Organic farmer says love of land helps keep him sober

Healing Bridges Festival promises weekend of drink- and drug-free fun

A serious addiction to alcohol once left organic farmer Gearoid Teevan in a dark place now he wants to help others live their best lives.

The Cavan man went to rehab over a decade ago and credits his love of the land and nature with helping to keep him sober.

So when he inherited a farm from his beloved Uncle Jim Teevan, with lakes and woods, he set about creating the healing retreat ‘Drummany Spirit’ for others looking for hope and healing.

And now this beautiful paradise outside Milltown in County Cavan, is hosting the inaugural ‘Healing Bridges Festival’ – a weekend of drink- and drug-free merry making.

“The idea for the festival was conceived by my good friend and musician Sean Mulrooney, after a vision came to him following a pilgrimage around Ireland with wisdom keeper Wayne Standing Bear. We worked together on the concept alongside another good friend, Sandra Nelson, and now the hard work is bearing fruit,” said Gearoid.

The festival, which will feature the likes of Pol Brennan of Clannad and Ronan O’Snodaigh of Kila, will be a real family affair with music, food, dance, workshops for children and adults, art, yoga, organic food, walks and other activities.

And uniquely it will celebrate our connection to the land with ancient storytelling and plant foraging as well as talks and workshops with spiritual elders from all over the globe.

Gearoid, 52, says: “It is a restorative festival and it is totally family orientated as it is drink- and drug-free, which will make it a safe space.

“I want to show people – without preaching – that they can have a good time without drink and drugs. Getting back in touch with nature, while enjoying good music and food, can be so enjoyable.

“Life has been difficult for so many during the pandemic and it is so important that we look after our mental and spiritual health as well as our physical needs.

The father of three added: “I really believe that my love of the land has helped me keep sober. It has grounded me.

“I started building ‘Drummany Spirit’ five years ago and now it hosts regular yoga, music and sweat lodge retreats,

“Hosting the festival is a dream come true. We are keeping it to a maximum of 250 weekend tickets as we want it to be about quality, not quantity.

“We want it to be a safe, welcoming space for all the family and there will be something for all ages.”

Festival goers have the option of day tickets or a weekend camping tickets, and they can pitch tents in a beautiful lakeside location.

Gearoid said: “We are surrounded on every side by water, the stunning Lough Oughter and Drummany Lough, the land is so beautiful, and we farm organically, so it is as nature intended it to be.”

The festival runs from August 26 to 28 and has a range of ticket options. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.ie.

Further information on the festival can be obtained by emailing the team at healingbridgesfestival@gmail.com.