Community growing representatives from across Ireland recently gathered at Ballybane Community Resource Centre in Galway City to officially launch the third National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.
Over 50 gardening enthusiasts attended the launch which was part of Community Gardens Ireland’s Autumn Gathering of Community Growers.
The event was co-funded by the European Union’s Cohesion Policy Funds and the Government of Ireland and supported by Galway City Partnership through SICAP and HSE programmes.
Attendees heard from a panel including Isabella Flynn, a new allotment holder at Merlin Woods Allotment and advocate for food literacy in schools, Aine Hickey, long-term member of Westside Community Gardens, and Tiernan McCusker, Climate Action Officer with Galway City Council. Aine Hickey recalled how forty years ago the Westside estate did not have roads connecting it to the main road and how community campaigning led to the creation of essential services including a credit union a creche and a community garden which remain today.
The day included a tour of Ballybane Organic Community Garden one of the oldest in Galway city, a biodiversity walk through Merlin Woods and a visit to Merlin Woods Community Garden which has built a hazel wattle and daub amphitheatre over two years working two hours a week.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Galway City Cllr Alan Cheevers said community gardens and allotments support biodiversity healthy living self-sufficiency and community gatherings. He added that Galway City Council is committed to facilitating existing projects and providing additional spaces where possible.
Faozia Moqbel of Galway City Partnership and Deputy Lord Mayor of Galway City Cllr Alan Cheevers
Molly Garvey co-chair of Community Gardens Ireland said the event encourages more people to get involved and every community deserves a place to grow. Faozia Moqbel of Galway City Partnership said Galway’s community growing initiatives are thriving and bring people together from all walks of life.
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