Ard Nahoo

I’ve done it again. Fridays are just such a busy day at Ard Nahoo that unfortunately the blog suffers. But never again! As of next Friday, I will not rest until the Friday Five is complete. So here is the last ever Saturday Six…

1. Ard Na Zoo is getting a little crowded. Although with one in the window and one out the door, nature has a way of balancing itself out. Although I’m not sure the fish see it that way….we have a heron. And as we have a heron, we no longer have any fish. There are a few little ones who managed to hide in time, but the others weren’t so lucky. We’re going to build a scareheron, but does anyone else have any ideas?

2. We are in desperate need of Broadband. There is a high chance that we are the only business in the land who still have to listen to the dial up tones of Ye Olde Internet. If anyone knows of any company who can provide, then please, please, PLEASE pass on their details.

3. Our Family Eco Retreat is now planned, scheduled, and being-looked-forward-to. July 4th - 11th will be the week of fun filled activities for the kids, family evenings, and chances for the parents to relax. Most importantly, Ard Nahoo offers 6 acres for the kids to explore, far away from anything resembling traffic. More details can be found on our website, or contact us directly.

4. We have a new Wwoofer with us this week, Naoko from Japan. Wwoof (Worldwide Workers on Organic Farms) is an organisation that links willing workers with hosts all around the world. We regularly have wwoofers here, and they are an integral part of Ard Nahoo.

5. Don’t think I’d forgotten about the Bread War. The recipes are ready to go online, and we already have one fascinated observer in the form of Olga at the Greenbox. I think I know which side she’s veering towards, but it’ll be won fair and square. By me.

6. We’ve had quite a few group bookings recently. Healthy Hen Parties, yoga groups, writer’s organisations and corporate events have been interested in using Ard Nahoo as their facility. Groups can avail of the Uisce Hour, a yoga class, holistic therapies, meeting room and organic food. If you are part of a group who would like to use Ard Nahoo, please get in touch.

There’s another Saturday Six! Have a great weekend.

Set to be an immensely popular weekend, these retreats combine yoga classes in our stunning yoga studio and surf lessons and workshops in Sligo, where some of the best surf in Europe can be found. Stay in our unique Eco Cabins and enjoy good food, great location and friendly company. For more information on this retreat, please contact the facilitator Paul Byrne at paulebyrne@gmail.com or call 087 6439583.

Dates: 23rd - 25th May 2008

Cost: €310

We’ve had literally tens of people tuning in each Friday to see what five snippets of wisdom appear. Unfortunately, yesterday was just too darned busy for me to get around to the blog. But fret not, that piece of bad news creates this bit of good….it’s the Saturday Six!

1. On Thursday we found a bat just outside the house. The poor little guy was shaking but not visibly injured. So we picked him up and made a little house, with the work glove he had become very attached to. Luckily, he made it through the night, and yesterday we put him out on the highest window sill so he could make a break for it. Apparently he doesn’t feel quite ready, so he’s sticking around for a little while yet. Introducing the newest member of Ard Na Zoo…Bartleby!

2. Today is the last day that the Community Connections group are here, which means that by 1pm we will have an Earthen Oven, which we’re very excited about. The oven has been made by the Dromahair youth group with the Active Age folks, under the expert supervision of Gareth. Authentic pizza, here we come!

3. This week we began planting around the new Eco Cabins. Niki Briers was here to plan and plant, and the Eco Cabins are now surrounded by a rosemary hedge, which smells just divine, apple, pear and plum trees, as well as numerous berry bushes. Now we just have to patiently wait for the fruits. In the meantime however, the plants look gorgeous and really make the difference to the new buildings.

4. We’re very excited about the recent yoga births that we’ve had (not on the premises, I might add). The first flux of yoga for pregnancy mothers have given birth to beautiful and healthy babies just in time for the start of our Baby Massage and Baby Yoga classes, which start this Thursday.

5. A bread battle has broken out at Ard Nahoo. The two recipes (and chefs) are duking it out in order to win the coveted title of Ard Nahoo Bread. If you’ve stayed here before you’ll have tasted one of the two, most likely the traditional loaf that has held the title for many years. But change is not something to be feared. Embrace the new! Incidentally, both recipes are the easiest way to make bread. No kneading, no rising, no messing about. I’ll post both recipes in the next few days so you can decide.

6. We’re featured in this months edition of the National Geographic Adventure magazine, in an article detailing the Best Green Adventures. We’re very honoured to be featured in a prestigious publication such as the National Geographic, especially as a big pile are sitting in the green room for any resident or visitor who wants to have an interesting read. This spinoff magazine features the best places for extreme sports, tours, and…adventure! There are so many activities on our doorstep that people can avail of. Hiking, surfing, kayaking, rafting, horseriding, biking, caving…the list goes on. If you’re staying at Ard Nahoo then just ask and we will tell you how to make the most of the area.

Tune in next week for the Friday Five!

Last night our continuers yoga class was taught by guest teacher Annette Murphy, over from the Santosha yoga studio in San Francisco. A world renowned Iyengar teacher, Annette had the whole class pushing themselves to their limits, with headstands, handstands and inversions aplenty. The class was enjoyed by all, and a fascinating change of pace from our Hatha based classes. If you’re ever in San Francisco, visit her at www.santoshayogacenter.com

The time has come. Over the Easter weekend the Hooper swans that migrate to our namesake Loch Nahoo every year flew on, leaving the few Mute swans to their own devices (I’m sure they’re secretly pleased to have their lake back to themselves again)

This year we counted over 60, which is fabulous. They’ve also been a lot more playful, coming closer to the pathways than ever before. We also had one fly directly over our heads one afternoon. It’s been great to see them so closely.

We’re making the most of Loch Nahoo, as it won’t be long before the waters are gone, and it will be marshland for another summer. The waters have been higher than ever before, so perhaps this year it will stick around a little longer.

Ard Nahoo is proud to be a founding member of the Wise Woman Weekend. This all women festival is held annually at St Angela’s College on the shores of Lough Gill on the Sligo/Leitrim county border. This is a weekend of learning, discovery, celebration and fun that honours all it means to be a woman. The next Wise Woman Weekend is June 6th to June 8th, 2008 and the programme is now finalized and a brochure is available at www.wisewomanireland.com

1. The summer weekends are really beginning to book up for guest teachers hosting their own retreats. About to be confirmed is a Surf Yoga Retreat, to be held in May, along with a few more in the pipeline from teacher Carol Murphy. There will also be a retreat around the theme of the divine feminine, which should be happening in July. For up to date information, please consult our website.

2. Speaking of Summer holidays, week long lets are beginning to get full. If you would like to stay closer to home for your family holiday this year, contact us for more information.

3. Next week we have author of ‘Z to Z of England’ and ‘Greatest Places to Hide’, Dixe Wills, here to stay while cycling the new route developed by Sustrans. He’ll be cycling 130 miles accross counties Leitrim, Donegal, Sligo and Fermanagh for an article in The Guardian. Luckily we’re at the start of the route, so he’ll still be walking when he arrives!

4. Tomorrow is the second day we’ll be visited by the Dromahair Youth Group and the Active Age society. These groups are coming together to build an Earthern oven with local artist Gareth Kennedy. Hopefully the sunshine will win out, and they’ll be able to get some good work in! We’re hoping to be using the Earthern Oven for pizza parties during our family retreats in the summer, and will also be welcoming the group back to try out their creation!

5. Finally, a big Happy Birthday to Nessa, who is here with all of the family to celebrate her big day. Have a great weekend Nessa!

After all of the celebration of our first Friday Five, the eagerly awaited second edition was unfortunately absent. This is all to be explained in the all new, all improved, second ever, Friday Five!

1. Last Saturday, we were featured in the Irish Times, in the article “Chill Out Zone” by Fiona McCann. If you subscribe to the Irish Times, you can read the article here…

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/travel/2008/0308/1204843563929.html

We were over the moon to have such a glowing article written about us for such a prestigious paper. Here is a little snippet…

“The classes, pitched to all levels, are conducted by Noeleen Tyrrell, half the partnership behind Ard Nahoo, who manages to make two hours of yoga pass with ease. With a clear voice that thankfully eschews the sing-song, airy tones of so many of her ilk, her instructions are precise, her approach accommodating and the room an airy, spacious studio that maximises the morning sun”

2. The next Yoga & Relaxation Retreat we have scheduled is on April 25th - 27th. If you want any information about the weekend, please get in touch.

3. Just a few minutes ago, our internet connection was fixed. After almost two weeks of sobbing, kicking, endless phonecalls to Eircom, and cycling 20 minutes down the road to use a neighbour’s computer, we are back online. I wish I could tell you all what the problem was, but all I know is that it was a very large inconvenience. One that wasn’t appreciated even for comedic value (of which there was none). I don’t think we can truly appreciate how much we do rely on the web until it’s taken away. Do you remember a pre google world? Wherever you are, the chances that you have a better internet connection than us is great. Here is the whispered confession…..we are still on dial up. Not, I might add, by choice. We are constantly looking for a company who can connect us. That time will come, but in the mean time, I’m just glad we have any kind of connection!

4. This may or may not have tied in with the crazy storms we experienced early this week. The winds were absolutely manic, we’re very fortunate that nothing was damaged. Luckily, we’re now welcoming back the hazy Leitrim sunshine. It’s almost summer…

5. As I’m sure you all know, it’s Paddy’s Day on Monday, so we’re getting ready for a weekend full of craic, as Gaeilge. Slan!

Welcome to the new regular feature on our Blog, the Friday Five! Each week I’ll be writing about five different things about Ard Nahoo, including news, features, offers and thoughts. So without further ado, the Friday Five!

1. We had our first Yoga & Relaxation Retreat last weekend, and a fantastic time was had by all. The daily Uisce Hour was a big hit, and the food was to die for. Maria McCole catered the entire weekend, and also sold various items afterwards. The next scheduled retreat we have is the Eco Retreat, which will be happening in the summer.

2. Now open at Ard Nahoo is our small shop, selling organic wholefood items, local produce and select cosmetics. Check out www.ardnahoo.com/shop for more details, and a photo.

3. An absolute gale is blowing outside, knocking the deck chairs over our dog, Buddy, and shaking our baby willow trees like mad! Last week the weather was divine, blue skies and sunshine, and sitting in the hot tub you felt like you were in the mediteranan.

4. Making an appearance on the decking last weekend was an army of frogs. Usually spotted jumping around our pond, these little guys we being bold for the yoga crowd and hopping around for all to see. We’ll be expecting a troop of babies soon!

5. This week we had woodturner Niall arrive with signs for all of Ard Nahoo. Made of native trees, these beautiful pieces of art now adorn all our doors, Eco Cabins and walls. The only problem is trying to think of anything else we need signposted, as they really are stunning, and the perfect finishing touch for the new Ard Nahoo.

As always, if you have any questions about what we offer at Ard Nahoo, or would like to make a booking, you can contact us Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm at info@ardnahoo.com or by calling +353 71 91 34939. And don’t forget our website, at www.ardnahoo.com

It was a very exciting Monday here at Ard Nahoo. We were lucky enough to have leader of the Green Party Minister John Gormley pay us a visit, as part of a tour of the Greenbox region. The minister was here to officially open our brand new Eco Cabins, and was very impressed with what he saw. Check out local news for articles about the visit.

We didn’t just have a political visitor this week, we also had an old friend return to our gardens. Buster the Badger is back, and is showing his presence by digging up our Mandala. No sightings as yet, but as last year he would come to our back door, we’re expecting to see him any day now. As soon as we get broadband, we’ll be putting video footage up!

Finally, our wholefood shop is now open. Selling a variety of rice, pastas and beans, as well as local eggs and homemade bread, our shop is there to make your stay at Ard Nahoo that little bit easier. A stock list will be uploaded to our website soon, and updated regularly.