Tag Archives: Irish Seed Savers

AN EAST Clare non profit seed bank has branched out to Áras an Uachtaráin after presenting president Michael D Higgins with a special tree in memory of his dog. Irish Seed Savers Association received the presidential seal of approval recently after a Lough Key Crab tree was planted at Áras an Uachtaráin in memory of the beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Bród owned by President Higgins and his wife, Sabina. President Higgins expressed his gratitude for the meaningful gesture from the Irish Seed Savers Association, emphasising the importance of preserving Ireland’s agricultural heritage. The planting of the Lough Key Crab tree at Áras an Uachtaráin serves as a poignant tribute to Bród and contributes to the protection of Ireland’s apple tree heritage. Four members of the ISSA attended the planting ceremony including Communications Development Co-ordinator, Gillian Lattimore, Executive Director, Elaine Bradley, Orchard Team members, Marie Collins, Scariff, and Anne English. Áras an Uachtaráin Head Gardener, Robert Norris showed the ISSA the …

TWO Clare projects feature in a new book celebrating the value of our diverse cultural heritage.  Both The X-PO in Kilnaboy and Irish Seed Savers in Scariff are documented among 15 case studies from all around Ireland, as examples of best-practice in sharing and promoting cultural heritage. They feature in the book entitled Other Stories – Cultural Heritage and Society, which was launched at Irish Seed Savers in Capparoe.  The publication was commissioned by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Ireland, whose aim is to foster appreciation of cultural heritage on the national and international stage. The Scariff venue is one of five chosen for a special Book Launch Tour.  ICOMOS Ireland commissioned the research and advocacy project in 2018, inspired by The Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage to Society.  The history of the X-PO, since its foundation by artist Deirdre O’Mahony in 2008, is described in detail in the book. From …

THERE are many Heritage Week events still to enjoy in county Clare over the coming four days, a selection of which we will round up here. In Scariff, Irish Seed Savers will host an exciting ‘Food Heritage for Biodiversity’ event on Sunday (August 21), from 11am to 5pm. ‘Sustainable Heritage’ and ‘Biodiversity’ are the themes for this year’s National Heritage Week and in exploring this further Irish Seed Savers have lined up a series of talks, tours and tastings which aim to deepen our connection with Ireland’s food crop heritage, natural environment and biodiversity. A Biodiversity Treasure Hunt for children will take place at 1pm and 3pm and live traditional music throughout day to accompany the schedule of events: 11am Seed Saving Demonstration with Deirdre Morrissey, Seed Curator at Irish Seed Savers 12am Guided Orchard, Log Bee Hive Tour & Heritage Apple Tasting 1pm Growing & Saving Seed for Biodiversity Walking Tour with Tristan Lienhard, Head Gardener at Irish Seed …

THE highly popular seed swapping events return to Scariff on Sunday next (March 6), offering an opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to the promotion of biodiversity.  A Community Seed Exchange will be hosted by Irish Seed Savers at its leafy gardens in Capparoe. The event will run over two time-slots, starting at 12pm and again at 2pm, and will present the chance to for individuals, families, gardening and community groups to come together to share and swap seeds. Those intending to join are invited to bring any spare or saved seeds to share and swap with other growers. From the rare to the everyday varieties all kinds of seeds are welcome. This event will help promote biodiversity and, through the sharing seeds, a more resilient food system is created. Irish Seed Savers is delighted to be able to open to in-person visits and events, after the restrictions that the pandemic brought. “The past two years have really highlighted …

SCARIFF is reaching out to communities across the country, thanks to Irish Seed Savers who are to become ‘Seed Guardians’ for ten projects around Ireland. Under a new initiative, Seed Savers is to provide training and mentoring in seed-growing and seed-saving to ten community gardens from as far afield Kildare, Leitrim, Dublin and Mayo. Support will be provided by experienced facilitators, who will guide the projects through the steps to enhance seed supply and reduce reliance on food seed imports to grow their own produce. The organisation believes that by supporting communities to grow and save their own food seed, it will improve overall access to seed and foster greater community engagement with the full food supply chain, from seed to plate. The ten community gardens groups chosen to participate in the Community Seed Guardian Programme are: Mud Island Community Garden, Dublin; Monart Farm, Wexford; Kildare Town Community Garden, Kildare; Millenium Community Garden, Tipperary; Gairdín Gortahork, Donegal; Rossinver Community Garden, …

COMMUNITIES across Ireland are being encouraged to grow and save their own seed together in a major new programme being launched by Scariff-based, Irish Seed Savers Association. The Community Seed Guardians Programme is a training and mentoring programme for communities across the country to grow and save their own food seed. The programme was developed with funding received through Rethink Ireland’s Innovate Together programme, which was established in response to Covid-19 to build resilience in communities. With growing awareness of climate change and fear over the limitations in the food supply chain brought into focus by the pandemic, the Guardian Programme will work with established community gardening groups to reduce Ireland’s reliance on imported food and food seed. Training community growing groups to grow and save their own food seed will increase access to seed availability and create greater community engagement with the full food supply from seed to plate. “We are excited to be given this support by Rethink …

FUNDING crises, climate change the Covid-19 are among the challenges faced and overcome by the conservation organisation, Irish Seed Savers, over almost a quarter of a century in Clare. The centre in Scariff has just re-opened to the public from Tuesdays to Saturdays, after coronavirus forced it to limit access over the summer months. Because it is a farm, Seed Savers was designated an essential service, and work continued throughout the lockdown and beyond, in order to build up seed banks and respond to a huge rise in public demand for its stocks. “We had re-opened to the public on Saturdays only, from July,” said Jennifer McConnell, General Manager of the facility. “From September 1, we opened five days a week for the public. During lockdown, because of our designation, we were working away with outdoor staff coming in for staggered hours, in accordance with our Covid-19 plan. We’ve had a very busy time, with a 220% increase in demand …