An adventurous Forkhill man is on a mission to re-introduce the younger generation to the great outdoors and the world of bushcraft. Outdoor educator, Diarmuid Farmer, opened Red Branch Bushcraft last year in a bid to tear children away from their screens and provide them with an outlet for fun and adventure whilst learning a range of skills, from basic fire craft and shelter building to more advanced friction fires and survival skills.
Having spent over 15 years living and teaching outdoor pursuits for the Education Department in the rugged surroundings of Achill Island in County Mayo, the south Armagh native returned home four years ago eager to use the area’s stunning natural environment to explore and teach the practice of bushcraft to children and adults alike.
“Bushcraft is basically using what is around you, with the minimal amount of tools, to enhance your outdoor experience,” explains Diarmuid.
Speaking to The Examiner about his adventurous enterprise, which is situated in the foothills of Slieve Gullion, on the Longfield Road in Forkhill, the outdoor enthusiast says the response to his unique bushcraft camps and courses has been fantastic, with adult groups also taking the opportunity to learn outdoor skills to pass onto their children on camping trips and outdoor adventures.
Surrounded by an acre of 1,000 native trees, Red Branch Bushcraft is the perfect setting for the fun and challenging activities offered – from shelter building to fire starting, to axe throwing, wild camping, water purification and navigation courses.
“I’ve always been interested in Bushcraft and was keen to develop the idea of bringing it to south Armagh after moving back,” says Diarmuid. Family land in rural Forkhill provided the ideal location for his venture and the bushcraft centre now accommodates a steady stream of youth and school groups, as well as providing an alternative birthday party experience and a range of summer camps.
“The whole concept is to get kids back out there, that was the simple plan, just to get kids back to nature and equip them with skills to enjoy their surroundings and enhance their outdoor experience,” explains Diarmuid. “Our summer camps usually start with basic fire starting then more advanced fire lighting, primitive fire lighting with boulders and flints then we move on to shelters, survival shelters and bushcraft shelters, over 5 days. For adult groups it’s more in depth, giving them a better understanding of why we do things.”
“So far the feedback has been fantastic,” adds Diarmuid.
“Parents love the fact kids are getting out and doing this stuff. We are giving the kids the confidence to do these sort of things for themselves – teaching them how to safely build and manage fires and source material for and build shelters. In the adult ‘Back to Basics’ group which is currently running, parents are learning the skills to take back to their kids and a lot of adults end up enrolling their children in the camps and courses after completing their own ‘Back to Basics’ course.”
Red Branch Bushcraft combines adventure and fun to provide the ultimate back-to-nature experience for young and old alike. For bookings and further information, contact Diarmuid via the Red Branch Bushcraft Facebook page.