Wicklow man helps launch National Allotments Week

Over 50 gardening enthusiasts from all over Ireland attended the launch which was part of CGI's Autumn gathering of community growers.

Attendees heard from a panel of experts in the field of healthy soil, including Dr. Aoibhin Moore Heslin, soil expert and education and research officer at Airfield Estate; Craig Benton from Composting Ireland; and Conan Connolly, Siolta Croí, a Monaghan based project.

Community Gardens Ireland, a volunteer national organisation who support community growers across the country, are the organisers behind Ireland's second ever National Allotments and Community Gardens Week. The week-long national event is taking place to raise awareness of allotments and community gardens, to highlight how important they are and to detail the huge benefits of community gardening for communities, individuals, and the environment.

The national week of events continues to grow in strength and for 2024 is co-funded by the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform and the European Union through Irelands Cohesion Policy Funds.

The theme for the 2024 National Allotments and Community Gardens Week is 'Healthy Soil' and community groups throughout Ireland have organised events to celebrate and demonstrate how they are helping to sustain and nurture life in the soil.

Dónal McCormack, Chairperson of Community Gardens Ireland and also of the Blessington Allotments campaign, said: "Community Gardens Ireland are delighted that the Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoighaire-Rathdown, Cllr Jim O'Leary has joined us to launch the 2024 National Allotments and Community Gardens week.

"Dún Laoighaire-Rathdown is an area that has seen the benefit in local food projects. We also wish to thank all at Airfield Estate for hosting Saturday's gathering of community growers, we have all seen first-hand how committed they are to local sustainable food production and healthy soil initiatives.

"All of us at Community Gardens Ireland are hopeful that the number of community gardens and allotments across Ireland will continue to grow and that National Allotments and Community Gardens week will help encourage more people to get involved. Every community deserves a place to grow."

Gavin Kenny, Airfield Estate's Head Gardener, said: "We are delighted to host the National Gathering of Community Gardens. It is fitting as we recently opened our community garden, just one of the steps we are taking to achieve our ambition to be Dublin's sustainable food hub and connect people to where their food comes from.

"We can already see the impact it is having on teaching people about growing and creating a real sense of community with all walks of life getting involved."