More equitable alternative

(Extract from Sharon Ní Chonchúir‘s article We ditched our desk jobs to spend more time in nature — here’s why in the Irish Examiner 6 September. Tom Butler of Ballin Temple, Nurney, Co Carlow: ‘I’ve paid a financial price, but I’m a nature guy.’ Picture: Michael O’Rourke Tom Butler from Ballin Temple in Carlow describes …
Continue reading More equitable alternative

Celebrating 25 Years of Positive Change

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” Peter Drucker’s comment captures the need for system change that defines Astraea. When we stepped out of our old lives and into the unknown in 1999, we had a clear goal: To find balance between people, …
Continue reading Celebrating 25 Years of Positive Change

Mary Robinson, Nature and Dandelions

“We are in a crisis!” Mary Robinson’s keynote message was the right way to open her Climate Conference – which she promptly re-named the “Climate and Nature Conference – don’t you agree?” The whole audience agreed enthusiastically. Tom turned to me. “Mary Robinson CAN!” he smiled. A fitting acronym for “climate and nature”! Shortly after, …
Continue reading Mary Robinson, Nature and Dandelions

Grow Your Own

The World in a Carrot

There was a time when I was strongly resistant to the dirt, bother, inconvenience of the organic vegetable. As my taste buds adjusted though, I began to feel let down by the shops’ offerings.

Big Picture Thinking and Wellness

Deirdre Lane, CEO of Shamrock Spring and Ambassador of The Circular Economy Institute, chats with Tom at the inaugural Lisnavagh Wellness Festival. Astraea supported the inaugural Wellness Festival at Lisnavagh. Pam offered a yoga practice session to a packed Garden Wing – there must have been nearly 50 people in there with more looking in …
Continue reading Big Picture Thinking and Wellness

10 years of Yoga and Sleep at Lisnavagh

Please enjoy this personal, spontaneous conversation with Emily Bunbury who shares experiences and insights about family, engaging with the public and bringing strangers in to your home on the 10th anniversary of the Lisnavagh’s Yoga and Sleep retreat which she started with Pam Butler and Rosebud McClintock-Bunbury.

Sharing Passion at Thrive Cafe

Corona, System Change and You

Reality Bites: Corona, Capitalism, Life and Death