Terranu
a regenerative farming, land stewardship and wild learning adventure
Ireland’s third largest river, the Blackwater, rises in the mountains east of Killarney and flows into the Celtic sea at Youghal. At Lismore Castle it is joined by the Owenashad creek. Following the stream upwards along her course is a country road, winding gently up the mountain side. Along the road the trees are majestic, the light filtering through the leafy forest, and if you look carefully you would see Ireland’s largest Giant Sequoia. The landscape changes, trees giving way to rhododendrons, heather and bracken. Where the road is enveloped by large bushes, a wooden gate gives access to the view of a white cottage standing in the shade of a giant oak tree. When we stumbled upon this place in May 2022 we felt instantly that this is where we are called to become stewards of trees, soil and water. A place where we can find belonging and share it with others.
The Dream
In the future the land will house a forest learning community allowing a group of curious children to learn about all of the wonders of the natural world and how we can restore and steward the earth. People will come from near and far for retreats and workshops, learning together how to heal our relationship with nature, self and others. Engaging with the land they will have an opportunity to experience hands-on regeneration. Local farm to table meals are served from the vegetable and forest garden, and a long table is set under the branches of the great oak. The 5 hectares of monoculture sitka spruce will be transformed into a native woodland harbouring the sacred celtic trees. Among the hazels the bluebells bloom, wild blueberries and raspberries carefully present themselves. In the pasture land, chickens and sheep regenerate the soil while grazing along fruit and nut trees, all contributing to helping regenerate this special piece of land to thrive for all forms of life. A winding path gives a view down the valley before it descends to a platform by the riverside, a place to find stillness for meditation and contemplation, as well as connection through music, ceremony and dialogue.
Our Team
We are a family with 3 children about forest – and wild schooling and learning, land restoration and reconnecting to nature, as well as regenerative agriculture, local food production, and stewarding land in a way that supports future
generations.
Terranu was founded with Sarah Box & Merijn de Jong, who played a crucial role in the first 2 years before moving on to new endeavours in November 2024.
Nakyta Grimm
Cook, gardener and apprentice in The Work that Reconnects. Passionate about creating spaces that foster connection to the earth. She loves to prepare food that inspires reciprocity and healing.
Pieter Ploeg
Process facilitator, tiny house builder and systems thinker. Has a passion for building soil, creating resilient and healthy agriculture systems and is enthusiastic to create an example of a regenerative farm that will catalyse system change.
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Terranu is based along Owenashad river: Crooked Bridge, Glenaknockaun West, Lismore, Ireland