A Cottage and Three Acres

by Colette O'Neill

Genres: Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Colette's first book which is self published locally in her community. She details how leaves the corporate world, gives up her vices, buys a dilapidated cottage on three acres of neglected land, and turns it into the beautiful flourishing piece of land that it is today. She lives without most modern conveniences and lives almost exclusively off the land. She talks about how much of a spiritual experience it is as well. It's a breath of fresh air :) LOVE her and her youtube channel and what she is doing for Mother Earth. I recommend this to everybody, especially those of us who are looking to reconnect with the Earth.

[HDubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for Christmas and was so excited to read it that I started straight away. Had we not had plans the last few days I’d certainly have finished it within a day.

This book is not very long it’s only about 180 pages split into 16 chapters. Colette tells how she bought her cottage (rather spontaneously) and then how she had really no plans for how to start planting, just “visions”. I had been hoping this book would describe her actual process, more than just her feelings, but still was not disappointed by the book.

The book is more introspective than I had expected. Colette does not criticize many (if any) of her decisions and very little is said about the amount of work she must expend to maintain her gardens. I would have liked to hear more about that, since I know she does spend quite some time clearing brush from her paths and ponds. I’d have also wished for more information on her “no-dig” gardening; though the information is available on her blog, a sort of skeletal book outlining what “Goddess Permaculture” is would have been very nice indeed.

Nevertheless this book was wonderfully inspiring and a very nice addition to the other permaculture literature I’ve already read. People do think you’re mad for believing in permaculture—but like Colette I care not a fig! I shall ready my tiny garden for spring and work diligently towards my own small cabin.

“Plant like your life depends on it. For it does.” -Colette O’Neill

[Michelle Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled over Colette's homestead via YouTube and was captivated by her tale of purchasing a bare, boggy property in Ireland and transforming it into a lush, diverse ecosystem with very little money and a whole lot of hard work. Her book is locally published and only printed on demand. Using not just sustainable, but restorative permaculture, she nursed her land back into the fertile oasis that used to cover Ireland. Very inspiring. https://bealtainecottage.com

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly inspiring book on what is possible in permaculture! Ms. O'Neill is very new age in her beliefs whereas I am a devout Christian, but regardless of our differences I feel a great kinship with her and could definitely learn a lot!

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading her backstory and learning how the author ended up at Bealtaine Cottage. I enjoyed learning about her early years transforming her land. It is a beautiful and unique story about buying a boggy wasted land and turing it into a lush forest in Western Ireland. I do appreciate that she didn't spend pages upon pages bashing other people's religion and the religion she found herself rejecting in adulthood. However, I lost some interest toward the ending because she had switched from her personal story to her religious and philosophical beliefs, and I found that less compelling. This book, along with her blog and Youtube channel, are an inspiration for anyone hoping to transform their little plots of land from a monoculture to permaculture. 3.5 stars

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it because its a true account based in a landscape I know, and its obvious how the authors work has healed this land and encourages nature to thrive. I would have liked a bit more mention of the 'grittyness' and troubles that I'm sure she must have faced...theres little mention of plants failing or mistakes made, for instance. Its a feminine and spiritual snapshot of the authors life, with a sprinkling of Irish history.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Bealtaine Cottage on YouTube, Collette is a prolific video maker and I knew that I would not be able to catch up on her story as she has been posting for over 7 years, virtually daily. This book provides an insight into her wonderful journey of enlightenment and her call back to Mother Earth. I found it both inspiring and educational; it is a gentle and honest read and one that has led me to realise that we all have the power to make a changes - we just have to do it!

[Antoinette M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Colette O'Neill is a great inspiration. I love her work, and the story of how the magical Bealtaine Cottage came to be.

[Nancy Rudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful inspiration - someday I too will have a food forest

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

O'Neill's account of leaving the corporate world to turn a dilapidated cottage on three acres of swampy, neglected land in Ireland into a permaculture haven. She lives on very little money, without most modern conveniences. Wonderfully the land is flourishing under her care. Her deep respect for nature, her knowledge, and her hard work are an inspiration. "First plant for the bees."

[Linda McNamara-Boonstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very inspiring to me. Wish it was longer.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this. A magical, inspiring journey of permaculture and regenerating land. A must read for those needing inspiration in the garden.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this unpretentious telling of how one woman bought 3 acres of barren land in Ireland and created a forest, a garden, a Permaculture of food for Nature and herself. Much of the feminine divine is heralded throughout. An ancient Ireland is brought into play, and how mankind has depleted it over the years, much as he has anything to do with the feminine. I enjoyed most reading of how she changed the land back to its undepleted state. Her methods and tenacity are exemplary. I applaud her vision and how it came to be. I assume much of this writing came from her blogs, which would explain some of the repetition. But new information is always added, so a refresher was welcome.

I do, however, have one critique … Lay! Off! The! Exclamation! Points! !!!

[Robert]

What Colette has done is amazing. Definitely read and check out her youtube channel, Bealtaine Cottage.