On meeting up with an old acquaintance a few weeks ago I sensed a feeling of fulfillment as Tony described the success of the Allotment Gardening Project , during the past year, in Tipperary Town. Tony retired from his job recently and he had a feeling of going nowhere. So when the Allotments were offered for rental by the Urban Council last Spring Tony was one of the first to apply. His wife said “it has changed his life”.  When I visited this new development some weeks ago I was really amazed at what had taken place in a few short months. I met Timmy Whyte who showed me around the garden which comprises of large, medium and small allotments.  Over the last few years” the seeds for this development had been sown but it was very slow in coming to fruition”, said Timmy. However Timmy and the staff at Knockanrawley Resource Centre believed in the dream and kept requesting the Council to provide land for this purpose.  The staff at the Organic Garden in Knockanrawley was offering gardening courses but was unable  to provide a space for the growers to develop their skills. When the Allotments were offered by the UDC people applied slowly at first but suddenly the demand grew and now there are fifty Allotments in use with a waiting list in case anyone drops out.

Mr. Ronan built a little house in the garden

“People come to their gardens when they are free”, said Mrs Ronan and she told me that she and her husband spent most of the summer there. Mr Ronan built a little house in the garden and he called it “The Little House in Tipperary”. It has two armchairs, a kettle etc and it is a meeting place  for many during the summer months. People enjoy being out in the fresh air!

Denis Guerin was digging out his potatoes

It was the sense of caring and generosity that impressed me so much. People with some knowledge of gardening were helping those who had no previous knowledge and all were full of pride in their work. Denis Guerin, from Kilross was digging out his potatoes and he offered me some vegetables,”I’ll be very offended if you don’t take some” said Denis. I came away knowing that there is  new energy and life here and surely this will spill out into the surrounding area.

Timmy Whyte is reluctant to leave his garden

Now many have harvested their crops and cleared out their gardens. Timmy Whyte and many others are setting Winter crops.

They are reluctant to leave this “special” place.  Timmy explained that although the idea of Allotments originated in Knockanrawley it has taken on a life of its own now.

Sr. Joan Madden R.I.P.

In 1986 Sr. Joan Madden R.I.P., then a member of the Knockanrawley Community, having researched the needs of the area, set up the Resource Centre beside the Sisters’ House. Joan saw the Centre develop, offering many courses for the people of the surrounding area. Joan died R.I.P. in 2000 and ten years on she is remembered by many, many people and the work she began has grown from strength to strength. Joan’s motto was that of Canon Hayes “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”. One of Joan’s hopes and dreams  was that the garden would develop and flourish and her dream has come to fruition.

Clare Gunning rsm
South Central Province