Find a Forest School in Down

Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes Forest School
Ballyburren, 143 Dromore Rd, Ballinahinch, County Down, Northern Ireland BT24 8HZ
David Mallon +442895816650
info@ballyburren.com
https://www.ballyburren.com/activities/forest-school/

The Honeybees Forest School
Glasswater Wood, Crossgar, Co. Down
thehoneybees@wildwoodcrafts.ie
wildwoodcrafts.ie

Wondering Wild Forest School
Ballynahinch, Co. Down
7784 677941
a.dixon86@hotmail.com

Stay In Touch

About Us

Who are the IFSA

irishforestschoolassociation

Meet and get to know our Forest School Community!🌿
.
It's Friday which means it is : ‘Forest School Friday’ and we are going to introduce you to another fabulous member of our community!
.
Our next forest school for you to meet is @seedscholars run by Eliya in Collinstown, Co. Westmeath.
🌿
Have a read at how she got involved in forest school and follow along each Friday to meet other forest schools in our community.
.
#forestschoolcommunity #irishforestschoolassociation #forestschoolfriday #forestschoolassociation #naturegamesforkids

Membership of the IFSA is open to everyone interes

Meet and get to know our Forest School Community!🌿
.
It's Friday which means it is : ‘Forest School Friday’ and we are going to introduce you to another fabulous member of our community!
.
Our next forest school for you to meet is @wildclan.ie run by Pouki in Co.Fermanagh- and sometimes in Cavan and Monaghan
🌿
Have a read at how she got involved in forest school and follow along each Friday to meet other forest schools in our community.
.
#forestschoolcommunity #irishforestschoolassociation #forestschoolfriday #forestschoolassociation #naturegamesforkids

Meet and get to know our Forest School Community!🌿
.
Each Friday IFSA will highlight the forest schools around the island of Ireland-‘Forest School Friday’.
.
Our forest school community work so hard throughout the year, so we would like to introduce them to you and show you what they get up to.
.
Our first forest school for you to meet is Young Roots run by Lisa in Co.Clare.
🌿
Have a read at how she got involved in forest school and follow along each Friday to meet other forest schools in our community.
.
#forestschoolcommunity #irishforestschoolassociation #forestschoolfriday #forestschoolassociation #naturegamesforkids

What a busy weekend for the Irish Forest School co

What a busy weekend for the Irish Forest School community 🍂
.
Each region hosted an autumnal gathering to celebrate our community and to showcase the forest schools around Ireland.
.
From mushroom forging and wool spinning to natural dyes and printing - we had so much fun.
.
It’s really important as a forest school community to connect in locally and support each other. This past weekend we did just that!
.
Our next event will be our spring webinars.
.
#forestschoolireland #forestschoolregions #ifsa #autumngathering

Did you know that there will be 8 forest school ga

Did you know that there will be 8 forest school gatherings all over the island of Ireland taking place next weekend ?!
🍂
The IFSA committee have been working hard to put all this together- an opportunity to showcase what forest school is all about and to support the different regions to connect and support each other.
.
You’re welcome to join any gathering that you like, and you don’t need to be an IFSA member.
.
All info is in the link in the bio.
.
We hope you can make a gathering and experience an afternoon of autumnal fun and creativity 🍂🌿
.
#forestschoolactivities #forestschoolgathering #irishforestschoolassociation #irishforestschools

Bookings are now open for the IFSA Regional Gather

Bookings are now open for the IFSA Regional Gatherings!

All members and non-members are welcome at these events (adults only).

The regions are:

Region 1 – Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo
Region 2 – Monaghan, Derry, Cavan, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone
Region 4 – Dublin
Region 5 – Kildare, Wicklow
Region 7 – Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford
Region 8 -Cork, Kerry
Region 9 – Limerick, Clare, Tipperary
Region 10 – Galway, Mayo, Roscommon

to book and learn more go to the link in our bio 🌿

#irishforestschoolassociation #ifsa #forestschoolsireland #networking

If you, or someone you know, is interested in beco

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming an accredited QQI Level 6 Forest School Leader there is a new training happening in a few weeks in Kildare!
.
All the information you need about the course and how to register is on the link in our bio.
.
9 on-site learning days:
Friday to Sunday 13th-15th of October
Friday to Sunday 10th-12th of November
Thursday to Saturday 15th-17th of February
5 webinars:
Tuesday 10th October 4.30-6.30
Tuesday 7th of November 4.30-6.30
Tuesday 5th December 4.30-6.30
Tuesday 13th of February 4.30-6.30
Tuesday 15th October 4.30-6.30
🍂
If you have any further questions you can contact: adulteducation@brigitsgarden.ie
.
#forestschoolleader #forestschooltraining #forestschoolirelandtraining #forestschoolireland #irishforestschoolassociation

🍂Save the Date for the upcoming IFSA regional g

🍂Save the Date for the upcoming IFSA regional gatherings!
🍂
Coming to an IFSA region near you at the end of October /early November.
🍂
Members can find out more from their regional co-ordinator - make sure to log in to the membership section and join your local Whats App regional group. These events will also be open to non-members, so watch this space - booking will open early in October.
Please DM us if you have any questions.
.
#forestschool #forestschoolgathering #forestschoolireland #

Would you like your children to experience Forest

Would you like your children to experience Forest School during class time?
🌿
Did you know that you can book forest school sessions through the Heritage in Schools scheme?
.
Check out their website, search for your county and book a forest school specialist to go to your local school!
🍃
It’s so great for children to experience forest school during their day at school- did you know that forest school covers elements of the primary school curriculum? 🌿
.
https://www.heritageinschools.ie
.
#forestschoolassociation #irishforestschoolassociation #forestschoolireland #heritageinschools #heritageinschoolsscheme

A look back at our weekend Gathering and AGM in We

A look back at our weekend Gathering and AGM in West Cork at the incredible venue of @cecas.ie .
.
A weekend of connecting, learning new skills and deepening our ever growing forest school community.
.
Talks are already underway for our autumn gathering and lots more ideas brewing.
.
💚🌿

Have a look at what we experienced at our Irish Fo

Have a look at what we experienced at our Irish Forest School Association’s 5th Annual AGM and Gathering.
.
There are no words to what happens when you gather 70 like minded Forest folk together for a weekend in nature 💚

Early bird booking price for the Annual Gathering

Early bird booking price for the Annual Gathering closes this Friday, so if you haven't already booked see the link on our bio to book! 🌿🌳

#forestschool #outdoorlearning #natureconnection

@irishrainforest @cecas.ie

Great to see lots of bookings coming in for our Ju

Great to see lots of bookings coming in for our June Gathering and AGM.
🌿
Are you wondering what we will be up to all weekend? Well here is our weekend outline of all the great activities we will be offering.
🍃
Also, this weekend is open to everyone- no need to be a forest school leader- but you’ll want to be a forest school leader afterwards 😊
.
We also encourage you to come solo- as you’ll meet so many lovely likeminded people there!🌳
.
We are really looking forward to welcoming you in Leap June 10/11.

Link in bio to book.
.
🍃
#forestschoolireland #forestschoolagm #irishforestschoolassociation

🌳BOOKINGS NOW OPEN FOR IFSA ANNUAL GATHERING🌳
.
We are delighted to welcome you to the 5th IFSA Annual Gathering and AGM in the beautiful setting of @cecas.ie Myross Wood in the West Cork town of Leap on Saturday and Sunday 10th and 11th June 2023.

Our theme this year is:
Rewilding our Forest Communities reflecting on how we can rewild ourselves, our practice and our green spaces
🌿
We are thrilled to have as our keynote speaker Eoghan Daltun, author of An Irish Atlantic Rainforest: A Personal Journey Into the Magic of Rewilding @irishrainforest

Eoghan's talk will help inspire us as we deepen our awareness of the powerfulness of how Forest School can help make our world a better place for all sentient beings.
🌿
At this year’s gathering:

- Keynote speaker Eoghan Daltun, author of “An Irish Atlantic Rainforest: A Personal Journey Into the Magic of Rewilding”
- 4 CPD workshops which will run twice concurrently (attendees select 2 of 4 options)
- Evening entertainment and community campfire
- IFSA AGM
- Panel discussion
- Skillshares

More Information and the booking form for the Annual Gathering workshops can be found at the link in the bio.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

@froe.ie @celticfoxherbal @cecas.ie

#irishforestschoolassociation #forestschoolireland #forestschoolagm #rewilding

We are delighted to get the chance to learn a bit

We are delighted to get the chance to learn a bit of blacksmithing skills with our final workshop.
🌿
Workshop: Copper Leaf Making
.
Rob will lead you through all the process's in order to smith your own copper leaf
You will be introduced to copper-smithing, fold forming, texturing and annealing.
This will be the be an ideal introduction to basic outdoor metalworking that you can share with you groups and you will go home with your own copper leaf creation.
🌳
Rob Ireson is a Sculptor and Facilitator who has a passion for creating spaces for connection.
He is a trained Forest School Leader, with certification in Eco-psychology from the Natural Academy.
He is a trained blacksmith and has created public art pieces across the island of Ireland and internationally and is often found facilitating workshops at festivals.
When he's not hammering bits of metal he is writing and performing stories that explore our relationship to the more than human world. He's a passionate field recordist and is often found climbing trees.
.
Bookings open tomorrow! 🌳
.
#forestschoolleader #forestschoolireland #copperleafing #blacksmithing #irishforestschoolassociation

Next up on our workshop line up is Luke Heron from

Next up on our workshop line up is Luke Heron from @celticfoxherbal 🍃
.
We are delighted that he will be joining us to share his passion for wild plants and all their incredible uses.
🍃
Workshop: Wildcrafting with local herbs with herbalist Luke Heron
🌳
Learn some fascinating facts about some of our wild plants, their uses and how to prepare them in this workshop. You will meet a few local wild herbs and learn about their qualities, you will get to sample, taste and discuss the various ways of extracting or cooking with them and learn why some ways are better than others. Learn the basics about wild foods, glycerides, oxymels, tinctures, ointments and go home with a cheat sheet for some basic recipes that can be used for personal use or in your forest school.
🍃

Luke Heron (Dip. Herb mIRH) is a Clinical Herbalist, foraging instructor and ethnobotanist based in Ireland. He is registered with the Irish Register of Herbalists, the largest Professional Association for Clinical Herbalists in Ireland and is a member of the Association of Foragers. Luke has gathered an eclectic blend of knowledge through his studies focussing on the relationship between local plant lore, the western herbal medicine tradition and the more modern medical herbalism. His botanical research is inspired by themes relating to Gaeilge, the ancient Brehon laws relating to the preservation of nature and is translating medical texts from early 20th Century French Herbalist Doctors. Aside from taking on patients and doing workshops, he formulates teas, makes creams, ointments, tinctures and spends much of his time in nature.
🍃
#forestschoolireland #forestschool #foragingireland #wildplants #irishforestschoolassociation

We are delighted to have Ross from @froe.ie facili

We are delighted to have Ross from @froe.ie facilitate a skills workshop at our gathering.
🍃
Workshop: Tool sharpening and carving techniques with Ross Wareham
.
Tool sharpening,safety and maintenance workshop. From knives to axes, drawknives to secateurs -learn effective ways to keep your sharps sharp and maintained.
.
Once your knives are hair popping sharp, we'll have a go at carving a 'Try Stick' a great way to learn different carving techniques. Bring your own tools along (don't worry I wont judge the state of them 🙂
🌳
Ross has been playing and teaching in the outdoors for many years. He is a lover of all things natural history and bushcraft. He is passionate about sharing his skills with adults and children. He has been working as a Forest School Leader for the last 3 years. His home base is in the beautiful woodland within Gormanstown College Demense, N Co Dublin.
.
#forestschool #forestschoolireland #forestschoolagm

🍃Workshop Announcement🍃 . As part of our ann

🍃Workshop Announcement🍃
.
As part of our annual gathering there will be a fantastic lineup of workshops to attend on the Saturday.
🌿
Workshop: Tracking Emotional Needs in relationship within a Forest School setting with Cathy Daly
.
We all have needs in our relationships. But how do we understand or explain what those needs are? Do they feel abstract or intangible? And what do these needs look like in Forest School Sessions? Sometimes these needs are hidden in plain sight just like the tracks of a fox wandering the woodland!
🌳
Cathy will introduce/name and briefly explore the emotional needs of children in relationships based on the Circle of Security Parenting programme (an evidence and attachment based programme). We will then explore in a group our experience of these needs.
🌿
Cathy Daly - M.I.P.T.A, Non-Directive Play Therapist, Facilitator of Nature Based Mindful Parent Child Groups
.
Cathy is a mum of three and Play Therapist who is passionate about supporting the parent child connection and nature connection. She is a facilitator of Circle of Security Parenting program, trained in Filial therapy, Nature Based Play Therapy, creative mindfulness practitioner and is a Forest School Leader. She developed and facilitates Nature Based Parent and Child Mindfulness workshops with an added focus on nature connection and parent child connection.
.
🐝
Bookings open next week!
.
#forestschoolagm #forestschoolireland #forestschoolworkshops #irishforestschoolassociation

🌳Keynote Speaker announcement 🌳 . We are loo

🌳Keynote Speaker announcement 🌳
.
We are looking forward to welcoming Eoghan Daltun to our Gathering and AGM at CECAS in June to meet our forest school community.
We will have a unique opportunity to hear his story and gain some inspiration for our own Forest School journeys.
.
Eoghan Daltun is a sculpture conservator, a High Nature Value farmer and, above all,
a rewilder. Originally from Dublin, since 2009 he has lived with his two sons, Liam
and Seánie, on their 73-acre farm near Eyeries on the Beara Peninsula, West Cork.
.
Bookings will open soon !
🌳
.
#forestschool #forestschoolireland #forestschoolagm #forestschoolgathering

Load More Follow on Instagram

Facebook Posts

Irish Forest School Association

4 days ago

Meet and get to know our Forest School Community!🌿.It's Friday which means it is : ‘Forest School Friday’ and we are going to introduce you to another fabulous member of our community!.Our next forest school for you to meet is Seed Scholars run by Eliya in Collinstown, Co. Westmeath.🌿Have a read at how she got involved in forest school and follow along each Friday to meet other forest schools in our community..#forestschoolcommunity #irishforestschoolassociation #forestschoolfriday #forestschoolassociation #naturegamesforkids ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

No feed found with the ID 1. Go to the All Feeds page and select an ID from an existing feed.

Resources

An Taisce Green Schools

Northern Ireland Forest School Association

CRANN Trees for Ireland

Native Woodland Trust

Field Studies Ireland

Heritage in Schools

IFSA thanks The Heritage Council for their continued support