Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Alan Cheevers joined community growing representatives from across the island of Ireland, as well as the Community Gardens Ireland (CGI) committee at Ballybane Community Resource Centre on Sunday12th October 2025, to officially launch the third ever National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.

Over 50 gardening enthusiasts from all over Ireland attended the launch which was part of CGI’s Autumn Gathering of Community Growers. The event on Sunday was co-funded by EU’s Cohesion Policy Funds and the Government of Ireland, and supported by Galway City Partnership (SICAP and HSE Programmes).

Attendees heard from a panel sharing growing experience and supports, including: Isabella Flynn, new allotment holder at Merlin Woods Allotment and keen advocate for food literacy in schools; Áine Hickey, long-term member of Westside Community Gardens; and Tiernan McCusker, Climate Action Officer with Galway City Council.

Aine shared that forty years ago, the newly built Westside housing estate did not even have roads connecting the newly established community to the main road. As a result of community campaigning, essential services such as a credit union, a creche, and a community garden, were created and remain until this day.

The day included a tour of Ballybane Community Garden, one of the oldest in Galway city, a biodiversity walk through Merlin Woods, and a tour of the Merlin Woods Community Garden, which has built a hazel, wattle and daub amphitheatre over two years, two hours a week.

Community Gardens Ireland, a national voluntary organisation who support community growers across the country, are the organisers behind Ireland’s third ever National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.

The week-long national event aims to raise awareness of allotments and community gardens, highlight their importance, and demonstrate the huge benefits community growing has for communities, individuals, and the environment.

The theme for the 2025 National Allotments and Community Gardens Week is “Growing Together” and community groups throughout Ireland are invited to hold events this week in collaboration with other groups in their area. All events held are eligible to compete for the prize of a heritage fruit tree bundle, courtesy of English’s Fruit Nursery, Co. Wexford. To enter, the event must be shared with Community Gardens Ireland by email (info@cgireland.org) or by tagging @communitygardensireland . The draw will be held and the winner announced at the end of this week.

Speaking at Sunday’s launch, Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway Cllr Alan Cheevers said:

“In my capacity as Deputy Mayor of City of Galway, I am glad to welcome Community Gardens Ireland and all joining today to this Annual Gathering and the Launch of National Community Gardens and Allotments Week 2025.”

“We in Galway City acknowledge the role community gardens and allotments play in the interconnected health of our communities, environment and city. Community gardens and allotments are public green spaces which support high levels of biodiversity, increased self-sufficiency, healthy living practices, and community gatherings across all generations.”

“Recognising these benefits, Galway City Council has committed to facilitate existing community growing projects as well as provide additional spaces, subject to Council approval (Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029, pp. 143).”

“I commend Faozia Moqbel of Galway City Partnership, and Ballybane Community Resource Centre, for bringing this all-island event to our city and I trust that you will have an enjoyable and insightful day.”

“It is now my great honour to official launch National Community Gardens and Allotments Week 2025.”

Molly Garvey, Co-Chairperson of Community Gardens Ireland said:

“Community Gardens Ireland are delighted that the Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway Cllr Alan Cheevers has joined us to launch the 2025 National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.”

“Galway City is a city that has seen the benefit in local food projects. We also wish to thank all at Ballybane Community Resource Centre and the Let’s Get Galway Growing Project for hosting Sunday’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!”

Faozia Moqbel said, “We are delighted to host the National Gathering of Community Gardens Ireland. Galway’s community growing initiatives are thriving, and our Let’s Get Galway Growing Project will continue to support the six-community garden network and beyond. We can already see the positive impact — people learning, sharing, and growing together, while building a real sense of community that brings people from all walks of life together,”
 
National Allotments and Community Gardens Week continues until Sunday 19th October 2025, with information on over 25 events taking place nationwide available on Instagram and facebook @communitygardensireland

Photo credits: Colin Stanley