An invitation to set your compass. Join us for a weekend of conversation and reflection on our roles, personally and professionally, regarding sustainability .
In association with the Burren College of Art we invite you to a beautiful, peaceful location on our family farm near Terryglass, Co Tipperary, Ireland for a deep dive into the Inner Development Goals framework as a means to achieving a more sustainable future.
Take time to pause and think with others and enjoy a break from the everyday while you are here. Transformation starts with one step.
Your weekend begins at 6pm on Friday June 16 with a gathering in our Haybarn Hub where we will begin by reflecting with curiosity on how the Inner Development Goals Framework could be a tool for us as we transition. On Saturday June 17th we will explore deeper, using tools and approaches based around Theory U and Presencing. Our intention is that collectively we will connect, consider our possibilities and identify next steps to be taken.
Booking details here at this link https://lnkd.in/e4tAsRts
Author: NiallH
Our Story
The Fuchsia Lane Farm Story
Stories can be personal, public, private or shared. Stories can be about beginnings, middles or endings. They can be linear, circular, predictable or unpredictable. Our story is about family and place. The land and space that we call home has been in the family since the late 1800s. Our Granary and Stables cottages are from that era and can be seen on the First Edition OS maps of 1840, just before the Great Famine. We are conscious that we became the custodians at that time and the land welcomed us. The land itself holds evidence of life from times long before that. Perhaps the land doesn’t think too much about who the custodians are. However, what happens to the land does matter. Fuchsia Lane Farm is part of the landscape, and provides the vista that we all wake to here each morning. Our farm has been the constant over the years, and if previous generations of Heenans could walk this land again, they would recognise fields, trees, hedgerows, streams and soil, that are all part of our story, and show evidence of many generations of life and love in this place. The same land, where in the early 1900s, our ancestor Mary Heenan, found a Bronze Age artefact, which was donated to the National Museum of Ireland.
Our place in time
Our landscape here on Fuchsia Lane farm can be traced back to over 25 million years ago when the land was covered by a shallow, warm ocean that teemed with life. Over millennia this changed to the resultant limestone ground which is now a fertile source of life containing fossilised evidence of this temperate ocean.
Ten thousand years ago the retreating glaciers at the end of the last ice age deposited boulders, shaped fields and soil types that we can still see today. Then Man started to make an impact and in time, Celtic tribes made their mark as they farmed the land in common with protective ring forts for their valuable cattle and harvests. New arrivals and new traditions from other countries arrived and field enclosures were created as an Anglo Saxon model became the norm. The landscape changed but the fundamentals were the same. Those who cared for the land were sustained. We have maintained this connection in continuing to use the old field names and also in the names of our cottages. Some of the field names include: the Ring Fort field, Starrs’ Garden, Sugar Garden, Hacketts’ field, Cows field, Callow, Lawn field, Hurling Field, Blackstick Field, Hollow field, Long Road, McLoughney’s, Round field. Our self catering cottages, which are available as holiday rentals, are the Granary, Lime Kiln, Stables and Lodge.
When we stand in our place, we are conscious of the previous generations who have cared for this piece of the earth, and when we stop for longer, we are conscious of those who will care when we are gone.
Today the landscape and earth are changing at a more rapid pace, and we need to consider the next chapter of the story. How will future generations document what we did in order to sustain and be sustained by this same land? This is now the story to be considered and explored. Our planet is now at a juncture. We look to the needs of the next generation and how best to begin this chapter.
Our new group space An Scioból – The Haybarn Hub
An Scioból – The Haybarn Hub
For several years we have been hatching an idea that we could create a space where guests could gather in a shared space for social and business purposes. In recent years we have also held workshops for entrepreneurs, thinkers and creatives and we are now proud to announce that An Scioból – The Haybarn Hub, is complete and offers a fantastic space for group workshops, away days, festive gatherings etc. Together with our cottages, it allows us to build on our Rural Retreat philosophy that has been central to our business since its inception. Situated close to the cottages, we can offer a unique and special place or venue for away days, think-ins or simply space for larger groups to chill and relax.
We have repurposed an old hay barn space and, thanks to local builders and craftspeople, we have turned it into a really cosy spot with hi-speed wifi, large screen Smart TV, flexible seating and tables and facilities for refreshments. Guests can also access the sauna, use our bikes, enjoy our walks and immerse themselves in a rural space designed to encourage team building, creative thinking, brainstorming, replenishment and self development.
As a professional trainer and coach, Niall Heenan Training can design bespoke training and coaching interventions designed for staff teams who wish to reconnect, engage and optimise performance. Other trainers and coaches who may wish to use our facilities for their own events are also welcome.
We love our place and we hope you do too!
30 Years of Hospitality
Niall & Inez Heenan celebrating 30 Years in Tourism and Hospitality; 1992–2022
When we opened our new home to guests at Eastertime 1992, we did so full of the excitement of creating our own hospitality business offering guests the type of experience that we would like to receive ourselves. With Tir na Fiuise Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast we set out to offer an opportunity to enjoy a ‘Real Rural Retreat’ where we provided the best of our own and local produce. We became renowned for our extensive breakfast menu and after a couple of seasons we began to feature in various guidebooks such as Karen Brown’s Guides to Ireland and John and Sally McKennas 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland, and won awards such as ‘Ireland’s Best Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast in Munster. 
Fuchsia Lane Farm Holiday Cottages, Terryglass, Co.Tipperary
In 1998 we changed our offering to providing self catering accommodation and that has grown to our current business Fuchsia Lane Farm Holiday Cottages. Our core vision of offering a ‘Real Rural Retreat’ is still at the heart of what we do, and when guests are here we encourage them to enjoy the unique aspects that can be found here.
Self-Catering Flexibility
Over the years, our guests have enjoyed how our product has developed, and has found a wonderful niche in this beautiful part of rural Co. Tipperary in the centre of Ireland. Returning guests have enjoyed extended family celebrations, as we can cater for up to 20 guests with our 4 cottages; a ‘workation’ combining our accommodation with an idyllic workspace with internet access; a family holiday; a couple’s getaway; an action-packed exercise break with yoga!
‘Live like a local’ at Fuchsia Lane Farm
We have farm walks, a sauna, bikes to cycle on the country lanes, produce from our garden and the opportunity to ‘live like a local’ where you will meet our welcoming family and a friendly, local community in Terryglass village, local towns of Portumna, Borrisokane, Nenagh and Birr. You can swim, fish and kayak at Lough derg, hike in the Slieve Bloom and Silvermine Mountains; golf locally at Portumna, Nenagh, Roscrea and Birr.
Sustainable Rural Tourism
Connecting with this local community is an important element in any sustainable rural tourism enterprise and with this in mind we always encourage our guests to avail of the services and amenities that exist locally and beyond. Local pubs, restaurants, food businesses, attractions and amenities are all central to the visitor experience, where we can all enjoy. Our work in this area was acknowledged in our receiving a Gold Medal award in the Irish Responsible Travel Awards in 2016.
So as we continue and evolve along why not Come, stay and celebrate with us in 2022! Niall & Inez
Revive & Thrive on Workation at Fuchsia Lane Farm
Technology now allows us to work from anywhere! Join the large number of guests who are choosing Fuchsia Lane Farm to work and holiday.
Our woodland Zen Zone is an ideal place to begin, or end, your day. Enjoy our bikes to cycle to the village or join us on our regular morning swims in Lough Derg. Our Sauna leaves you feeling invigorated and ready to embrace the day’s work.
We have learned some things that help our ‘workationers’ to have that ideal mix of work and play! 
- Put a structure in place for work, relaxation and fun.
- Focus on work for a period in the morning and then put away the laptop when completed.
- If you have a second device such as a tablet or iPad, use that for your entertainment and personal needs and leave the work laptop for work.
- Before you start work, take some time for exercise, yoga or focused breathwork etc.
A good workspace helps to focus, and with our quiet areas and peaceful fields you can revive and thrive. We can supply you with a good chair for longer periods at your desk. Very good WiFi to allow you to make those Zoom calls is a must, and we have all you need in that regard.
So if you would like a ‘Workation’ – a creative space to work on that novel or business plan, either on your own, with a partner or family, who can enjoy their holiday too, Fuchsia Lane farm is the place for you. The local village has great gastropubs, coffee, music and yoga classes if you wish to ‘live like a local’. If you are thinking of travelling from overseas then you can still keep an eye on the bottom line while you have your rural vacation in our ‘Real Rural Retreat’. Your chance to Revive and Thrive in 2022!
#discoverloughderg #visitipp #irelandshiddenheartlands #workandholiday #digitalnomad
Award for Birr Castle
30 mins drive from Fuchsia Lane Farm!
As you all know we are big fans of Birr Castle and Demesne here at Fuchsia Lane Farm Self Catering. We were delighted to read the good news that it was recently awarded as one of the Best Visitor Attractions in the country in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards 2022. Being placed 4th in a list of amazing places to visit is a great achievement and well done to everyone involved.
Birr Castle is just 30 mins drive from our cottages and is the perfect location for a great family day with walks, nature, science and acres of space awaiting you. The town of Birr has great coffe shops and eateries and you will be spoiled for choice. So put it on your list of one of your things to do here!
During 2022 there are a range of family activities and events planned, including over St Patrick’s Weekend March 17 – 20, the famous Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday and Monday April 17 and 18
Booking for the Castle grounds can be made online at https://birrcastle.com/buy-tickets/
This short video will give you a flavour of what you can experience there
Beautiful Lough Derg on the Shannon
We recently came across this video showing some of the beauty of Lough Derg and the surrounding villages, including Terryglass. It features Cedric Charpentier who is a fishing guide and an expert on finding great pike fishing spots! We hope you enjoy it and even if you never fish on the lake, it will make you want to get out on a boat there
Tipperary – Best Holiday Destination 2022
Visitors to Ireland should spend more time in Co Tipperary, according to the prestigious travel publication Condé Nast Traveller. In its recent list of 22 destinations to visit in 2022, Tipperary is a stand out entry for anyone with an interests in food, a passion for the outdoors and sustainable community tourism.
Here at Fuchsia Lane Farm we particularly loved the reference in the guide to “Walk it all off along the blustery shoreline of Lough Derg, where you’ll be joined by kayakers, paddleboarders and cyclists whizzing alongside acres of cheerful wildflower meadows”
So why not get ahead of the curve and make your plans for 2022 to visit Tipperary and meet local people, artisan food producers and experience the outdoors ranging from mountain walks and trekking to lakeside activities such as paddle boarding and sailing.
If you wish to read the full article you will find it here
#CondeNastTraveller #Tipperary #LoughDerg #FoodieHolidays
Things to do in Irelands Hidden Heartlands
This publication gives a great overview of some of the things to do in this wonderful area! Click on this link to open the brochure
Looking forward to a brighter future!
As vaccinations roll out across the country and among the countries where all our lovely guests come from, we look forward to the day when, once more, there will be the wonderful sounds of laughter and the activity of guests around the place. Our walks, woodland meditation zone and open spaces all await you and we will have your cottage all cosy and snug for your restful stay. So keep Fuchsia Lane Farm in your hearts and we will all meet again soon!
As a little teaser of some of the beautiful sounds and calming environment to be found on our farm or down at the quayside in Terryglass, we are sharing this little clip!