Laois PPN welcomed member groups to the majestic grounds of Roundwood House in the Slieve Bloom Mountains recently for a ‘Fall Foraging’ event.
Foraging for food is an age-old practice of gathering wild food which is consumed for both its nutritional and medicinal value.
Foraged food is tasty, natural and an enjoyable experience as it brings you into nature.
Held on the eve of the Autumn Equinox, the family friendly event took place as part of Laois PPN’s Climate Action Project 2024.
Fall Foraging was led by Mary Bulfin, aka ‘Wild Food Mary’, who shared her wealth of knowledge with the groups.
Mary spoke about her two favourite plants – herb robert and nettles – and their various health benefits.
Herb Robert was traditionally used as an antiseptic, as well as to treat stomach upset and nosebleeds; while nettles are considered a superfood, containing iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A and B.
With crunching leaves underfoot, and an array of great oak trees, the foraging was awash with the changing autumnal colours.
Mary informed the group that oak tree are home to 284 different types of species and 324 lichens (fungi/algae).
Laois PPN Members learnt about the many trees, plants, fungi, nuts, berries, as Mary explained what is edible, their nutritional qualities and medicinal properties, how to preserve them for use throughout the year.
Attendees were treated to light refreshments afterwards in the exquisite Frank’s Library by a cosy fire.
Speaking after the event, Dan Bergin, Laois PPN Co-Ordinator thanked Wild Food Mary for sharing her knowledge, and thanked the member groups for attending.
“The Autumn months are idyllic for foraging with the woodland abundant with wild food to harvest,” he said.
“(Our) members were delighted to learn from one of the leading foraging experts in Ireland on how to identify plants, their health benefits and how to preserve them to enjoy later in the year.”
Laois PPN consists of 650+ Member Groups from the Community, Social Inclusion and Environmental Pillars.
All groups registered with Laois PPN are given the opportunity to attend Laois PPN events. Any group wishing to join Laois PPN can do so by completing the application on the Laois PPN website.
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