We are delighted to share that the “Evening Thoughts, Dark Skies, Deep Time” course held online over the winter months (2025-6) is now a FREE online self-paced learning resource to increase nature connection for adults. It is now permanently available on the Drummin Bog website.

Inspired by the community-led restoration of Drummin Bog, its rich geo-ecological context and planned boardwalk and nature woodland paths (for 2027/8), the Evening Thoughts: Dark Sky, Deep Time online module learning resource was originally a live online course hosted during the winter of 2025/6. It was developed by Drummin Bog Committee member, Cathy Fitzgerald, founder of Haumea Ecoversity – a transformative ecoliteracy learning community.

This rich and inspiring Evening Thoughts Resource has video replays of international and national speakers’ presentations and talks.

Each module and the invited Guest Speaker invites you to explore

• The wonders of the Cosmos, and the evolving Story of the Universe
• cosmic eco-poetry to inspire awe and activism
• Cosmic-ecosprituality and creativity
• Deep Time Walks**: how to explore and facilitate the wonder of the evolution of Earth and life, walking with others in your area (this is an international growing walking movement).
• the vital values of Leave No Trace Ireland**,
• Dark Sky initiatives, dark storytelling and poetry nights, and light pollution prevention to help decrease biodiversity loss in Ireland and across the world.
• Local materials with volunteer groups (Men’s sheds) to provide ecological conversations and to provide locally-made seating and shelter for gatherings, for learning, talks and performances. Including also how to create mobile studios using horse-boxes.
• Archiving and building audiences around sites of restoration and regeneration, through blog ‘diary’ websites.

All the material helps us reflect on how much change is needed and why outdoor engagement is crucial to increasing people’s connection to nature.

** The Deep Time Walk and app are affiliated with Earth Charter International – the Earth Charter guides the holistic ecological and intergenerational vision of the Drummin Bog Project. See here

*** During this course, the Drummin Bog Project became a proud Community Member of Leave No Trace Ireland. See how we aspire to share these values with visitors to Drummin Bog here

Acknowledgments:

Grateful thanks to the Carlow Arts Office for supporting the development, the speakers, facilitators and delivery of this online course, now a resource.

Deepest thanks to all the speakers who gave so generously to make this a wonderful learning resource.

Many thanks to philosopher Dr Nikos Patedakis (California) for co-facilitating this course, and Haumea Ecoversity members past and present who joined this course with much enthusiasm

Many thanks to the Drummin Bog Committee and friends of Haumea Ecoversity who also supported this course.

From 2017, Creative Drummin (involving Drummin Bog Committee Members Jules Michael and Cathy Fitzgerald) has been pioneering eco-creative community peatland engagement, with ecoliteracy advisory support from Cathy Fitzgerald’s Haumea Ecoversity. The Creative Drummin programme has been developed with support from Carlow ArtLinks, Creative Ireland Carlow and the Arts Council, and through the Carlow Arts Office-led Gnáthóga Nádúrtha | Natural Habitat Programme 2022-24. Creative Drummin findings from Jules and Cathy have also contributed to the 2026 Guide for Wetland Communities Engaging in Creative Projects, produced by Ireland’s Community Wetlands Forum, launched by Minister Christopher O’Sullivan at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.