A former pub and dancehall in West Mayo is set for a remarkable transformation into an organic gardening school and edible landscape project.
The building, once known as The Way Inn, located between Mulranny and Achill Island, is being redeveloped as Tilled Earth, a new centre dedicated to teaching people how to grow their own food, fruit, herbs and medicinal plants.
The project is the vision of renowned organic gardener and author Klaus Laitenberger, alongside his wife Joanna Laitenberger and their family.
“We want to show people that growing food is something everyone can do,” said Klaus. “It connects us with the earth, with the seasons and with the food we eat.”
From mid-June, Tilled Earth will open for pre-booked tours, workshops and educational visits, welcoming gardening clubs, schools, retirement groups, community organisations and those interested in therapeutic horticulture.
Visitors will learn practical skills in growing vegetables, fruit, herbs, edible flowers and medicinal plants, with the aim of helping more people create productive and sustainable gardens at home.
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The site itself has a rich local history. For decades, The Way Inn served as a vibrant social hub for the surrounding community, hosting music, dancing and gatherings, while also operating as a shop and post office.
Now, the former dancehall is taking on a new role as a classroom for gardening courses and community learning.
A major part of the vision is the creation of what the family hopes will become a “Garden of a Thousand Edible Plants” over the next five years. The ambitious project will showcase a diverse range of crops from around the world.
Klaus, whose book Vegetables for the Irish Garden has sold more than 25,000 copies, is a well-known figure in Irish horticulture. Joanna runs the family’s online seed company, Green Vegetable Seeds, which supplies gardeners across Ireland.
Their son, Thien Laitenberger, a Ballymaloe-trained chef, will also play a key role, preparing seasonal meals using produce harvested directly from the garden for visitors attending courses and group events.
“Cooking straight from the garden brings a freshness and flavour you simply cannot buy,” he said.
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The family has already undertaken significant restoration work on the property, including the renovation of the original 120-year-old stone dwelling, the construction of a traditional red-brick walled garden, and the installation of a Victorian-style orangery greenhouse.
A nearby river and extensive planting will also help create a haven for wildlife.
At a time when many people are seeking to reconnect with nature, Klaus believes gardening offers an important antidote to modern life.
“Growing food slows us down and reconnects us with nature,” he said. “When you plant a seed and watch it grow, it brings a sense of calm and perspective.”
The family hopes Tilled Earth will become one of Ireland’s most inspiring edible gardens, combining food production, biodiversity and beauty in one unique Mayo setting.
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