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The Rock Ballymacavany

Based in Pettigo, County Donegal, The Rock Ballymacavany is an Irish apothecary and seed nursery dedicated to traditional, sustainable practices. Named after its ancient Irish origins (Baile Mhic Ámhain), the brand combines a deep respect for the land with regenerative principles.Founded by Helena Husinec and Gavin Carr, the company crafts handcrafted botanical remedies and offers regionally adapted, open-pollinated seeds. From seed to salve, each product embodies the spirit of the land.

Through its LandLines Blog, The Rock Ballymacavany explores slow beauty, seasonal recipes, and the connection between people, plants, and the earth. The brand’s ethos is “Walk gently, work ethically,” emphasizing products that honor nature and tradition. Rooted in Donegal’s wild landscape, The Rock Ballymacavany reflects place, heritage, and resilience. Helena Husinec, a herbalist, organic gardener, and former chemical technician, and Gavin Carr, with a background in architecture and carpentry, combine botanical knowledge and land stewardship. Helena aims to blend science and tradition in remedies and seeds that support both health and land.

Their regenerative approach fosters biodiversity, preserves heritage, and nurtures community. Their offerings include apothecary products like the Tallow Barrier Balm and regionally resilient seeds grown in their nursery.

Products & Services

• Tallow Barrier Balm (€49): A luxurious, natural skincare product made with Irish tallow, Croatian olive oil, Irish beeswax, honey, propolis, and garden botanicals, designed to hydrate and revitalize skin.

• Soothing Salve (€24): An all-natural balm infused with Irish herbs, ideal for sensitive skin, eczema, insect bites, and irritation, suitable for all ages.

All products follow the Seed-to-Skin philosophy, combining herbal wisdom with modern botanical practices to ensure maximum vitality and effectiveness.

Nursery
The nursery specializes in open-pollinated, regionally adapted seeds, emphasizing biodiversity and resilience. Inspired by Ireland’s fertile lands and self-sustaining traditions, the team cultivates heirloom varieties focused on flavor, adaptability, and sustainability. Trained with the Gaia Foundation and Irish Seed Savers, they work to preserve heritage crops and promote seed sovereignty through community seed swaps and education.

Contact

Website: www.therockballymacavany.ie
Instagram: @therockballymac
Email: helena.husinec@gmail.com
Phone: 0831502239

Donegal Sea Salt:

At Donegal Sea Salt, they believe that nature knows best. They work in harmony with the environment to produce a salt that delivers a bold, punchy flavor from their coast to your table. Their sea salt is hand-harvested, sun-dried, and free from chemical additives, ensuring a natural and sustainable product that speaks for itself.

Donegal Sea Salt is redefining sustainable salt production in Ireland. Harvested on the shores of Mulroy Bay, their Atlantic sea salt is created through natural wind and solar evaporation, with no boiling or additives involved.

Wherever the tide takes you, you can enjoy the taste of Donegal.

Check them out here

Love a Little:

Susan McLaughlin began making Dessert Sauces from her home kitchen just over a year ago, and since then, her business has grown steadily. With a lifelong passion for food whether baking or cooking she decided to create a job doing what she loves after returning to Donegal from Dublin. She lives on the Inishowen Peninsula along the Wild Atlantic Way, near Malin Head at Ireland’s most northerly point, which alone would have been enough to keep her there.

Since participating in the Supervalu Food Academy Programme, Susan has gained invaluable knowledge about the food retail industry, supported by encouragement and guidance. The programme has shown her that hard work pays off, with Supervalu providing ongoing support to help bring her product to store shelves. Her focus is on success, and the academy’s goal is to help producers thrive.

With her business expanding, Susan now has the capacity to employ others, which brings her a great sense of achievement. Giving back to charities and supporting local causes are also important, as community and local engagement are increasingly vital in today’s world.

She emphasizes the importance of health, environment, and sustainability. Her products are made with all-natural ingredients, free from additives and preservatives, using high-quality components such as cream from Donegal Creameries and Kerrygold butter. The sauces are gluten-free, making them suitable for those with gluten intolerance.

Recognizing the need for environmental responsibility, Susan uses sustainable packaging, including 100% recyclable jars. She believes that what’s good for the environment benefits everyone, and each individual can make a positive impact.

For more information, visit: https://www.lovealittle.ie/

Donegal Natural Soap Company:

The Donegal Natural Soap Company was founded in 2010 when Isobels son, then aged 2 years, was at the peak of a painful battle with atopic eczema. In her search for relief and healing treatments, she began to research the products they used daily and their ingredients.

With a childhood steeped in nature and foraging, it soon became clear that environmental factors play a key role in skin health. She realized that a lasting solution for her family had to start at home, with natural products. Recognizing that skin is the body's largest organ, its greatest defence, and that how we support it is essential to skin vitality, she aimed to create products that nurture and protect.

Isobel Sangha, the founder of The Donegal Natural Soap Company, graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering. A lingering desire to work in the medical field led her to undertake an MSc in Bioengineering at Trinity College Dublin. After graduating, she gained valuable experience working in medical device research and development, as well as clinical research. It was during this time that she acquired expertise in design, quality, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing skills that would later support her in establishing her natural soap business.

Designed with purpose and a holistic approach to both person and environment, Isobel’s products focus on helping people feel comfortable in their own skin by choosing ingredients dedicated to this goal. She remains inspired by nature, always looking to find solutions for her family’s health and well-being, often foraging in hedgerows or identifying wildflowers and herbs.

The company has grown steadily, buoyed by positive feedback from loyal customers who keep returning, affirming the quality and effectiveness of her products.

Read more at: https://donegalnaturalsoap.ie/