We live in a time of many great changes. Throughout time, the roots of culture and belonging have allowed our ancestors to face uncertainty and emerge more alive.

How do we tend meaningful culture in times of great changes?

How can we approach the challenges of today with more imagination, memory and heart?

How can we draw upon the richness of our shared humanity to help create a world we want our great-grandchildren to inherit?

The vision of Le Chéile was born in response these questions. Over the last 13 months, the vision has evolved greatly—growing from a tender seed and coming to form as an annual printed publication that brings together the voices and art of people across Ireland and beyond.

Le Chéile Journal is rooted in the land and the belief in our abundant creativity and our shared humanity—with the hope of nurturing the roots of creativity, culture, and community.

Who has inspired Le Chéile Journal?

The ideas, vision, and intention behind Le Chéile Journal has been deeply inspired by the life, work and writings of John Moriarty, John O’Donohue and Joseph Campbell. The lives of these men were given, in a great part, to tending the soul of humanity and helping heal and repair culture. Their stories, wisdom and belief in the goodness of the human spirit are very much food for our time.

A Great Descent to Find Life Again

Here we stand at a great crossroads, the belly of the whale, the mystery of the eternal darkness, from which all new life is born. And it is what the old stories tell us: to know who you are at the crossroads. The goat of Le Chéile is to help give voice to the many amazing people across Ireland and around the world who will help offer a piece to this story and the great questions of our time.

Le Chéile is greatly inspired by the life and works of Joseph Campbell, John O’Donohue, and John Moriarty.

Some writing from the journal’s infancy…!

We can think of our life as an open field.

A field full of wildflowers, swaying grasses swaying, a mosaic of trees-young and old—speckled life among the blooms. Shelter for the tender song of birds. This field, this soil, has been nourished, tended by countless generations of listening human hands, belonging feet, and rich words.

Sometimes, on the winds of life, great transition comes and great turmoil visits. So that, it can seem, this field, once filled with life and promise, has been damaged, even burnt to blackness. Know, that with the destructive breath of fire comes rich charcoal and tender ash. Know too, that on the wind comes faithful seeds—ready to help heal and repair, mend and revive. May we all remember, that there is seeds within us, ready to bring medicine to this world.

Le Chéile Journal was founded by: Rosemary Kavanagh of wildrosebasketry.ie

Graphic Design by: Jenny Dempsey of jennydempseydesign.com

Website Designed by: Tamsin Blackbourn of tamsinblackbourn.ie

Our Front Cover Made by: Lucy Campbell of lupiart.com

Artistic and Writing Contributions from : Siobhan De Paor, Lucy O’Hagan, Andrew St. Ledger, Tara De Róiste, Cillian Lohan, Rosemary Kavanagh, Michael Meade, Chris Thompson, Ramon Elani, Joe Hogan, Diarmuid Mac Gloinn, and Kate Corkery.