February 12, 2026

Hands-on Heritage Skills for Resilient Clare Communities – Free LEADER Training Now Open

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is inviting community organisations across County Clare to register for a new programme of fully funded Traditional Skills Training Days, supported through LEADER 2023–2027 and delivered on CLDC’s behalf by Common Knowledge. The training will help local groups build practical traditional and heritage skills they can bring back to their own communities for long-term benefit.​

CLDC and LEADER in association with Common Knowledge

Building skills in Clare communities

The programme is designed to build local capacity by equipping communities with practical skills that support biodiversity, climate action, repair and care for shared places. The focus is on tangible, hands-on skills that suit volunteer-led projects and meitheals, from stone and lime work to repair, food preservation and habitat creation. Priority will be given to organisations that demonstrate a commitment to working with, integrating, or supporting marginalised or disadvantaged communities.​

From March 2026, participating organisations will attend a one-day, in-person training workshop at The Common Knowledge Centre near Kilfenora, Co. Clare. Each group can nominate up to six participants per training day, with expert tuition, tools, lunch and refreshments provided at no cost.​

Through LEADER, delivered locally by Clare Local Development Company, we are supporting communities across County Clare to protect traditional skills and put them into practice in ways that strengthen local resilience. This programme is about much more than learning techniques – it is about building confidence, connection and capacity within communities, while supporting climate action, biodiversity and sustainable living.”

Siobhan Normoyle, CLDC LEADER Coordinator

Who can take part?

Training days are open to people aged 18 or over who are members of Clare-based community organisations and social enterprises that deliver community benefit in County Clare. Participants must live in Clare and be connected to the applying organisation. Eligible groups include:​

  • Tidy Towns groups
  • Community development organisations and CLGs
  • Men’s, Women’s and Queer Sheds
  • Residents’ associations
  • Environmental and heritage groups
  • Social enterprises delivering community benefit​

Participation is community-led rather than individual, and all participants must be resident in County Clare. No prior technical experience is required – what matters most is a willingness to learn together and put skills into practice locally.​

Skills covered

Training days will cover a range of traditional and heritage skills that can be used directly in community projects. Workshops will include:​

  • Dry stone walling
  • Hand tools for community projects
  • Lime pointing and lime plastering
  • Hedge laying
  • Food preservation and storage
  • Community repair skills
  • Build a bench
  • Habitat structures
  • Willow garden structures​

Each workshop is designed to be practical and hands-on, accessible to a range of experience levels, achievable with modest tools and volunteer effort, and suitable for use in community settings.​

How it works

  • Community organisations register their interest by 27th February.​
  • Registration confirms eligibility and helps map demand across County Clare; it is not a competitive process.​
  • All workshops are fully funded through CLDC’s LEADER 2023–2027 programme.​
  • From early March, eligible organisations will be invited to book onto available workshop dates on a first-come, first-served basis.​

Community organisations can register their interest via the Common Knowledge website here

Any prior enquiries in registration contact: info@ourcommonknowledge.org

Places are limited. Early registration is encouraged.​