Have a look at the new Course Program for 2012
Giftvouchers available

Welcome to the Homepage of The Hollies – a centre for training in Practical Sustainability on about 30 acres near Castletown-Kenneigh, Enniskeane, in West Cork, Ireland. It is owned by An Baile Dulra Teoranta, a non-profitmaking company with charitable status for the educational work it promotes. It aims to create working examples of what a sustainable society might look like in the areas of housing, energy, gardening, economics and community development. Since 1999 The Hollies has been developing educational programs and putting in place examples of various natural building techniques. The Hollies is particularly known as the prime place for the revival of cob building in Ireland. We are also developing inspiring, productive and educational gardens and woodlands.

We keep developing our sustainability programs for local schools. A pilot project – Living with One Planet – was successfully run in 2006 with funding from West Cork Leader and further developed in 2007/8 with funding from Irish Aid including a training module for secondary school teachers. We also offer tours for schools and other groups as well as innovative and interactive programs focusing on all aspects of sustainable living.

We are open to volunteers, so if you would like to stay here for a period of time (min. 2 weeks), and learn how to build with cob, work in organic gardens and other sustainable living skills, do get in touch with us. Visits by appointment only. Phone: 023 8847001 We hope that you enjoy this site and we welcome any feedback. We hope to see you on one of our courses.