Courses and Events

Scéalta Beo Permaculture Design are delighted to be facilitating a unique inter-generational, PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) in Co. Offaly in the Irish Heartlands this summer. 

The course will follow the PDC Core Curriculum in an embodied, creative and interactive way with practical hands-on activities on site, shared learning and design skills. 

Participants will get a chance to develop their own projects both during and in between sessions and also to take part in a group design and presentation at the end. Supporting materials and links with more information will be available. No previous Permaculture knowledge is required. 

Topics include 

• Permaculture ethics and principles; 
• design tools and frameworks; 
• soil; 
• water; 
• plants and trees; 
• food and growing systems; 
• forest gardening; 
• social permaculture, 
• sustainable buildings and much more. 

The course will be facilitated by Annette Corkery (Herby) and Lexington Lovesmyth (Lex) and begins on Friday 5th June (arrive between 3pm and 5.30pm). It runs over the weekend until Sunday 7th.

This will be followed by a full week on site from 9th to 15th July and a final weekend session from Friday evening 4th to Sunday 6th September 2026. 

See a brief introduction to Permaculture here.

The Permaculture Ethics: Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share will be central to the course, which will offer immersive co-learning for adults and accompanying children, with a focus on community building and social  permaculture. Adults without children are also very welcome to attend. Camping will be available onsite throughout the course and some food will be provided. 

Fees (payable in installments)

The fees for participating adults who wish to receive the internationally recognised Certificate from the Permaculture Association UK are on a sliding scale from €800 to €1200.

We ask those who can afford it to pay a bit extra to do so, to allow us to support those with a lower income who may not have other funding available. Payment plans can be arranged.  Contact us to discuss this and other options if price is a barrier to attending. 

Deposit of €200 is required to secure your place. 

The Training Support Grant (TSG) (up to €1000) is available for Social Welfare participants. Check here for details. 

Call 086 3027602 or email scealtabeopermculture@gmail.com for more details. 

Tutors

Herby

Annette Corkery (Herby) is a Certified Educator with the Permaculture Association UK and has completed the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design as well as two Permaculture Teacher Training courses, one with a focus on children. A Children in Permaculture Practitioner, Herby also has a Masters in Education, focusing on integrating art across the Primary School curriculum and is currently a Heritage in Schools Specialist who helps children and school staff explore their local history, biodiversity and heritage with a view to designing and transforming their outdoor spaces into interactive learning labs with a focus on nature connection and edible plants. Herby is an artist and storyteller and was co-founder of Creative Ardagh/Scéalta Beo (Living Stories) which was based in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, Co. Longford from 2011 to 2024.

Lex

Lexington Lovesmyth (Lex) is a creative facilitator, movement & visual artist, musician, permaculture designer/teacher & yoga teacher who designs and delivers projects worldwide with their unique, fresh, fun and creative style, They have worked in forests, woodlands, gardens, arts centres/galleries, businesses, hospitals, schools, prisons and retreat centres.

Lex has an MA in Puppetry, 4 years training in 3D design with distinction, 6 years deep study in yoga & yoga therapy plus 32 years of continual practice, 27 years of practising Permaculture with various qualifications, including Social Permaculture (Cultural Emergence) with a focus on people care, regenerative farming & worldwide wildlife corridor link-ups.

Current projects include – 

• Artist in residence/creative director on a large multi-faceted intergenerational permaculture project in Newhaven Fort Road Community Forest Garden.
• Creating a touring show/kids online programme called ‘A Tiny Drop Of Magic’ which is a modern-day folktale about biodiversity and belonging, aimed at marginalised groups touring in a travelling greenhouse with puppet/mask show, birdbox sounds system and cinema 
• CEO of Fionnlocha Wild Nature Sanctuary – Regeneration project in Ireland focused on land, people & culture 

Lex is GenderQueer and uses they/them pronouns. They regularly lead LGBTQI+ meditation retreats. Lex is passionate about inclusivity and diversity; they are a Level 3 BSL (British Sign Language) communicator, Mental Health First Aider and an Emergency First Aider.