The Land

Soearth projects is inspired by the land it surrounds. Our mental health, creative & wellness programmes integrate nature’s rich resource.

Hartwell Estate is situated on the fertile limestone soils of North Kildare and within sight of the Wicklow mountains. Stephen Morrison is a third generation beef farmer and manages a grass fed herd of cattle. Stephen’s vision for the farm is to produce carbon neutral beef, to the highest standard in a rich diverse setting.

The Estate has many important areas of wildlife habitat including a spring sourced fen, oak forest, farm ponds, re-wilded river corridor and recently planted native Irish forest. A well used badger set is situated in the centre of the farm which has been home to families of badgers for generations. Buzzards have been breeding from on the farm for the last two years and a heron can usually be found fishing in the river alongside the resident Dipper who nests under the farm bridge.

Established and continuous eco biodiverse projects include hedgerow establishment, annual planting of native trees, creation of wetland areas and development of a forest garden are some of the many initiatives evolving as we continue toward our vision of sustainability.

The beauty of its greenery and wildlife and the knowledge of the impact of our changing world compels us to positively engage with, consciously farm, protect, re-wild and sustain its legacy. Our programmes at Soearth Projects compliment this vision while sustaining its development.

“Mother nature is not a resource it is an heirloom”

— David Ipina

History of the Land

Hartwell Castle lies in the middle of the farmyard. This is surrounded by a bawn wall, these preserved sites were built in the 1500’s and were built using rock quarried from Hartwell’s nearby fields.

During the 1650’s the Duke of Ormonde, Commander in Oliver Cromewell’s army was stationed in the castle. There are stories of murder and strife connected to these historical events. On the land there are also the remains of ‘lazy beds’, dating back to famine times.

A derelict mill located on the farm is also known to be built around the 1500’s. The granite mill stone is now a feature in our garden surrounding Soearth studios.