Foraging in the Foothills - Mountain Ways Ireland

About

Foraging in the Foothills 

I am a wild food enthusiast and folklorist and have been for all of my life. Tapping into a lifetime love for the outdoors, centuries old tacit knowledge handed down through my family and years of my own research and experimentation, I will guide you on a foraging journey that reveals the hidden potential in even the most familiar of wild plants, those plants that surround you, the ones you walk past every day whether you live in the countryside, town or city. Click here to find out more about the next upcoming event: Fungi, Roots and Berries at Ring of Gullion Autumn Fest

My Seventh Generation Farm - Its even more special for me when I can deliver this experience on my own ancestral farm. We have been here in this Slieve Gullion Mountain townland for at least seven generations and certainly as far back as records show.

Join me to explore the fields and ditches of the townland area as I introduce you to the wonderful world of wild edibles and simple but powerful folk medicinals. Depending on the season… fresh spring shoots, flowers, seeds, fungi, berries, fruit.

Taste the Hedgerow as we Walk It’s important to bring the wild foods to life by not just talking about them, but by tasting them. I carry a few nibbles and maybe drinks of lovingly prepared treats to share throughout the walk, small tastes on the palate to light your imagination as to whats possible.  This is not a lunch but these are tasty morcels that just can’t be bought in the shops.

Where possible I try to match these with the seasonal wild foods we are exploring. We are 5* approved by the food standards agency and although we will try our best, it is not always possible to cater for every dietary requirement. You should let us know in advance of any food allergies or intolerences.

How will the day look, What’s included ?

The entire experience should last around 3 hours

We’ll meet in my farmyard for a 10.30 start – there is a good sized carpark but please car pool where possible.

I will take you through my garden a short distance to visit a 200 year old half -door stone cottage.

At the cottage I’ll give a brief introduction to the art of foraging – ethics, law, safety, sustainability etc.

We begin our approximate 2 hour foraging walk of field and hedgerow

The plants, fungi , berries that we may meet and discuss are seasonally dependant, each season has its blessings

We’ll be eating some tasty wild foraged treats that I have prepared -small nibbles ‘on the hoof’ as we walk

Return to the stone cottage for a brief look at processing and preservation techniques

We’re finished up at about 13.30

What do I need to bring?

Good strong footwear, wellies if you want ( the grass may be long and wet in places so please dress accordingly)

Waterproofs – a good raincoat or umbrella

Warm clothing – we won’t be walking very fast or far and obviously we will be stopping at several points to meet the plants

A bottle of water

A camera, notebook, field guide (plants), small basket/cloth bag will all enchance your day

What will I learn ?

A new appreciation of the shear wealth of wild food that surrounds us

If you have never foraged before then it really is like taking a blindfold off and seeing for the very first time

How to gather seasonally and sustainably for both food and medicine

Follklore and traditional uses

Basic wild food peparation processing techniques

This is the beginning of a journey, opening a door to a lifetime of learning and wonder

How to engage and use all of your senses to identify wild foods- touch, taste, smell, sight & listening

Edible identification and poisonous lookalikes 

After the walk it was great to see the results of Brian’s foraging and really enjoyed the infused water and homemade gorse honey and dandelion jelly.

Would highly recommend to anyone that wants to get back in touch with nature”.

Shenda, TripAdvisor

Additional Information :

This is approximately a 3 hour experience.

Just over 2 km walking at a very gentle pace with plenty of stops along the way.

The walk is easily accessible for most levels of fitness, ages and ability however it is not suitable for people with limited levels of mobility – please contact us if you have any questions at all around this.

The tour is mostly through rough pasture and country lane with a short section on quiet coutry road.

Please note the grass in places may be long and wet underfoot so wear appropriate footwear with a good deep tread and something that will keep your feet dry.

This is for the most part an outdoors experience so please dress accordingly for the Irish weather. Raincoat, Umbrella, Warm Clothing, Sun cream.

Each guest is asked to sign a simple consent and medical declaration form and also inform us in advance of any allergies or medical conditions which we should be aware of..

Apologies but no dogs allowed with the exception of guide dogs.

We are 5* approved with the Food Srtandards Agency NI

While you are welcome to carry a small bag or basket to collect a few plants, any quantities foraged will only be for later identification purposes. There is an abundance of growth with some plants while others are not so plentiful and as we lead regular walks in this area, this is the most sustainable way.

Sorry No Refunds.

Grade Easy

Distance 3 - 4 km

Terrain Rough grassy pasture, uneven ground

Duration 3 Hours

Dates Early Spring - Late Autumn

Testimonials  

“Brian has a very easy and engaging manner and a very engaging way of sharing his extensive plant knowledge and lore. I loved sampling their wild food and especially enjoyed trying the kimichi for the first time. It’s to die for! I would highly recommend this experience. Thank you both for a lovely relaxing afternoon”. Rosie, TripAdvisor

"The day was both interesting and entertaining, I would really recommend the event to anyone that wants to find out what is on our doorstep or just to reconnect with nature. Any amount of information can be found in books or online, but seeing, smelling, touching and tasting the plants is definitely a unique experience. Thank you Lorraine & Brian, I look forward to meeting on another walk”. Michelle M , TripAdvisor

“Had a wonderful time on the foraging course. Brian was a great guide who is truly passionate about foraging and what nature provides. It was very relaxing to slow down and stop and have all the natural resources around us pointed out, balanced with those that can be dangerous. I will definitely be trying some of the tea recommendations."