Muck and magic in Ballymun

THERE
was plenty of muck and a little bit of magic in Ballymun during the recent open
day at a local community garden.

Set
up by the Ballymun Garden Club in association with Global Action Plan the Muck
and Magic Community Garden is proving to be a big success, so much so that it
was decided to showcase the project with a special open day on August 24.

The
garden is one of the initiatives undertaken by Ballymun Garden Club, which have
opened its gates to everyone in the community who’s keen to learn how to grow
food in an organic, sustainable way.

Dublin
City Council granted the club temporary use of a site for the garden where
raised vegetable beds have been planted. The harvest of organic vegetables and
herbs is shared and enjoyed by all participants in the club.

Dublin
Lord Mayor, Andrew Montague, was on hand to launch the open day and was
suitably impressed by what he saw.

“I
am really pleased to attend this event as I have been attempting to grow my own
fruit and vegetables for the past three years and hope to learn a few useful
tips,

? he said.

“The
Ballymun Garden Club shows what a group of like-minded people can achieve when
they work together to share knowledge and skills to promote organic gardening
and encourage residents to produce their own food. I wish them every success in
the future.

?

CEO
of Global Action Plan, Vanessa Moore, said the Ballymun Garden Club had gone
from strength to strength in a short period of time.

“It
just shows how much can be achieved when residents come together for a common
goal,

? she continued.

“The
Muck and Magic garden is a wonderful place where local residents can come
together, and share practical garden skills and knowledge in a relaxed and
informal way.

?

The
Ballymun Garden Club is the first such club set up in the area and the existing
members are actively encouraging locals to come along to their monthly meetings
held in the local neighbourhood centres.

The
club hosts various activities and workshops on a variety of garden skills such
as plant propagation and also invites guest speakers to give talks on various
garden or biodiversity related topics.

?¢
For further information on Ballymun Garden Club contact Vanessa Moore of Global
Action Plan on 01-8625846 or email vanessa@globalactionplan.ie