiring new cosmology underpinned by evolutionary science, how creative interpretation and night-time, outdoor experiences can foster wonder, gratitude and responsibility to care for our outdoor places.

In 6 modules, we will explore:

• with Niamh Brennan, Our Evolving Universe Story (a new cosmology based on evolutionary science)
• Cosmic-EcoPoetry with US cosmic poet Drew Dellinger
• the Way of the Sacred Ecologist with US author, musician K Lauren de Boer
• learn about conducting Cosmic and Deep Time Walks with Robert Woodford, Scotland
•  explore Irish & International Dark Sky initiatives  and the vital eco-ethics of Earth Charter with Cathy Fitzgerald and Leave No Trace Ireland with Aoibhín Ryan, and NUIG NPWS Dark Skies Researcher and Tourism Developer, Georgia MacMillan
• as well thinking of local materials for community-built eco-furniture with architect / community artist Philip Ryan | Nocht Studio.
• We will also review Deep Time Walks at Carlow’s An Gáirdín Beo | Community Garden’s Cosmic Walk, at Cabragh Wetlands, and Spanish Point Co Clare, Ireland and across the world.

Places are limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Acknowledgments:

We gratefully acknowledge that this new course is supported by a 2025 County Carlow Arts Office Arts Act Grant.
*As such, County Carlow residents can avail of a subsidised course fee.

This course has been inspired by Haumea Ecoversity Founder – Facilitator Dr Cathy Fitzgerald’s ongoing involvement with the County Carlow Creative Drummin Programme – part of the County Carlow Drummin Bog Project .

From 2017, Creative Drummin has been an eco-creative community peatland engagement programme, developed with support from the Carlow ArtLinks, Creative Ireland Carlow and the Arts Council, and through the Carlow Arts Office-led Gnáthóga Nádúrtha | Natural Habitat Programme 2022-24.

This new course is also inspired by Cathy Fitzgerald and her colleague Nikos Patedakis’ ongoing work to develop the pioneering and popular Haumea Ecoversity for transformative ecoliteracy learning – a membership community, mentoring, and CPD for local authorities and sustainability organisations. Haumea Ecoversity is proudly a member of the international Ecoversities Alliance.

In gratitude, there are discounts for this new course to founding and current Haumea Ecoversity members, and also to past learners from 2019 onwards who have gathered and supported Cathy and Nikos’ work.

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