Reviving Traditions: Talamh Beo at Clonakilty Samhain 2026

This year the Clonakilty Samhain festival will officially host a Regional Gathering of Talamh Beo, the Irish movement of farmers, land-workers and citizens campaigning for sustainable land use and Food Sovereignty.  Events will include film screening, seed share and various talks linking our food systems to the health of our bodies, our soil and our communities.  Alongside this ‘Living Land’ agricultural forum, Clonakilty will come alive with a vibrant cultural lineup, featuring traditional music sessions with special guests arriving from all across the country, alongside lively céilís, traditional craft exhibitions and other events honouring the deep roots and living heritage of Irish culture.

Talamh Beo regional gathering events include:

Location: The Studios, Spillers Lane, Clonakilty

FRIDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

8-9:30pm – Farming Is Medicine: Film Screening & Discussion  How are health and poverty, colonialism and climate change, farming and medicine all related to each other? Farming is Medicine is a compelling documentary from the Deep Medicine Circle (DMC) which reveals how these seemingly separate issues are in fact deeply intertwined.  After the film, Dr Rupa Marya of the DMC and Dr Oliver Moore will relate this work to Ireland, bringing together agroecology, medicine, decolonial practice, and practical food sovereignty in order to build a food system based in care.

FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

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SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

10-11am – Farmers Shed: Tea, Scones and some sharing (Farmers only) – An opportunity for farmers to listen and be listened to, in a supportive, farmer-only environment.  FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

1-2pm – What Is Talamh Beo?  Talamh Beo which translates to ‘Living Land’ is a member-led national movement for agroecology & food sovereignty.  In this session Thomas O Connor (farmer/Talamh Beo) and Allison Roberts, (Talamh Beo), will introduce the organisation’s mission, give an overview of the currency Local Food Policy Framework and associated policy proposal for a Basic Income for Local Food Farmers and answer any questions! FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

2-3pm –  Banc Síolta: Seeds for a Living Land Christian Wulff (Wolf Seeds) & Thomas O Connor (Manna Organic Farm) will explore why saving seed is one of the most practical acts of food sovereignty and food security we have. Seed is the beginning of every harvest but its future is being shaped in Brussels as much as in our fields. They will discuss who keeps heritage varieties alive like the Gortahork cabbage and how to develop new varieties adapted to the Irish climate. Bring your questions, and your seed stories.
FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

3-4pm – Seed Swap & Market.  Join us for an hour of seed swapping and talking about seeds as past generations used to do. Bring surplus seeds or any seeds you’ve saved. Label them with what they are, where they came from and when they were saved. No seeds to swap? Come and chat anyway. There will also be seeds for sale from local seed savers who will be happy to help you get started with saving your own. FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

5:30-6:30pm – From Soil to Self, a conversation about the impact of food systems on human health and what we can do about it.  Join Melissa Byrne (Registered Dietitian, Kids Food Revolution) and Dr. Rupa Marya (Deep Medicine Circle, Trinity School of Medicine) in a conversation around our bodies, our planet and our plates!   FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

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SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

12-1pm – Our Soil – Living Earth –  In the world beneath our feet, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes and other organisms help create resilient soil which feeds our plants and provides us with healthy food. Join Elise McCarthy (Wolf Seeds) to discover and understand some of these organisms and how to support them – including using kitchen scraps, worm bins and composting. FREE // DONATIONS WELCOME

See full festival programme here.