Our Lecturers

Alan McCluney

Alan McCluney has established Leitrim Pottery 3 years ago, he is also a keen gardener.

Alanna Moore

Alanna Moore, is Australia's foremost teacher of geomancy. She is the author of five books, a permaculture teacher and film maker.

Alison Fitzgerald

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Alison Fitzgerald has over 20 years of experience as a basketmaker and teacher, and has a particular interest in frame baskets

Angelika Otthofer-Dunne

Angelika Otthofer-Dunne is an artist and teacher and has been running Silk Painting workshops for many years.

Barbara McInerney

Barbara McInerney is a wildlife enthusiast and works as an education officer with the NPWS.

Bee Smith

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Bee Smith is a writer, organic gardener and enthusiastic cook who roams the townlands surrounding her acre small holding in Dowra.

Bob Wilson

Bob Wilson, is an ecological consultant, and has worked professionally for many years with stone.

Brigitta Varadi

Lecturer on the following courses: 

Brigitta Varadi, a native of Hungary, has extensive experience in felt making and produces her own wares from her studio in Manorhamilton.

Caroline Walshe

Caroline Walshe, a trained sculptor, specialises in using natural materials such as wood and wool.

Chris Smith

Chris Smith has been growing organic vegetables and herbs in Westport for 20 years.

Ciara Barrett

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Ciara Barrett is a schools and community gardener for the past four years and has developed nature trails at the centre.

Craig Sands

Craig Sands is a past student of the The Organic Centre, works as a gardener for the Community Food Project and has compiled the How-to guide.

Dennis Hawke

Dennis Hawke is the kitchen gardener in Rathmullan House Hotel in Donegal and is also an organic salad producer.

Diane Roemer

Diane Roemer is a teacher and artist and runs a painting school in Tawley, Co. Leitrim

Dick Roberts

Dick Roberts is a maintenance worker at the centre and gardens at home.

Fiona Crowe

Fiona Crowe from Highdell Organic Farm has 10 years professional experience of producing organic eggs and pullets.

Gerard Greene

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Gerard Greene has a background in ecology and fine art and worked at the Raadvad centre in Denmark, training in paint-making, restoration and eco-building.

Graham Strouts

Graham Strouts is a permaculture teacher.

Hans Wieland

Hans Wieland works and teaches at the centre since 2000.

Ingrid Foley

Ingrid Foley is a market gardener, runs a box scheme and works with the Community Food Project.

Jill Scott

Jill Scott is an award winning gardener, who looks after the flower beds at the centre.

Jim Cronin

Jim Cronin has been growing herbs and vegetables in Clare for over 20 years.

Jörg Müller

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Jörg Müller is a medical herbalist and award winning tea blender living and working in Galway.

Julia Lehmann

Julia Lehmann is the head gardener at the centre since 2006.

Liz Longworth

Liz Longworth has grown and used herbs for many years and currently studies to become a Primary School teacher.

Lynn Kirkham

Lynn Kirkham is an experienced teacher and runs her own business Greenmantle in Tipperary with Paul Finch.

Mary Luthers

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Mary Luthers from Bluebell Farm in Dromahair has 27 years experience of organic farming and produces eggs and untreated wool from her own flock.

Mike Harris

Mike Harris is a cook at The Grass Roof Café and previously ran the award winning Heather’s restaurant in London. He has been composting his families humanure for the past 6 years.

Miriam Crowley

Miriam Crowley is the local wildlife ranger in Co. Sligo

Ollan Herr

Lecturer on the following courses: 

Ollan Herr is a reedbed and wetland system consultant from Dundalk.

Patricia Gardiner

Patricia Gardiner has a Masters in City Planning, worked on the development of wind energy projects, and now leads training to develop urban walking projects.

Paul Finch

Paul Finch is an experienced teacher and runs his own business Greenmantle in Tipperary with Lynn Kirkham

Pauline Stewart

Pauline Stewart has a degree in fine art and has been teaching soapmaking for the last 8 years.

Peter Cowman

Peter Cowman is the director of the Living Architecture Centre in Leitrim.

Peter Schneider

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Peter Schneider is a consultant engineer for alternative energy and organic farmer.

Phil Wheal

Phil Wheal is a lecturer on our full-time course and our fruit expert.

Prannie Rhatigan

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Prannie Rhatigan is an experienced GP who works mainly in public health. A native of the West Coast, she gardens organically and has been familiar with seaweeds since childhood.

Richard O’Gorman

Richard O’Gorman is an experienced landscape gardener and has been one of our dry stone building lecturers for many years.

Rob Doyle

Rob Doyle is an alternative energy enthusiast. He lives in a cottage in North Leitrim powered by a small hydro system.

Steven Meyen

Steven Meyen is a forestry development officer with Teagasc in Donegal.

Sue Anthony

Sue Anthony is a beekeeper living in Ballymote, she also supplies equipment.

Suzie Cahn

Suzie Cahn has been growing organic vegetables, fruit, and herbs in her garden, at Gaelscoil Cill Mhantain, and now at Carraig Dulra.

Tina Pommer

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Tina Pommer a native of Germany, living in Leitrim for the past 12 years, continues her family tradition of collecting mushrooms and wild fruit.

Tony Cuckson

Tony Cuckson looks after the wages, tells stories and gardens at home.

Tracey Yappa

Lecturer on the following courses: 
Tracey Yappa’s interest in growing mushrooms started 20 years ago and in the last 3 years she has specifically studied the cultivation methods of various edible species.

Trudy Lomax

Trudy Lomax is a native of County Sligo, chairwoman of the Mullaghmore Environment Group and runs a boatyard and boat charter with her husband.

Wendy Nairn

Wendy Nairn has produced organic vegetables from her garden for markets and restaurants for more than twenty years and now grows for family and friends.