Since we, Sisters of Mercy, began putting down our roots here back in 2006 on the wild Atlantic edge at Glór na Mara in Bundoran, our vision has been to re-connect with the Earth and to explore our lifestyle and spirituality within the context of the stunning new insights of the Sacred Story of the unfolding Universe.  The call has been to widen our circle of compassion to include the natural world in all its splendor, discovering the riches of the oneness of the inner and outer spiritual soul journey.

The practical aspect of our initiative here has been to transform a small corner of land into an organic community garden and allotments run by the local people. Organic growing is a more sustainable and holistic way of relating to the land, connecting people with the miracle of topsoil which is so fragile and precious on the planet and also to connect to the life support systems on which we depend – the soil, sun, water and air. At this crucial time of environmental crisis and climate change, organic growing is a way of absorbing carbon into the soil thus reducing our carbon footprint.

Over the years a large number of local people have worked here in the garden and together they have achieved a lot, transforming the land at Glór Na Mara into an incredibly abundant space. They provide local restaurants with mixed leaf salad bags and also receive their own weekly share of nutritious organic vegetables.

Realising that our wellbeing and health is inextricably linked to our planet’s ecological health, and aware of the massive loss of various species in the natural world, from the beginning we believed passionately in promoting biodiversity for the health of the whole community of life.  Biodiversity underpins the processes that make life possible. Here the meadow, wild flowers, plants, hedges and shrubs all provide safe harbour and sustenance for lots of wildlife. We have developed a bee and butterfly garden which has nectar-producing flowers and shrubs on which bees and adult butterflies can forage. In more recent times we have begun keeping hens and supplying the local people with eggs. The hens are a popular local attraction especially with the children who frequently visit them!

Over the years hundreds of local school children have frequently been coming here to the garden, using it as an outdoor classroom to learn about the wonders of the natural world. People have come from all parts of Ireland and far beyond, to learn about the overall running of the garden at Glór na Mara. The secret of its flourishing is of course the Earth itself and also support from the local people, which has always been really strong and it has also strengthened community ties.

With growing awareness we realise on the soul’s journey, that God heals us through the Earth where the Divine pervades all! It is therefore profoundly moving to be aware that there is healing everywhere around us when we open to its invitation.  In these crucial times we value the encouraging words of Pope Francis in Laudate Si and call on the strength we need to engage with the challenges ahead, ‘Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience’. Laudato Si #217.

All vegetables and flowers pictured below were grown in Glor Na Mara

Contact Details
Glór Na Mara
West End
Bundoran
Co Donegal

Telephone
071-9833899

Email
assumptaclarebutler@gmail.com
haganmarykate@gmail.com

Nigeria

Aware of the clear connection between poverty and the environmental destruction of the planet, our connection with Sr. Maire McGann and the Sabon Rayuwa Ecology Centre in Nigeria, has been a very valuable resource, enabling people to make the connection between human poverty and the degradation of the earth.

Courses

We have been offering courses here to the local people on the New Cosmology, biodiversity, energy, organic growing, cooking, herbs, health, spirituality, ritual and sustainable lifestyle choices. During the courses we share our vision of reclaiming our connection with the natural world by promoting a sense of place and belonging with a profound sense of the Sacred in all of it, in the context of the unfolding story of the universe.

Other ministry areas of involvement:

School environmental projects
School gardens
Part-time Resource teaching in the local Primary School
Workshops provincially and nationally in the context of the Universe Story
Provincial Retreat days on the New Cosmology
Collaboration with the Western Province in writing/developing retreat days on the New Cosmology for leaving Cert students
Writing introductory sessions on the Universe Story as the context for the ‘Lifestart’ Programme (for parents of 0-4 year olds)

Mary Kate O’Hagan rsm and Assumpta Butler rsm
Northern Province