On Saturday 14^th October 2023, the Lord Mayor of Cork officially launched the inaugural National Allotments and Community Gardens Week at The Glen Community Garden in Cork City.

Community Gardens Ireland, a volunteer national organisation who support community growers across the country, are the organisers behind Irelands first ever National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.

Over 40 community growers from all over Ireland attended the launch at the Autumn Gathering of Community Growers, which was held at The Glen Community Garden and Togher Community Garden in Cork City.

The theme for the 2023 National Allotments and Community Gardens Week is “Growing with Nature.”

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.

Speaking at today’s launch, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, said:

“National Allotments and Community Gardens are spaces of sanctuaries for both mental health and biodiversity. It is important that Cork remains at the forefront of this community movement. Indeed, there is an onus on all local authorities all over Ireland to provide more of these essential community spaces.”

“Their multiplication is important to meeting the needs of Climate Action by partnering together in a collegiate manner with grassroots resident’s groups and a myriad of volunteers. There is also a strong lifelong learning vibe with the allotments and community gardens movement especially around areas of growing organic food and developing community food projects and policies”.

Dónal McCormack, Chairperson of Community Gardens Ireland said:

“Community Gardens Ireland are delighted that the Lord Mayor of Cork has launched the first ever National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.”. 

“Community Gardens and Allotments provide an easy way for communities to carry out local climate and biodiversity friendly actions. These spaces also clearly help contribute towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

“Our vision is for every community in Ireland to have access to a space to grow. At the gathering today it is amazing to see the work performed in Togher Community Garden and the Glen Community Garden, along with the passion that Cork has for urban growing spaces.” 

“We hope that this week provides momentum for more of these amazing spaces to be set up throughout the country and for communities to continue to grow with nature.” 

Maria Young Coordinator of Green Spaces for Health and Togher Community Garden said:

“Momentum is growing across Cork City and County and further afield for communities to come together to grow food. In two years alone the number of community gardens across Cork City has increased from 18 to 26.”

“The potential for building resilient, sustainable communities, in biodiverse rich public sites is well underway and proving a resounding success”. 

Ellie Donovan, Community Gardening Tutor with Cork ETB and Secretary of Community Gardens Ireland said:

“We were thrilled to have so many community gardeners from around the country in Cork to launch the first National Community Gardens and Allotments Week. The Glen Community Garden has been at the heart of the community since 2009, so it was fantastic that community gardeners from all over Ireland had the opportunity to experience their warm welcome. We are very grateful to the Lord Mayor for sharing this special occasion with us.”

National Allotments and Community Gardens Week continues until Saturday 21^st October 2023, with over 25 community-led events available on the Community Gardens Ireland website: