Living Wild: Brian Hoey’s Mesolithic Diet Challenge

In May 2025, Dromintee man Brian Hoey—founder of Mountain Ways Ireland, foraging teacher, and community herbalist—embarked on a remarkable journey: he lived entirely on wild and foraged foods for the entire month.

Brian took part in Wild Biome 2, a global research project led by renowned research herbalist and author Mo Wilde. With just over 100 participants worldwide, and only seven from Ireland, Brian proudly represented South Armagh in this groundbreaking study. Participants ranged from Hawaii to a winner of the hit survival show Alone.

The project explored how ancestral diets—specifically those of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers—impact human health. Unlike the Neolithic farmers who built the megalithic monuments that dot the Slieve Gullion landscape, Mesolithic people lived entirely off the land, long before agriculture began. Brian’s diet reflected this ancient lifestyle, reconnecting him with nature in a deeply meaningful way.

A Year of Preparation
Brian’s commitment began long before May. Drawing on his deep knowledge of ethnobotany, he spent the previous year foraging, collecting, and preserving wild foods. His Mesolithic-inspired diet excluded all cultivated vegetables, dairy, farmed meat or fish, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, wheat, barley, and sugar. The only sweetener allowed was honey—and even that was strictly rationed.

Coastal foods played a vital role. Seaweeds, wild fish, and shellfish provided essential minerals, healthy fats, and protein. While wild bird eggs were once a staple for hunter-gatherers, modern laws prohibit their collection, so Brian limited himself to four organic hen eggs per week.

Despite a poor harvest of acorns, hazelnuts, and chestnuts the previous year, Brian managed to preserve a small supply—critical for sustaining him through the month.

Challenges and Creativity
One of Brian’s first challenges was his birthday, which fell just days into the Wild Biome commitment. With no flour, sugar, butter, or chocolate, traditional cake was off the menu. Instead, he crafted a celebratory recipe using foraged berries, greens, nuts, and a touch of honey.

Balancing this lifestyle with modern demands—work, travel, and being away from home—was no small feat. Yet Brian remained confident, believing he would not only survive but thrive. May’s abundance of wild spring greens and herbs offered plenty of nutritious, seasonal options.

Scientific Monitoring
Before, during, and after May, Brian underwent extensive testing by the University of Bradford (UK) and the University of Rzeszów (Poland). These tests measured microbiome diversity, body composition, blood pressure, blood sugar, thyroid function, hormone levels, diabetes risk, inflammation markers, cholesterol, and vitamin and mineral levels. His results will be compared with other participants and a control group to assess the health impacts of wild diets.

A Message from Brian
Brian sees this project as a vital opportunity—not to reject modern life, but to reflect on how far we’ve drifted from sustainable living:
“This project is of international scientific importance, but it’s not about returning to a pre-agricultural bushcraft existence. I think everyone can see that things can’t continue the way they are. Both we and the land are getting sicker. Our grandparents farmed and ate organically before the word existed. They reused and recycled before it was a thing. There wasn’t an abundance of anything to reduce either.
It wasn’t all roses, but we could learn a lot from a couple of generations past—never mind the Mesolithic. My own lifestyle isn’t perfect, but the starting point is recognising the harm we’re doing to the earth.”

Brian also emphasised the importance of community and expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him. He welcomes further help with resources such as wild-caught fish, shellfish, wild game, local organic free-range eggs, and honey.
📧 Contact Brian: [email protected]

Join Brian for Foraging in the Foothills, a unique experience where you’ll learn about edible “weeds” and medicinal wild plants once used by our ancestors. This immersive workshop takes place on his species-rich hill farm nestled in the stunning Ring of Gullion landscape as part of the Ring of Gullion Autumn Festival.