Hands-on Straw Bale Building Courses on Live Eco Build @ Rock Farm Slane

The straw bale building and natural plastering course will take place on a live building project The Limehouse Eco Guesthouse here at Rock Farm Slane, an organic farm set in the parklands of Slane Castle overlooking the banks of the River Boyne. The hands-on 2 day workshop will focus on providing participants with the knowledge and skills to build their own straw bale homes, offices and small-scale commercial developments.

Theory of the complementary materials including clay plasters and lime renders will also be covered as part of the workshop.

Rock Farm Slane is an inspiring and pioneering natural building development project and eco tourism destination. Join us in the evolving the development on site.

Course Tutor Chris Hawker has been working with Strawbuild.org for the last 4 years with a background in sustainability and environmental construction research. 

Chris has worked with natural materials in Spain, Germany the UK and Ireland and was an integral part of the exisiting 3 strawbale buildings here at Rock Farm Slane - The Farm Office, The Swallow's Nest and Electrical Plant Room.

As a technical tutor Chris teaches at CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology), South Devon College as well as giving strawbale demonstrations at various fairs, exhibtions including Grand Designs, Ecobuild and the GreenCrafts area at Electric Picnic.

Chris is known is know for his delightful ability to teach and inspire various levels from complete beginners to built environment professionals. 

Course Information:

Strawbale Building Course: Super-insulating strawbale buildings are not just energy saving and money saving, they are really good fun to build! Anyone can build with straw when shown how. The introductory course led by Chris Hawker will equip you with the information and skills required to build your own home, barn, studio by loadbearing or infill methods - low cost, low environmental footprint and high performance building. You will have the opportunity to see strawbale buildings at various stages of construction in the eco-development. 

Theory Clay plastering: How to prepare for clay plastering; how to mix, make, test and apply clay plasters. We will work with local clay and learn how we can use this amazing resource in our own homes. A guide to using a mixture of machinery, tools, hands and feet, with theory sessions on the use of clay. Everyone from beginners to professional plasterers welcome. 

Theory - Lime plastering: How to prepare for lime rendering; how to mix, make and apply the different layers of lime, fully supported with the theory of lime, it's history, and different types of lime appropriate for uses in both strawbale buildings and conventional buildings. We will use a mixture of electric tools and hand tools. Everyone from beginners to professional plasterers welcome. 

FAQ's

How to make your booking: Once you have selected the duration of your course select and follow the links through to our PayPal payment options.

What is your Cancellation Policy? We regret that except in cases of illness, we will make the following cancellation charges:

a) more than two weeks before the course - half the fee forfeit.

b) less than two weeks before the course - the full fee forfeit.

The deposit is non refundable in most circumstances. However, the Rock Farm Slane as event operator reserves the right to cancel any courses. Deposits and fees will be returned in full should this happen.

What time does the course start and finish each day? The courses will run each day from 10.00am to 5pm.  We will break for lunch and refreshments over the course of the day.

Meal options for Course participants Residents - Included in the rate we offer a lunch and refreshments to participants on both days.

I have special dietary requirements - can you accomodate me? Of course, just let us know what your needs are for example: Vegan/Vegetarian etc or indeed if you have any allergies or intollerances.  We want you to be happy and healthy during your time with us!

How do I get to Rock Farm Slane? We are located only 45 minutes drive from Dublin Airport and 1 hour by bus from Dublin city centre. We are 10 minutes walk from the village of Slane.

Driving From Dublin Airport/Ferry Ports: If arriving at the airport/Dublin or Dun Laoghaire ferry ports, take the M1 north out of Dublin and exit at the Slane exit (signposted Navan)

Bus Services from Dublin:

Collins Coaches Timetable - Service from Lower Abbey Street Dublin to Slane

Bus Eireann - #188 Bus Service from Drogheda

Accommodation: Our campsite is fully booked for the month of December but alternative accommodation is available locally please see following links:

Castle View Bed & Breakfast - http://www.stayinslane.com/

Hostel Accommodation - Slane Farm Hostel