Monday, June 25, 2007

Arts and Crafts

This is an interesting development for all who are interested in crafts etc.

www.craftfairsandevents.com is a website designed for the benefit of Crafters in Northern Ireland

What are the benefits?

Your own web page advertising your craft, this page will showcase your work and can include 3 pictures, and a few thumbnail images.
Photographs of members work will be posted on The Gallery Page, these will link to the members own page.
As members I hope that we can all share news and dates of Craft Fairs, Events and Shows.
All Craft Fairs and Events emailed to us or sent via the Event Entry Form will be added to the Calendar in the Message Board. This will only be accessible to Website Members.
Access to the Craft Fairs & Events message board to share information with other members.An opportunity to share any Craft news, stories etc
No Computer? You can still join and have a web page these members can have the calendar posted via 'snail mail'
A selling page for your craft using the paypal shopping cart.
Begin your membership at any time of the year to run a full 12 months.
If you can offer Craft Courses we will advertise them on the site Craft Courses Page
Advertise your business on our site

Visit www.craftfairsandevents.com

Teddy bear heritage tour

Good Morning everybody Monday morning and more of whats happening in the Greenbox.
First up Anke from the Silver Bear centre has sent us in the following information.

Irelands Heritage Week

The Bawnboy, Co.Cavan
invites you to take part in a
Teddy Bear Heritage Tour on the 26th of August at 3pm.
" Discover 100 years of history by film, demonstration and an afternoon picnic."
" Workshop afterwards is optional."

For early bookings please contact:
info@silverbearcentre.com
Tel: 049 9523461
Mob: 087 7610537 or
visit www.irishbears.com
You can also pay at the door.
The Silver Bear Centre is located beside
Bear Essentials Showroom, which offers you a 10% discount on all items that afternoon.
We promise a great afternoon out for all the family!

Friday, June 22, 2007

out and about in the greenbox

Hi everybody

Ollie here. A quick update on news and events in the region. Our next newsletter is due out very soon - it is going to the printers next week in fact. Plenty of news on our events, upcoming and just done, our web marketing, national and international recognition and more........so I'll keep this v brief this week folks

We'd a lovely evening out in the Gyreum for the solstice, with 40 ppl from the region and the rest of the island in attendance, to hear and be guided by Mary Quinlan, archeologist and anthropologist....as I type this from the office, the rest of last night's attendees are somewhere between heapstown cairn and knocknarea....

Ard Nahoo has been recognised as one of the ten best healthy retreats in the world by the Guardian newspaper. Developments are still ongoing in Ard Nahoo, which will include an outdoor bathing area, encompassing a hot-tub, detox box, rain shower and steamroom, and a redeveloped garden area. The place opens up again in September, and has a whole range of fantastic options available.

If you click on the packages page of the ever-improving and expanding Greenbox website, you will see both Ard Nahoo's packages, and more on health and wellness in the Greenbox area.

Speaking of the website, our hits are going through the room: in May,we had 182, 577 and the number just keeps growing and growing.....

Ever heard of Slow food? Interested in finding out more about this worldwide movement? Interested in quality, speciality, rare regional foods? Then pop down to the Dock in Carrick on Shannon on Saturday 30th June at 4.30. There, a range of foods Slow Food are interested in showcasing and promoting will be highlighted. These include:
Blood puddings, Dillisk, Kiln roasted oatmeal, Boxty Honey, Drisheen, Moiled cattle. Exceptional Canapes from the Oarsman, featuring these foods and more....

Special guest of the day is Darina Allen, author, chef and Ireland's number one foodie. The event is free, great for learning more about Ireland's special foods, and is followed by a meal in the Oarsman. V V limited number of places available in the Oarsman- ring them NOW to book a place at the table, as there are only 8 left as of today at 4.20 and both local papers will be featuring the event over the next few days.....

Beautiful little festival on in Blacklion next week (click the word blacklion or use the following web address for more http://www.cathalbui.com/ )
Art Workshops (incl kids), Traditional and Classical Music, Storytelling, Film, and Poetry readings, Archaeological Field Trips, Nature Walks, and more more more

Always plenty on in the Organic Centre: permaculture, Lough Melvin information evening...see courses on their new website

I'll save the rest for the newsletter guys! Have a great weekend




Monday, June 18, 2007

Athenry Environmental Network

We are a network of individuals living in and aroundAthenry Co. Galway, promoting environmental awarenessand better living practices for individuals and communities everywhere.

For details of courses and for more information, visit http://www.athenryenvironmentalnetwork.com/

LIVE EARTH

Hi Everyone

Just a newsy bit for your info:

Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent series of 9 concerts taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis.

For more details go to http://www.liveearth.org/.

Karen.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Farm Diversification Expansion Programme for the Tourism and Craft Sectors

LEADER Network for Northern Ireland Ltd (NILN)
(Northern Ireland LEADER Network)

Call for Expressions of Interest

The LEADER Network for Northern Ireland Ltd (NILN Ltd) is the umbrella organisation for the thirteen LEADER Local Action Groups in Northern Ireland. NILN Ltd has secured funding under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity to implement the Farm Diversification Expansion Programme for the Tourism and Craft Sectors.

NILN now wish to invite Expressions of Interest from farm businesses to participate in the programme.

To be eligible for the programme applicants must satisfy the following criteria in full:

Be a farm family member of a registered farm business that has a farm business reference number
Operate an existing tourism and/or craft related farm diversification business which has been in operation for a minimum of 2 years
Have a project idea which focuses on expansion within the tourism and/or craft sectors

Expressions of Interest that are deemed eligible will be invited to complete a full application for funding.

Grant assistance of 50% of total eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £20,000 is available for successful projects. In exceptional circumstances the level of grant assistance may be increased above £20,000.

To obtain an Expression of Interest Form or find out more about the Programme please contact Eamon Gallogly -Tel 028 7133 7149 - email eamon@rapidni.com or
Siobhan McManus – Tel 028 3026 3177 email info@newryandmourneleader.com

The closing date for receipt of completed Expressions of Interest is Friday 20th July 2007 by 5.00pm

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Hello everyone,
One last reminder about the Network meeting that is on in the Lough Allen Education centre tonight from 7.30 to 9.30 .The centre is beside the Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo .Hope to see you all there.

Just in case you don't know the Greenbox has moved house, we are no longer in Manorhamilton Castle, but now reside in our new spacious offices in the Merenda Factory in the Industrial estate . I have attached 2 photos showing some of us beavering away.

Ollie hard at work in Greenbox office.

Karen and Ian seem equally as busy!

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Tipi Holidays

Our 18-foot hand painted Sioux Indian Tipi sleeps up to 4 people in great comfort. It is a beautiful living space and offers protection from the elements whilst allowing you to experience the freshness being outside and close to nature.

The tipi is really cosy with futon style beds, cushions, rugs, bedding and a central wood burning brassier. There is a gas stove for cooking, with pans, crockery and cutlery. There is a compost toilet and washing facilities nearby. We offer a free pick up from Enniskillen or Omagh Bus Station. We are on the King Fisher Cycle route. www.cycletoursireland.com

Extras available
 Home cooked evening meals delivered to your tipi or full board
 Organic and Local Food hamper
 Sumptuous Packed lunches to go
 Laundry service
 Hire of the Canadian canoe and bicycles
 Traditional Thai Massage

Booking and availability
Available for August only 2007.
ALL Prices are per stay and based on 4 or less people sharing
Standard Package includes a free welcome hamper.

 Weekend Escape: three day, two-night stay, costs £240,
 Mid Week Magic: Up to 4 days and three nights £280
 Full Week : 7 days and six nights £660

Deluxe Full Board
This includes, free welcome food hamper, sumptuous packed lunches, and home cooked evening supper, free use of bikes and canoe with personal copy of local maps and one guided tour in the area for up to 4 persons.
 Weekend Retreat. Three day, two night £400
 Mid Week Special Three days two nights £500
 Four day get away: Four days and three nights £600
 Seventh Heaven: seven day, six night stay £950

How to book
Passport Breifne
www.passport-breifne.com
tel 00353(0)71 96 43963

For more information on Orchard Acre Farm Packages and Eco tourism in Ireland
www.orchardacrefarm.com
www.greenbox.ie

Herb Day

6/6/07

Press release/to the editor

Herb Day updates

Herb Alert! 15th June 7.30pm

A fantastic feast of over twenty herb based dishes. Full menu below.

This Saturday evening (9th) The Grass Roof Cafe will be open from 6-8pm for a simple three course meal of freshly made, seasonal, organic and vegetarian dishes - all for the bargain price of €20pp including tea or coffee.

Reserve your place on 071 985 4338.

HERB ALERT!
At the Grass Roof Café

Make thyme for The Grass Roof Café at The Organic Centre Rossinver on Friday 15th June at 7.30pm to experience over twenty herb taste sensations in a single meal! As Herb Alpert might have said – ‘Tijuana be there or Tijuana be square?’

To welcome you:

Mint Julep, rosemary roasted nuts and tiny chervil sandwiches

To Start

Oregano pizza bread with mixed herb tahini dip, carrot and dill pureé, spicy mint chutney and salsa verde

Soup course

Pasta i fagioli – Italian thick bean and pasta soup – served with parsley gremolata and grape and fennel bread

A help yourself buffet

Basil and lemon risotto; braised potatoes with sage, parsley, chives and basil; sorrel sauce; cannelloni bean and tarragon salad; Tabouleh – bulgar wheat and parsley salad; mixed herb and leaves salad with edible flowers and herbed vinaigrette

Sweet things

Apple and rosemary cake; apricot and rosewater cream; rhubarb and sweet cicely fool; lemon and violet jelly

Tea or coffee

Served with lavender biscuits

Where else can all this be had for €35.00 per head (€20.00 for children)?

Designated Drivers - Book six places and get one place free!

Organic wine available by the glass and by the bottle.

Early booking is really helpful – so reserve your seat now on 071 985 4338 or e mail organiccentre@eircom.net

The Grass Roof Café at The Organic Centre is open everyday from 11am – 4pm. A light organic lunch and fair-trade tea and coffee are always available. Other evening events are often organised – see over for more details or visit our website www.theorganiccentre.ie

www.hugthebundle.com

Well Folks,

If anyone hasn’t had the chance to visit Hug the Bundle then please check out the following link www.hugthebundle.com

To celebrate World Environment Day Hug The Bundle is offering 15% off all organic cotton baby and toddler clothes, handcrafted jigsaws and Earth Mama Angel Baby Skin Care. These are rock bottom prices!! Check out the bundle blog for latest products. http://hugthebundle.blogspot.com/

Warm Regards
Marian

Marian Gilmartin
Hug the Bundle
9 Main Street
Belleek
Co.Fermanagh
N.Ireland
BT93 3FY

web: www.hugthebundle.com
email: info@hugthebundle.com
tel: +44 (0)79 306 79985

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Links to the Greenbox Website

The Greenbox is now initiating a links exchange programme in order to increase the exposure of the Greenbox website both nationally and internationally.

For this to be successful, we need all our partners, members and stakeholders to show the Greenbox as a link on their own websites.

I would very much appreciate if you could add our site www.greenbox.ie to your site.

Please post your replies as comments on the blog.

Many thanks, Karen.

New Course for Network Members

Hi all,

New course on website under Centres of Learning and then Food.

http://www.greenbox.ie/index.php/food.php?break=478

Yoga in the Greenbox

International Yoga Teacher
To visit
Blaney Spa & Yoga Centre Fermanagh


Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre is proud to announce a first for Fermanagh and Northern Ireland, by hosting the world famous Richard Spahn Yoga Tutor on the weekend of 9th and 10th June.

Richard is dropping into Ireland for a short visit during his world tour which includes New Zealand, America and other European countries. His style of yoga has been learnt directly from Indian master Shri patin in India . As Gabriele Managing Director of Blaney Spa said,

“ For anyone with even the slightest interest in yoga this is a fantastic opportunity to receive personal attention from one of the world’s best”

Yoga is now widely recognised as a huge benefit for health and well-being. Regular practice is often recommended by medical practitioners for all manner of ailments, including back pain and stress relief.

This exciting event is one of many yoga packages being developed by Gabriele and her team at Blaney Spa, during the coming year. In June alone there are 2 yoga events, painting workshops and a Mid Summer Fest with gorgeous food and music. The Blaney Spa is a luxurious facility overlooking Lough Erne and it is open to all, no memberships fees are required. Gabriele went on to point out,

“ Blaney is a dedicated yoga and spa centre of very high standards. But we open our doors to all, there is no membership fees and no exclusivity. We really want to provide healing from within these walls.”

Blaney Spa is a member of the Greenbox a new cross border tourism initiative, that combines high environmental standards without comprising on luxury or facilities. A spokes person for the Greenbox Mary Mulvey said,

“Blaney Spa is located beside Lough Erne is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. By choosing to incorporate eco standards into her business business, Gabriele can be confident that her commercial activities will not spoil this natural resource.”

All the events are published on the Blaney website and Greenbox websites. The yoga weekend has already got booking from all over the world.

As well as the health benefits yoga is very effective at firming up the body and creating tone and shape. Famous names such as Madonna regularly practice yoga for their health well being and maintaining her figure.

Bookings for the weekend can be made directly on www.yogaholidayireland.com or by Tel Derrygonnelly 028 686 41525


For more information contact Gabriele on 028 686 21066 or 0777 559 2252

Friday, June 1, 2007

World Environment Day

Hi Everyone

Karen here. Check out the link below for details on World Environment Day which takes place of Tuesday, June 5th 2007.

What will you be doing to celebrate it?

http://www.unep.org/wed/2007/english/