Conan brings a rare combination of civil engineering, environmental science and outdoor leadership to Síolta Chroí's ecosystem restoration work.
Background
Conan is a South Monaghan native whose early years on the land progressed into farming and a deep love of the outdoors. That love took him into a military career and on to leading outdoor adventure activities. While studying for his degrees in civil engineering, focusing on natural and environmental processes, he became increasingly aware of the widespread mismanagement and exploitation of the natural environment. He holds a BAI in Environmental Engineering from the University of Dublin and a B.Eng in Civil and Structural Engineering from Dundalk IT, alongside a Certificate in Permaculture Design, and is completing a Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration through Gaia Education and the Stichting Ecosystem Restoration Foundation in the Netherlands. On his own farm, Conan is moving towards agroforestry and restoring his land through regenerative practice.
Approach & philosophy
Conan's work at Síolta Chroí brings engineering rigour together with ecological humility. He believes that meaningful land restoration starts with reading the land carefully — soil, water, biodiversity, history — and then designing interventions that work with those systems rather than against them. He is particularly interested in agroforestry and how working farms can be productive and restorative at the same time.
Recognition
Conan's farm has been profiled by Talamh Beo as an example of land moving towards regeneration. [Add any additional awards, publications or speaking engagements.]
