Solas Glan was set up by Frances Campion in 2015 as a not for profit organisation with the vision of bringing people of all backgrounds together through shared knowledge and experience of natural ways. A place where people could learn, grow and form friendships through hands-on horticultural activities in a safe and natural environment.
The 3 acre site is in Ardbraccan, just outside Navan, Co. Meath. While not certified organic, all our produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides and using only natural fertilisers. Simon and his flock, ducks, chickens and cats ramble freely enjoying the natural streams running through it. As much as possible we use recycled, up-cycled, repurposed and reclaimed materials in the garden
The site is made up of 3 main areas. The first contains 2 large poly tunnels, an outside growing space and raised beds, various fruit trees and bushes, a smoke house and hopefully soon, a kitchen area where we can escape from the cold and wet and have a cuppa! We have planted native Irish hedge attracting native wildlife and birds. The other 2 acres consist partly of a park area with accessible paths that follow the flow of the original trail. Here there are 36 native trees and a wildflower garden with a quiet seating area at it’s heart. We hope to have a sensory garden in this area as well as a medicinal herb garden in the next few years. We also have some native willow and are planning to create and outdoor classroom where we can teach and learn about nature, herbalism, heritage and culture amongst other things.
The rest of the area is ‘wilder’. It’s also where Simon and the flock are housed at night and where the horses frolic and play while the bees happily come and go from their hives all day.
