The Gyreum

Corlisheen, Co. Sligo

There is a peaceful wildness about this place. Designed and built in part by owner Colum Stapleton, The Gyreum is a multi-functional eco-complex which blends naturally into its surrounding in a magnificent circular shape and employs both traditional and ultra-modern environmentally friendly techniques: its aerodynamic construction, reed beds for sewage, wind turbines, solar panels, mineral surfaced rolled roofing, recycled wool and fibreglass insulation, and the use of "junked" timber, stones, and metals. In the coming months, owner Stapleton also plans to add a living roof and windmills, all certified by Eco-EU.

At first glance, the Gyreum seems more like an abandoned alien space craft than a home and conference centre, but within the walls, whitewashed with limestone, rounded along the edges are stone work floors, creative design features, and large oblong windows which give the feeling of spaciousness, simple but tastefully elegant...in a rustic sort of way.

Home to craftmaking, classes on pottery and art, organic gardening and "Living Green," The Gyreum houses 3 dorm rooms, 2 double rooms, a modern kitchen and tiled bath, and an enormous handcrafted wooden conference table, along with a most unique conversation piece: a conversation pit highlighted by a circular cushioned bench and a cauldron, the ever burning flame of knowledge. It's aligned to 3 solar events pointing toward the megalithic cairns of Moytura, Carrowkeel and Queen Maeve's on top of Knocknarae.

Colum Stapleton, a documentary film maker, interviewed by RTE on the anniversary of the opening of the Gyreum, runs a non-profit centre for learning, retreats, courses, and pilgrimages, the latest called Pilgrim's Progress, a two-week pilgrimage around north west Ireland with visits to various ancient and holy sites including Poor Clare Convent, Jampa Ling Retreat, Irish Rath Temple, Patrick's Purgatory, and Queen Maeve's Cairn.

His latest documentary in progress deals with the subject of storing plantable seeds i permafrost, a technique which will preserve them for future generations. The film monitors the construction of an Artic seed vault and follows Cary Fowler as he sets out to gather seed duplicates (www.articdoomsdayvault.com) The film is scheduled for release in 2008 with segments in Norway, Ethiopia, and St. Petersburg already completed.

The Gyreum is an on-going project, a totally eco-friendly structure offering a little learning and a charming bit of craic from its indomitable, ingenious owner, Colum Stapleton.

Full schedule of classes, workshops, retreats, and pilgrimages available at www.gyreum.com OR www.greenbox.ie.

 

How to get there:

From Dublin: Head North along N4 towards Sligo. At Castlebaldwin turn right and follow main road through Bow & Arrow cross roads, through Killadoon cross roads. Take first turn after Killadoon on left (on the steep hill). Continue for 1kilometre and entrance to Gyreum is on your right.

From Belfast: A6 to Derry, then A5 to Lifford, N15 to Sligo Town. Take N4 to Drumfin, left at sign 3km to Riverstown. Head North along N4 towards Sligo. At Castlebaldwin turn right and follow main road through Bow & Arrow cross roads, through Killadoon cross roads. Take first turn after Killadoon on left (on the steep hill). Continue for 1kilometre and entrance to Gyreum is on your right.

 

Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007