Our Members

A diverse group of people have joined the ecovillage. People from all walks of life, from all over the country and abroad, young and old, families and single people, are working together to create an enriching place to live.

People join the ecovillage for a variety of reasons. Many are attracted to the community aspect, others to green living and food production, others to the democratic and inclusive nature of the organisation. More often than not, it is because the ecovillage offers a combination of all these possibilities and much more.

There are more than 35 households currently renting in Cloughjordan who are building a home in the ecovillage, many of whom have been living in Cloughjordan for three or four years. Below, a few future residents explain why they joined up to the ecovillage:

Pa Finucane - 61yrs

"When I first heard about the village project I was just looking for somewhere to live and work away from the rat race. As I became more involved I realized that a unique, committed and diverse community was, more interestingly, also being built. In the end I actually found it an easy decision to commit to the project and set up my business here. 

 To me our positive philosophies of sustainability, environmental awareness and conservation are important but most important is our community and the example we can show and teach to others. I am building the Hostel and Learning Centre and cannot wait until I open my doors to the public next year. Anyone considering membership is doing so because they really know deep in their heart that there must be a better way to live, to bring up their children and to be part of a caring sharing community - my advice to do as I did and go for it."

Davie Philip - 45yrs

 "I was one of the first people to join the project over a decade ago. What appealed to me then was the prospect of actually being part of the change we need in the world. Being proactive and helping develop the systems that will ensure a high quality life in the context of community and sustainability was, and still is, a huge attraction of this project for me.

I look forward to being able to face the challenges that society now face with a diverse community of people with a wide range of skills. I look forward to a warm home, fresh local food, clean energy, great conversations, and wonderful neighbours I can depend on. Like any project or business the current economic situation will be a challenge we will need to overcome. However with the converging ecological challenges coming down the line I cant imagine a better place to be to weather those storms. 

Why live in the ecovillage? If you want a safe and healthy environment for you and your family to thrive in, this project is for you. If you want a greater sense of community, this project is for you. If you want to lead a simpler and healthier life this project is for you."

John Jopling

 "Back in the 1970s I became acutely aware of the worldwide human-induced elimination of species and consequent loss of biodiversity. Awareness of the unsustainability of an economic system that depends on growth in a limited world followed in the 1980s. Then in the 1990s I came up against  the stubborn resistance to change of the mainstream at local, city, and international levels. Now the Village is an opportunity for a community to design and build new systems, based on values we all share, organised in a way that frees us all to 'think outside the box', and strong and flexible enough to cope with the inevitable collapse of the mainstream over the next couple of decades, or at least to give us a better chance of doing so."

Julie & Joe, 30s

 “I (Julie) visited Findhorn Foundation Community in 2004 and was inspired by the different way of living I saw right before my eyes.  One of the things that struck me was the physical freedom and independence that the children enjoyed.  We were renting in Dublin city at the time, starting a family and looking to buy somewhere and settle down.  We wanted to move to the countryside but not to somewhere isolated.

 The eco-village seemed to offer a great childhood for our children within a warm, caring community of people of all ages, with diverse life experiences. We feel strongly about the environment and adhere to the philsophy of ‘live the change you wish to see’.  We have found that the eco-village offers the best of both worlds; a dynamic community in a rural setting.”

Brid - 52 yrs

  "I'm renting in Cloughjordan while preparing to build our house, and I really like living here. It'll be even better as the years go by, watching more and more of our plans come to fruition - already we have the community farm, celebrations at the drop of a hat, regular shared meals, neighbourliness, allotments, space for the children; soon we'll have the first houses being lived in in the ecovillage, the eco-hostel, more new businesses, more meitheals for house-building, land work, cider-making, beekeeping...... I think it'll be a great place to be young, and I'm looking forward to growing old here."

Aine and Ben - 40's

 "We have been on the move a long time, and now in our forties we finally wanted to make our home. The ecovillage for us was a place that putting put down roots meant more about new life, growth and  giving to the environment and new neighbours - and perhaps being an inspiration to other communities. Moving to Cloughjordan is full of a challenges, but anything in life of worth, value and meaning demands commitment. And rewards in ways that are intangible at times. We are excited, daunted and proud to be part of taking a step on the road, where we know that the journey is as important, as the arrival."

Jean & Mick, 50s

 "On first visiting Cloughjordan there was an aliveness, a huge sense of possibilities, of potential, of community sharing and exchange - especially of talents, abilities and gifts. I (Jean) was attracted to the idea of moving forward in my life with greater physical support. Someone else could do the heavy lifting and digging; I could offer my wisdom and experience, say in child support or facilitating meditation practice. I could write and on my doorstep, within my community, take part in Tai Chi, Yoga and the local film club.

We are looking forward to the wide range of ages, activities and facilities offered by the village and wider community. The emphasis on locally grown food, easily warmed non drafty homes with good neighbours, is the sort of home we want to live in. We hope that the village does not become over managed and professionalised; that many different people can make a living there; while everyday living costs can be kept down by members 'mucking in'. If you want to know whether the village might suit you come along and talk to the existing members - you might be pleasantly surprised."

John Burke

 "The ecovillage is something I had dreamed about for many years. What I am most looking forward to is knowing all my neighbours. I don't know what all the challenges will be but I believe the fantastic group of people that we are will overcome them. What advice would I give to prospective members? Sign up as soon as you can, don't miss out on this!"