Bog hopping on Causey Farm

As a farmer’s daughter the idea of going to a farm for a party, holiday or day out is slightly strange to me. I understand how the idea could be fun for city folk - but for me, it's a bit like returning home!

But never one to say no to a trip, I packed my wellies and headed off for a friend’s hen party to Causey Farm in Co Meath, Ireland.

This is no ordinary farm, it is a fun filled, educational and entertaining experience that really do cater for everyone’s tastes, young and old. I was surprised to see we didn’t have the farm to ourselves, there were school tours, youth groups, international students and other hens running around the place enjoying the facility.

The farm is family owned by the Murtaghs who find time to run a fully functional  300 acre farm in between all the bog hopping.

Bog hopping at Causey Farm, Co Meath

Bog what? Bog hopping! The bog has many nicknames such as 'child slave labour camp' amongst those who had to help “win the turf” as children - so to see the fun side of the bog was really amusing. Bascially wet bog is a little like quick sand, if you get stuck in it it is impossible to get out - but you can also fling bits of bog and push your dear friends face down in it! Bog is also good for your skin. It was so much fun to get out and experience the bog in this new way.

My beautiful brown soda bread ready for the oven

We also got to roll up our sleeves and make brown soda bread - which was delicious with some jam. We par took in some ceili dancing, cow milking and to top it off our own clucking hen jumped on top of a large pig - which had never been achieve before!

Usually a hen party is all about the glamour, so it was great fun to let our hair down and forget about our looks - and some of us finally got to see the fun side of the farm away from the stress of daily activites at home.

The 'hen' milking a Causey Cow

After having a look around the websites, Causey farm hoosts Pooka Spooka for Halloween and The Causey Christmas Experience which even Santa Claus takes the time to visit!

Would I return?

Yes. I really want to go back to try A Victwardian Escapade at Clonard House. I love Downton Abbey and this experience allows you to dress up as the downstair servants and the lords and ladies upstairs! Get me there now! http://www.victorianescapade.com/

www.causey.ie

Ancient Secrets and mysteries remain at Newgrange

500 years older than the pyramids of Giza and erected over a millennium before Stonehenge, 

Newgrange in The Boyne Valley, Co Meath is as monumental, mysterious and magnificent as you will find.

Entrance to Newgrange passage (c) fifiheavey

Nestled amongst the best green pastures and rolling hills of Ireland, Newgrange lay hidden for four centuries. And even now, excavated, unearthed and world recognised it still holds ancient secrets, the biggest one being it's exact purpose.

It is referred to as a passage tomb, but really an Ancient Temple would suit it more. Remains of dead bodies were found inside, but we still do not know if this was in fact a burial chamber. All over the country we have burial chambers of different sizes and patterns, but Newgrange is different. It is bigger, it was better built, it took decades of hard work and it has a special relationship with the sun and the Winter Solstice.

Celtic mythology named Newgrange as the home of the greatest of the Celtic Gods.

Without any definite knowledge or facts, I feel Newgrange was a place of worship, a location chosen for its astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance. It is sacred.

Newgrange ancient burial site (c) fifiheavey

Embarrassingly, I took my first visit to Newgrange a few weeks ago. I took the trip alone, and am glad I did, as it gave me time and silence to reflect upon this structure of epic proportions. From the impressive Brú na Bóinne visitor centre I took the tour bus to the ancient site. (Which I had passed before when a friend and I got lost going to Slane!)

Roof Box where the sun enters the tomb
(c) fifiheavey

The group was split in two, as the passage is small inside. The time
out gave me the space to take a good look around the circular mound, and grasp the stunning views from the site. The entrance (reconstructed with stone from the site) is spectacular with a 12” triple spiral engraving stone marking the opening.

Of course the most special aspect of Newgrange is the illumination of the passage and centre by the sun on Winter Solstice, December 21. I put my name down for the lottery, to be able to see the Winter Solstice and I invite you all to do the same here.

To the farmers of the New Stone Age, this was an important day, it was their New Year, it marked the end of a most probable bitter Winter and the prospect of brighter days ahead.

Newgrange has been accessible since 1699, when a landowner discovered it when searching for stones, some marked their visit with graffiti which is sad, but to see people dating their visit in the 1700 and 1800s is still pretty special.

I cannot recommend a visit enough, to tourists, to historians, to those with a day spare, or even a few hours.

There is a reason Ireland is renowned for its spiritual beauty, for its ancient wisdom and

mysterious charm – feel it, touch it and see it at Newgrange.

Constructed in 3,200 BC: Newgrange (c) fifiheavey