Northern Wood Monkey

13/09/2026

Nasturtium now taken over as a cover crop where the broad beans were, in amongst the young fruit trees.

Late flowering so full of bees, even on a grey day like this.

Caterpillars of the Large white butterfly love it too, almost in preference to the brasicas so keeps the latter free of them, with the occasional helping hand.

It will collapse at the first frost but the seeds will ensure plenty more next year, plus they can be pickled like capers, delicious!

22/06/2026

What's in a log?

This lush sycamore log keeps on giving. It's been mellowing in the barn for a little while and the wood will be giving those gorgeous coffee and cream colours once turned and oiled.

Aiming for some good sized fruit/salad bowls from it as well as a couple of plates. All ready for markets and fairs this summer.

Do you like planning what to get out of a piece of wood too?

27/04/2026

This will be a great weekend
Shane has been working horses for years and you will have the opportunity for some hands on time horse logging.
Not to be missed
22nd -24th May in Donegal

Come to Donegal and learn the way of the working horse in a hands on experiential weekend of working camping and fireside feasts!

23/04/2026

Northern Bowl 2026 is underway.
A gentle first evening meeting old friends and new in joyous surroundings.

11/04/2026

I love the simple pleasure of doing practical things, more so as I get older and the importance of other stuff falls away.

A knife is something I use every day but I have always bought them, though had a secret desire to make one myself "one day"

Well, "one day", when it was too wet to work on the land I set to it, bashing and grinding and endless thinking through each little step until it was done.

Plenty of room for improvement, which is always a good thing as it will spur me on to more, but there is immense satisfaction in this simple tool that will last me out.

15/03/2026

Come and try your hand at the traditional craft of spoon carving.

You will use locally sourced wood and hand tools to create your own wooden spoon in a friendly atmosphere.

Suitable for beginners and refreshments and lunch are provided

20/02/2026

Really looking forward to being a part of this special weekend of fantastic heritage crafts .ie from the 14th to 16th March.

It will be my first trip to County Cork since moving to Ireland and to get to teach spoon carving in a beautiful setting with a host of other top crafters sharing their skills too will be a real treat.

Head to the cecas.ie website to book soon as this will be a popular event

14/02/2026

Back to the Donegal office yesterday to finish off in the couple, cutting hazel stools back as low as possible, cutting stakes and binders for hedge laying in a couple of weeks and keeping the odds and sods cosy in their tent to be charcoaled later in the year.

I can't think of a better way to spend a day, with my best mate, working in the woods in a stunning location.

07/02/2026

Tá sé briomhar í nGallimh anocht

07/02/2026

Treat yourself to learning a new skill and book a place on the Spoon Carving Workshop on 21st February and 28th March. Kilmovee, Mayo.

€90 for the day, lunch and refreshments included, suitable for beginners.

Visit www.northernwoodmonkey.com for more details