Totally Dublin 1
After three decades, Denise no longer operates th
e herb nursery but has broadened its scope. She founded The Herb School, where she shares her knowledge of herbs and wild plants through online classes, workshops and foraging walks. This August, Denise is opening doors to immersive experiences that promise to reconnect people and participants with Ireland’s wild bounty across three stunning North County Dublin locations. The pandemic, as it did for so many, forced a pivot. “During COVID, I couldn’t do foraging or welcoming people into my home, so I began thinking about how to move everything online,” she says. The online courses were a revelation. “They are quite good because people can learn from anywhere. They don’t have to come to me.” And that’s when the concept of Herb School truly crystallised. “I had been running The Herb Nursery for years, but the physical demands and the challenges of it, along with a desire to share her knowledge more widely, led to a transformation.” Denise’s mission is straightforward: to demystify herbs and wild plants. She built a school without walls, a place where anyone can learn the skills of foraging and natural healing. Today, Denise runs a range of hands-on learning experiences through “The Herb School,” including student visits to private sessions. These events are designed to make herbs and wild plants accessible through a blend of teaching, tasting, and foraging. Seashore Foraging Walk. Saturday, August 1st, 11am - 1pm. The Shoreline Hotel, Donabate, Co. Dublin You are walking along a windswept beach, the salt air filling your lungs, and at your feet lies a treasure trove of wild food you never knew existed. On this coastal foraging walk, Denise will show you exactly what to look for. You might spot a baby octopus or find yourself surrounded by edible seaweed bursting with nutrients. The kids can join a seashell hunt. By the end of the walk, you will know how to safely identify seasonal coastal plants and seaweeds, and you will leave with plenty of tips on how to bring these nourishing wild foods into your everyday cooking. Introduction To Foraging. Saturday August 8th, 11am - 1pm. Venue: The Herb Garden, Naul, Co. Dublin, Meeting Point: The Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co Dublin. Are you interested in learning about foraging but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you can identify some wild plants but you don’t know where to start when it comes to harvesting and preparing wild food? Join Denise in her garden where she will teach you how to safely identify native Irish plants and herbs, with plenty of tips on using them to create tasty and nutritious wild food dishes, drinks and simple herbal remedies. You will learn about the Forager’s Code, which encourages safe, respectful and responsible foraging. Safety is key so the focus will be on giving you the knowledge that will allow you to forage with confidence. Some of the plants we will cover include Nettles, Dandelions, Cleavers, Ground Ivy, Daisies and Elder. Herb Tea Workshop. Saturday, 11 July. Ardgillan Castle, Skerries There’s something deeply comforting about a cup of tea made from plants you have picked yourself. You will learn which ones soothe a cough, which ones ease indigestion, and which help you aid sleep. Then it’s inside for a tasting session- you will sample a range of teas and blends and learn how to create your beneficial medicinal herbal teas. Medicinal Herb Workshop. Saturday, 12 September. Naul, Co.Dublin. Meeting Point: The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin This workshop will help you learn to craft infusions, oils, tinctures, and poultices, offering a safe space to make your own natural remedies. All workshops show a chance to reconnect with nature and embrace a more sustainable way of living. For booking and full details, visit theherbschool.ie 25
