Report by Jenny Lyons and Miren-Maialen Semper, CGI Committee members, photo credit to Baraa Albayari

This year at Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival, the Global Green Community Garden was animated by Community Gardens Ireland (CGI), connecting with initiatives from across the country to explore the diverse benefits of growing together. 

Our community space this year linked Sos Therapeutic Garden, Kilkenny; The Barna Way, Ballybunion in Kerry; Community Garden Support Northern Ireland, Mud Island Community Garden, Dublin 3; Greystones and Kilcoole Community Garden, Wicklow; IRD Duhallow, North Cork; Kerry Social Farming; Dublin Community Growers; Laois Partnership Company; O’Moore Place Allotments, Portlaoise; OURganic Gardens, Donegal; and Talamh Beo.

Community Gardens Ireland were delighted to be back at Electric Picnic 2026 at the Global Green area curated by Cultivate, a space to nourish, recharge batteries and where makers and growers connect. It was a wet and wonderful weekend, where, tucked in beside the Elements of Change Big Top Tent, was a truly co-created garden. The dedicated build and set-up crew worked throughout Wednesday and Thursday – many thanks go to Dee, Ian, Jack, Molly, Eilish, Karen, Paul, Conor, Cuba and Ellie among others who created a lush green corner within Global Green. In the months leading up to the festival, our growers had faced difficult growing conditions, like many across Ireland, losing some crops and plants, but enough made it to the Picnic with careful mulching and watering. The resulting garden was buzzing with pollinators and people for the three days of the festival!

Meghan and Lindsay May’s flower crowns were a huge success as always. Thanks to all the visitors and comrades-in-plants who did our crafts; crowns, lavender bags, she-wees, or origami seed packets, and thanks equally to those who came and chatted. When we ran out of flowers for the flower crowns, we gave out the willow wand cuttings for free. This year we suggested a small optional donation could be made to CGI to fundraise as we improve our website. We were able to raise €146, thanks to your generosity and crafting enthusiasm!

On Saturday, the “Food System Transformation” panel took place. Facilitated by Davie Philip, speakers Joanne Fullerton from Siolta Croi, Rupa Marya from Farming is Medicine, Jenny Lyons from Sharing Solutions at Trinity College Dublin, and Thomas O’Connor from Talamh Beo together declared that community gardens are the stepping stone to agroecological action, and an antidote to the extractive industrial food system that is making us sick. Initiatives which are growing, cooking, eating and sharing food make up a vital and unseen part of our local food economies, and contribute to Irish food sovereignty.

Jenny (CGI committee member) representing Cultivate, spoke about the importance of food sharing initiatives, such as community gardens, kitchens and surplus redistribution. Rupa shared examples of GAA clubs working with gardens, to connect food, community and health. Thomas from Talamh Beo spoke about food sovereignty and the importance of building networks and alliances. We urged the audience to visit their local community garden, and to join us in our Autumn Gathering on the 10th of October in Limerick, or else to take part in our National Community Gardens and Allotment week.

Miren, our tireless social media officer, captured the energy of the festival through photos and video clips, sharing stories on social media. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook! Miren got in touch with Lynda Kiernan, a journalist from Laois Live, who visited the Community Garden and included a short piece featuring O’Moore Place Allotments (see link).

We were delighted to strengthen connections with our network, including Ellie from IRD Duhallow and the raised bed brought by the Betty and O’Moore Place Allotments crew, as well as Talamh Beo who connected the two community garden craft stalls. A highlight for all the gardeners was meeting Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, winner of the Rose of Tralee competition representing County Westmeath.

CGI’s Conor O’Kane also represented Community Gardens Ireland on a Global Green panel focused on activism and advocacy, highlighting the vital role community gardens play in fostering connection, resilience, and social change. We shared Global Green with Irish Environmental Network members like the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Self Help Africa, and the Artivist Arena, as well with the Irish Cycling campaign campaign, which underlines the strength and interconnectedness of Ireland’s environmental and activist communities, adding to the sense that this was a gathering of ideas as much as people. 

Together, we celebrated not just growing food, but growing ideas, inspiration, and action; a true reflection of what community gardening in Ireland is all about. 

This year is officially the last year of Global Green under Cultivate. Thanks to Davie Philip, Ollie Moore and Philippa Robinson from Global Green for all the support.