GrowAllot winners receive ‘keys’ to new allotments

TEN lucky locals recently won allotment spaces in the Bohernabreena Allotments, in an initiative led by Firhouse businesswoman Feebee Foran.

Feebee, who has her own natural skincare brand called Forager, spearheaded the initiative called GrowAllot to encourage people to grow their own produce.

The idea was well received, as it usually takes around four years to be allocated an allotment in the county due to lengthy waiting lists and high demand.

People applied to be considered for the GrowAllot scheme and they detailed what difference having an allotment would make to them.

The winners were announced at a launch event in the Bohernabreena Allotments on April 27, where they received the ‘keys’ to their new allotment beds.

One of the winners, Eamonn Kelly from Rathfarnham, said: “Winning a GrowAllot bed means so much to me especially as it’s based in Bohernabreena where my daughter Masie is buried.

“It gives me great comfort to be able to work the land nearby and to show my other daughter Mollie where her food comes from.

“When I grew up in the countryside, my parents always grew fruit and vegetables which we enjoyed at the kitchen table every day.

“My own garden doesn’t allow the space to pursue this passion, so I’m delighted to get growing.”

Fellow winner Olga Willoughby from Tallaght is also excited to start growing produce in her allotment and is hoping it will help her mental health.

“I applied for a GrowAllot bed to start a very exciting adventure,” she said.

“Over the past four years, I’ve suffered panic attacks and anxiety following the loss of my dear mum.

“I find that being in nature and pottering in the outdoors helps me feel so much more relaxed.

“I’m so excited to plant my strawberries and potatoes and for all the fun we’ll have in the allotments.”

Eimear Bradford from Rathfarnham said she hopes her allotment will give her a release from stressful work life and allow her to indulge in her passion for growing plants.

“To me growing plants is the adult version of kids getting extra sweets!” she enthused.

“I work in healthcare, so my brain is constantly on the go. Having a project like this allows me to turn everything off and focus purely on the task and nothing else.

“The usual daily stresses go out the window when I’m planting flowers.

“I live in an apartment with a dark balcony, so getting to enjoy my favourite hobby has taken a back seat, but now I’m going to have a space to plant my seeds and watch them thrive in the allotment!

“I’m also excited that I get to share the veggies I grow with my friends and the people I work with.”

The scheme aligns with Feebee’s belief that everyone should have access to soil and an ability to grow their own produce, and she’s a proponent of the positive effect it can have on mental health.

“This campaign is very dear to my heart,” explained Feebee.

“After the loss of my dad following an 11-day fight with cancer, I found solace in the earth – working with the soil is what helped me feel grounded and I know firsthand just how that can positively affect your mental health.

“To me, everyone should have access to a little bit of soil that they can grow their own food in, all while creating a fantastic community with sharing, kindness and fun at its heart.

“Since launching the campaign, I’ve been inundated with messages from people living in all corners of Ireland asking me to bring GrowAllot to their town.

“It’s my goal to make GrowAllot a nationwide campaign.”

Each allotment bed has been provided by Timbertrove, along with a potting bench and vegetable trug, while Lidl have provided each of the winners with essential growing tools for their allotments.

GrowAllot was developed by Feebee Foran with Bohernabreena Allotments and with the support of Lidl, GIY and Timbertrove.