This message in St. Luke’s gospel   is as alive and relevant today as when Jesus spoke it.

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust”. — Gertrude Jekyll

An Gairdin Beo continues to proclaim this same message.

The vision of An Gairdin Beo is in tune with gospel values, and is also expressed by Pope Francis in his encyclical  Laudato Si.

Here in this Living Garden (An Gairdin Beo) we find a space where diverse people can connect more to nature, to the growing and making of food, and to one another.

The ethos is based on an ecological orientation, on valuing diversity, sustainability, organic methods and indigenous species.  It recognises that we, as humans, are part of nature too. It is committed to the preservation and protection of the site as a green area, for the greatest diversity of life possible.

During 2018 the vision and ethos of the garden continues to become a reality at all levels.

 The following is a short summary of recent developments:

•  The two existing buildings on the two acres site have a new face-lift. The big building has been renovated in a sustainable fashion with the help of Co Carlow Development Partnership, under LEADER + and the support of the South Central Province.
• The smaller building has been made user friendly through the many talents and hard work of the committee and volunteers. It is a very old stone building which was originally a stable and is now renamed The Stables.

 

 

Thyme Path and Orchard

• Work on the therapeutic /contemplative /restorative area is still in progress. The native Irish Tree Grove area is in place and provides space for quiet time. The thyme path which winds its way through the Irish heritage orchard area invites us to contemplation. The wild flower meadow is a haven for biodiversity.
• Plans are in place for further development at the entrance to the therapeutic garden which we hope will set the scene for the contemplative journey in this area.
• Students from the local secondary schools avail of the garden space for their scientific studies and have plans for developing the biodiversity aspects of the garden.

Cob Oven

• The cob oven is now complete and is a great attraction for our many celebrations during the year. It also provides an opportunity to cook the food organically grown in the garden.

We provided additional raised beds this year in response to the demand for growing areas.

A potato festival was held in the garden and provided an opportunity for many young people to have the experience of planting potatoes. This will culminate in an event showing and displaying the many and varied tasty ways that potatoes can be cooked and served. It is also an opportunity to revisit our traditional potato dishes.

Our policy is zero waste. Composting and recycling are ongoing.

Many artistic creations have been made from left over pieces e.g. nesting boxes, bat boxes, rustic chairs, mini Irish cottages .

Nesting Box

Many of our volunteer committee members received an award at the Volunteer Awards Day.

The community Café has proved to be a big success this year. It takes place once a week during the months of June, July, and August. Tea, Coffee and Homemade Juices are served with Home Baking and our Organic Garden Vegetables are on sale.

The renovation of the surrounding stone wall of the garden is our next project.

Coming Events

Carlow Youth services are planning their celebration of 30 years in existence in September

Harvest Festival

• Fibromyalgia workshop
• Integration Forum- intercultural celebration
• Meditation
• Street Fest
• Ecology Workshops
• Fundraising

“At the end, we will find ourselves face to face with the infinite beauty of God (cf. 1 Cor  13:12) , and be able to read with admiration and happiness the mystery of the universe, which with us will share in unending plenitude”   Laudato Si’ 243

Mary Carmody rsm & Bernie O’Rourke rsm
South Central Province