Christine Brennan
Native : Gort, Co. Galway
Profession : Currently working as a Brand Manager with
a background in communications and project management.

Academic Background; B.A Communications – DCU
MSc Multimedia - DCU

'The destruction of our environment is one of the
greatest issues facing us. The Green Sod Land Trust
aims to be the voice of the Irish landscape and
protect it for future generations.'

Mary Connaughton, Dublin,
Native of Oldcastle, Co, Meath
Profession: Teacher. Member of the Mercy Congregation

Academic Background;
Primary Teacher Training, Carysfort College, Dublin,
BA, H.Dip in Education. University College, Dublin,
MA, Religious Studies, Berkeley, California.
Studied under Brian Swimme in San Francisco.

She worked in Brazil for a number of years where her contact with members of the Sem Terra movement and their struggle against eviction and dispossession greatly affected her. The contrast between the lush soil of her native Meath and the deprivation and suffering of the landless of Brazil has heightened her concern for the protection of our land for future generations.

'In order to deepen my knowledge of cosmology I joined Brú na Cruinne, the national cosmology group and was instrumental in setting up the East Coast Cosmology group in Dublin.l'

Sheila Gallagher, Galway
Native of the City of Galway
Profession: Mother, Art Teacher. Textile Designer.
For a number of years she has been working as an art teacher with the Travelling Community.

Academic Background;
Bachelor of Design - Textiles, Galway Mayo Institute Technology, Galway

Sheila is a founder member of Galway Environmental Alliance, a lobby group formed to help protect the natural environment.
She is the co-owner, with her sister Mary, of The Nora Barnacle House Museum, Bowling Green, Galway

'I am concerned with the way the natural environment is being relentlessly destroyed by human greed. But I am hopeful, there are lots of good, caring, concerned people out there and I am confident they will join us in our task in The Green Sod Land Trust'

Melissa Griffith, Galway.
Native of Co. Dublin
Profession: Teacher. Mother.

Academic Background
MA Ethical and Cultural Studies National University of Ireland, Galway.
BA Philosophy and English NUI Galway.
Dip.Farm Home Management. Dept of Agriculture, Cork.
Cert. Biodynamic Psychology and Integrative Psychotherapy Galway.

'I am currently teaching in a part-time capacity. I am an active member of Galway Environmental Alliance. I lived and worked in Papua New Guinea for a number of years and the experience of living with the Papua New Guinean people, the mountains and rain-forests opened my eyes to how inter-dependent and inter-connected all life is. I live by the maxim of the great environmentalist John Seymour who said "I am only one, I can only do what one can do, but what one can do I will do," and so in this spirit, I commit myself to the work of this Green Sod Land Trust'

Rosaleen Hogan
Native of Inchicore, Dublin. Member of the Sisters of Mercy.
Primary Teacher Training, Carysfort College, Dublin,

Academic Background
BA, H.Dip in Education. University College, Dublin,
MA,Creation Spirituality, Holy Names University Oakland, California.
Studied under Brian Swimme in San Francisco.

She is a member of Brú na Cruinne, the national cosmology group and is a founder member of the East Coast Cosmology group.

'Having lived for over twenty years in the largest building complex in the greater Dublin area, I have experienced, at first hand how modern life can often estrange and cut us off from our connection with and feeling for the land which sustains us. I have a growing unease and concern for what is happening our land and the whole ecological environment of this country.'

Noreen Lyons
Native of East Galway,
Profession: Teacher. Member of the Mercy Congregation Adult Educator in Earth Literacy.

Academic Background:
BA Theology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
Certificate, Genesis Farm, Earth Literacy Centre, New Jersey, USA

'Having spent 15 years in formal education I took a new direction in life. Being keenly aware of and disturbed by the changing nature of our relationship with the land led me with others to found An Gáirdin Ecology Centre in the early 1990's. I believe our single most urgent task at the beginning of this Millennium is to protect the land which is now under unprecedented threat.'

Nellie McLaughlin
Native Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Profession; Teacher. Member of Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy.
Author; Out of Wonder, the Evolving Story of the Universe, Veritas 2004.
Lecturer: MA in Ecology & Religion (Dalgan Park, Navan & Lampeter University, Wales

Academic Background;
B.A. University College, Dublin.
M. Divinity Weston Jesuit of Theology, Cambridge, MA. USA
Diploma in Development Studies, Kimmage Manor, Dublin
Certificate in Earth Literacy, Genesis Farm, New Jersey, USA
Certificate in Ecology & Human Spirit, St. Thomas University, FL, USA

'I have worked as a teacher in N. Ireland and Iceland, later in social justice and community leadership (Ireland) and presently in cosmology, ecology and sustainable living throughout Ireland.'

"I am only one, I can only do what one can do, but what one can do I will do,"

John Seymour 1914-2004

John Seymour born in London in 1914, lived in Co. Wexford from 1980’s and died in Wales in 2004 at the age of 90years.  He was buried in his family’s land, wrapped in blankets made of wool from his own sheep. 

He was an environmentalist, activist, broadcaster, farmer, and a fun loving man.  He and the fairies opposed monsanto’s plans to grow GM crops next to his farm in Co. Wexford and Monsanto were compelled to abandon their project and left.