The Orchard Way takes root in Rathcoole Park with community planting event

WATCH:

Local Tidy Towns groups and school students put their green fingers to the test alongside the Irish Seed Savers Association on Wednesday morning for the launch of The Orchard Way in Rathcoole Park.

The three groups are making a collaborative effort to arrange the planting of organic Irish Heritage Irish Providence Apple Trees over the course of three days on November 4, 5 and 9 for the launch of the community-focused initiative.

The programme is designed to bring biodiversity back into everyday spaces by combining the planting of small pollinator-friendly orchards with a wider network of heritage apple trees distributed across gardens, schools, shared green areas and community spaces.

This year’s campaign kicked off bright and early on Wednesday morning with Rathcoole Tidy Towns beginning the tree planting by the rose garden in Rathcoole Park.

Later in the day, members of Saggart Tidy Towns made their way to Carrigmore Park for the tree planting ceremony before Tymon Park hosted Templeogue Tidy Towns’ tree planting event.

Mayor Cllr. Francis Timmons attended Wednesday morning’s event to launch the initiative alongside members of the community.

Mayor Timmons touched on the positive impact of this campaign and the significance of SDCC’s involvement.

“I’m delighted we will plant 15 Irish Providence fruit trees from Irish Seed Savers. This is very positive, and I am delighted South Dublin County Council is part of this national campaign.”

At Tymon Park, 17 trees were planted by the dedicated team to create a thriving orchard which will thrive for years to come.

SDCC’s Climate Change and Environmental Awareness Officer, Lorraine Byrne, attended Tymon Park’s Orchard Way Initiative alongside Tidy Towns representatives from Templeogue, Rathfarnham and Knocklyon, who came together to plant heritage apple trees “to support biodiversity” in the county.

By creating a wider network of heritage apple trees across the wider area, each tree helps to support pollinators, encourages wildlife movement and rebuilds ecological connections that have been lost over time.

The project encourages participation through nature and inspires individuals to actively contribute to nature by planting, learning, and caring for these spaces in a meaningful and lasting way.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme