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Welcome to the website of The Hollies Centre for Practical Sustainability in West Cork. In 2002, the Hollies obtained a planning permission from Cork County Council, and after many years hard work, we began work on creating a model of permaculture and rural sustainability in practice. Through running high quality practical courses and also through the creation of working examples of sustainability in practice, it is our aim to show that not only is a sustainable future practical, it is also good fun and ultimately it brings us a higher quality of life.

In 2003 we started building 2 cob houses – one was one is nearing completion and one was severely damaged in a fire in October 2004.

We are also currently developing a sustainability program for local schools which is running as a pilot project between February and June 2006 with funding from West Cork Leader.

We are open to volunteers, so if you would like to stay here for a period of time, and learn how to build with cob and other sustainable living skills, do get in touch with us. To view 2006’s programme of courses, which will include an opportunity to study cob building with renowned cob building teachers Ianto Evans and Linda Smiley, as well as other courses click here.

Under the 'Solutions' link above you will find some of our experience so far in terms of the practicalities of trying to live sustainably, including details of some of the natural building projects we have been involved in. We are also looking for people to become residents here, you will find more details above.

We hope that you enjoy this site and we welcome any feedback. We hope to see you on one of our courses.