SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

The Herb School offers immersive, experience-based learning that reconnects students with the landscapes, traditions and biodiversity of Ireland. Through guided foraging walks, practical workshops and engaging talks, students gain hands-on knowledge of native wild plants, sustainable harvesting, herbal traditions and seasonal food.

These sessions encourage critical thinking about food systems, ecology, health and heritage, while fostering wellbeing, creativity and a sense of curiosity. Whether enhancing culinary skills, horticultural knowledge, cultural studies or sustainability initiatives, The Herb School provides memorable learning experiences rooted in Irish plant wisdom.

People We've Worked With

CULINARY STUDENTS

For culinary students, wild and cultivated herbs, seashore plants and seaweeds offer new dimensions of flavour, seasonality and creativity. Wild edible leaves, buds, flowers, seeds, roots and berries, all have unique flavour profiles and offer a whole new world of possibilities to the budding chef.

The Herb School workshops expand students’ understanding of terroir, sustainable sourcing and native ingredients, while developing practical skills in identifying, harvesting and preparing wild foods safely and responsibly. Sessions can complement modules in gastronomy, menu development and contemporary Irish cuisine.

CULINARY STUDENT OPTIONS

Seasonal Foraging Walk
Coastal and Seashore Foraging
Native Irish Wild Edibles
Wild Preserves and Condiments
Wild Drinks and Botanicals
Campus Biodiversity Walk
Growing and Caring for Culinary Herbs

HORTICULTURAL STUDENTS

The Herb School provides applied plant knowledge that bridges ecology, botany and practical cultivation, drawing on over thirty years of experience running a certified organic, professional herb plant and seed nursery.

Workshops and walks explore native Irish edible and medicinal plants, reinforcing plant identification skills, habitat awareness and biodiversity in action. The Herb School is committed to using and promoting organic, sustainable and eco-friendly gardening principles.

HORTICULTURAL STUDENTS Options

Native Irish Plant Identification
Herb Garden Design
Medicinal Herb Gardens
Sensory Gardens
Wild Edible Gardens
Wildflower Meadows and Rewilding
Campus Biodiversity Walk
Seed Saving

CULTURE AND HERITAGE STUDENTS

Ireland’s plants are deeply woven into myth, folklore and seasonal tradition, and the connection between native plants and archaeology is multifaceted. The Herb School offers culturally rich sessions exploring Irish myth and lore, traditional healing practices and the symbolic role of plants in Irish identity.

Our seasonal offerings focus on native Irish trees and plants, and on the traditions connected with them that are associated with the ancient Celtic fire festivals of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain. These experiences bring academic study to life through plants, landscape and storytelling.

CULTURE & HERITAGE OPTIONS

Irish Myth and Lore
Native Trees & Plants
Coastal Wild Food Traditions
Celtic Seasons and Plant Customs
Traditional Herbal Remedies
Visit to Fourkocks Passage Graves
Naul Village History

COLLEGE SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS

For sustainability weeks, biodiversity days or student wellbeing initiatives, The Herb School offers engaging, accessible sessions that promote environmental awareness and connection to local ecosystems. Our lunchtime learning events can easily fit in with the busy college schedule.

These events inspire practical action, from learning about native wild plants and supporting pollinators, to growing herbs and reducing food miles, while also supporting student wellbeing through fostering a deeper connection with nature.

SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS OPTIONS

Campus Biodiversity Walk
Introduction to Ethical Foraging
Herb Tea Workshop
Natural Herbal Remedies
Celtic Calendar &
Traditional Plant Wisdom
Growing Herbs in Small Spaces

TRANSITION YEAR STUDENTS

Transition Year students benefit greatly from hands-on, exploratory learning that builds confidence, curiosity and real-world skills. The Herb School’s workshops introduce students to the natural world through foraging, food, sustainability and traditional plant knowledge.

These sessions encourage observation, critical thinking and creativity, while supporting wellbeing through time spent outdoors. They also align well with TY goals around personal development, environmental awareness and trying new skills.

TRANSITION YEAR OPTIONS

Introduction to Foraging
Seasonal Foraging Walk
Coastal Foraging Experience
Wild Food Workshop
Herbal Tea Workshop
Natural Herbal Remedies
Introduction to Natural Cosmetics

Testimonials

What our participants say about their learning experience at The Herb School

Denise is a natural teacher, wears her knowledge lightly but engages her audience with her vast knowledge of the natural world and its medicinal bounty.

Máírtín Mac Con Iomaire, Chair, MA Gastronomy and Food Studies, TU Dublin

Our seashore foraging expedition with third level students from DCU was a special and most enjoyable afternoon. The level of knowledge, expertise and professionalism shown by Denise was simply awe-inspiring. She was so interactive and inclusive of all attendees and the whole event was most enjoyable, with so much to take away from the experience.

Vincent Hooper, School of Chemical Science, DCU

The feedback from the students has been extremely positive and we all learnt so much about the natural secrets around us. Denise’s breadth of knowledge and interest in nature shone through and has inspired students and staff to look at the organisms around us in a very different light.

Brian Kelleher, School of Chemical Science, DCU

Denise hosted a workshop on our campus as part of DCU SU Green Week. The workshop completely sold out, and we even had some students tag along once they overheard Denise speaking. It was engaging and incredibly informative without being an information overload, with loads of practical tips from Denise’s wealth of experience. We had overwhelmingly positive feedback from students.

Emily Cathcart, DCU Students’ Union

Everyone really enjoyed the walk – they were buzzing afterwards! They were also really impressed by the depth of your knowledge. It was lovely to get outside the classroom and still be learning. The information you gave us crossed over our academic modules, for example, your reference to the Fat Hen plant and Tollund Man, so this is really relevant for the students.

Elizabeth McCullagh, National Print Museum, Cultural and Heritage Studies

Contact Us

Please leave us a brief message with your enquiry and we will get back to you!

Email denise@theherbschool.ie or fill out the form below.