Martha Cashman’s work is deeply influenced by her childhood on the south coast of Ireland, near the medieval town of Youghal. She grew up in a family rooted in the land; her father was a market gardener who cultivated fields of vegetables, using a horse to work the land until the early 1980s. He enriched the soil with seaweed gathered from the local beach, instilling a strong connection to natural, sustainable practices.
Living alongside her grandmother, Martha learned how to collect seeds and plant them, nurturing an early understanding of the cyclical nature of food and life.
Now an environmental activist and arts facilitator, Martha has developed her eco-focused project, MORE CLAY LESS PLASTIC IRELAND. Through this work, she offers creative clay workshops centred on environmental awareness and horticulture for individuals, corporate groups, and local communities. She also provides one-on-one clay therapy play sessions, inviting participants to connect with nature and creativity in a meaningful way.
Martha is doing a performance obvara firing during the Ballymaloe Festival of Food, Sunday 17th May 2026, 4pm (time subject to change)
Obvara firing is an ancient pottery technique from the 12th century, using a raku styled firing, it's a magical process to experience. This is an alternative firing technique using fermented sourdough. Dipping very hot white ceramic pots from the kiln into the mix of sugar, flour, yeast and water gives off great scents of fresh baked bread, whilst leaving unpredictable mottled brown toast like patterns on the surface of the pots.
This link between art and food highlights the importance of supporting our organic food growers. Martha is using organic flour from Merry Mill Co. Laois, the only gluten free mill in Ireland.
International award winning ceramic artist sculptor
www.marthacashman.com
To purchase contact 0872606999
Dearbhla has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, the more she practiced she noticed how grounded and calm she was after yoga. In time the physical rewards became secondary to the mental and spiritual impact of her practice. Yoga and meditation has both become an integral part of her daily life.
Dearbhla currently practices and teaches Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative yoga and Meditation.And she believes through the practice of yoga we can find balance, clarity and stillness of the mind.
Dearbhla has trained extensively and has vast experience teaching retreats both in Ireland and Internationally, she has been the resident teacher at the Cliffs of Moher for 4 years. She also teaches in Little Bird and Samadhi yoga. And in 2020 and 2021 Dearbhla has been teaching online via Zoom!
Dearbhla is very interested in healing and trauma in the body, her retreats have a focus on healing and letting go of all stress, connecting to a place of peace and calm that is always there.
For more information on Dearbhla visit http://dearbhlaglynn.com/
Ballymaloe House has a reputation for delivering delicious food. All meals will be served in the beautiful surroundings of the Ballymaloe Dining rooms with produce sourced from the walled garden and local area. Each meal will be a delicious experience to nourish and rejuvenate.
Dearbhla will lead a warming Vinyasa flow practice in the mornings. Practicing several sun salutations with a different variations. The overall practice is slow, moving mindfully with the breath. Holding some poses a little longer to develop strength and generate warmth in the body. We will flow through different transitions improving overall body awareness and opening the joints, while also strengthening and lengthening the muscles. The practice is slow, warming and requires some physical stamina yet it has a lovely meditative and mindful quality to it. Dearbhla will offer modifications for any of the more challenging poses and rest is always an option! Creating an overall feeling of stillness and calm.
This is a lovely practice which focuses on breathing, stretching and relaxing before lunch.
Slow down, unwind and restore your energy with a ninety minute Yin Yoga and restorative practice, aiming to calm the mind, stretch and relax the body. This two-hour practice will create space and stillness in both the mind and body. Yin yoga targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones and even the joints, and releases tension and stress in the body.
The focus is simply about letting go of stress and tension, releasing into a deep yin practice followed by a long restorative practice using bolsters and blankets so people can relax, unwind and recharge. Dearbhla will use relaxing essential oils during the restorative practice for an even more relaxing experience.
Come take sanctuary in the beautiful grounds of Ballymaloe House and Grainstore.
We promise to nurture you and create a safe space where you can rest, reflect, reconnect with yourself. Our retreats are for those of us who really want to rest and take some time out to self care, reflect, unwind and simply let go of all stress.
Ballymaloe is is a beautiful, nourishing environment, you are in a safe and cosy cocoon of comfort, where every detail of your stay has been thought of.
All you have to do is show up and we will make sure you have a wonderful, restful stay
There is plenty of time to reconnect with yourself, move, stretch, rest and reset.
Your bedroom in Ballymaloe will be spacious and comfortable.
Ballymaloe Grainstore, as the name suggests is an old grainstore that was turned into a multipurpose venue by Rory Allen. The large airy space offers a calm light filled area for you to practice yoga in a safe and covid friendly environment.
