“We are really proud of the Community Garden. It has achieved a Green Flag in the Communities and Parks category for the past two years”
The Ballaghaderreen Community Garden has continued to develop since it was first established in 2017 thanks to a generous invitation from the late John Duffy, who offered growers a space at his SuperValu store.
Maria Fleming, a native of Gotland in Sweden, is a member of the committee and she says the garden has become a hive of activity in recent years.
“We had problems getting a site but John Duffy, who has since sadly passed away, visited our own garden at home. He offered us a piece of land next to SuperValu. It’s really good because it’s in such a central location,” she said.
Maria, who has developed an impressive garden (check out thegreenerdream.com) at the home she shares with partner and fellow Community Garden member, Paul Cole, first arrived in Ballaghaderreen in 2004, moving to Ireland on account of the good climate for growing.
“We are really proud of the Community Garden. It has achieved a Green Flag in the Communities and Parks category for the past two years. Every time the judges visit in the summer they are very impressed with it,” she said.
The garden is tended to by a number of local community groups including ‘Ballagh Project’, members of the Pakistani and Syrian communities and those taking part in community service.
“The playschool used to have a bed here too when it was open and we also gave some classes to Transition Year students from St. Nathy’s College,” she said.
“We have a very multicultural community here and the garden is open to everyone in line with SuperValu opening hours”.
All those involved in the community garden are volunteers and Maria says it’s a labour of love for members.
“We have around six or seven people on the committee and probably up to 20 people who come in and grow too. It is all done voluntarily and it’s important that people remember it’s for the whole community of Ballaghaderreen and to respect it,” she said.
“People are always welcome to come in and we still have a number of beds outside. It’s definitely a place for everyone and we hope more and more people will use it”.
You can learn more about the Ballaghaderreen Community Garden or get involved by visiting the group’s Facebook page.
