Earth Day in Louth at Muirhevnamor Community Gardens

Muirhevnamor Allotments and Community Garden recently celebrated and highlighted Earth Day and plot holders shared their thoughts on what Earth Day and the allotments, at Hoey’s Lane in Dundalk, Co Louth, mean to them.

For Seamus Ward, Earth Day "means looking after the earth and the ground you are cultivating.  The soil will only give you what you put into it."

He said: “My allotment is a place to relax, it is my therapy and a place to communicate with fellow allotment holders.  It means fresh veg and there is nothing like picking a fresh scallion from the ground. You can’t buy that taste in a shop. It could be sitting in the shop a week plus so much is now wrapped in plastic. I'm 76 years of age and this allotment keeps me alive”.

Joanne Connolly said the allotment project has come to her "with sweet timing". She said: “We are a trio on our patch and this has created so much ‘can do’ , sharing the know-how and muddling through! 

"I am grateful that as a family we are involved in a community project. The simplicity , care and effort of growing food is tangible. There is a wonderful sense of community, support and sharing in the space. This is a remarkable thing in life. I am grateful”.

Eileen Carter said her the allotment means "food for the body, food for the spirit and for the soul and meeting and sharing with lovely people". She said: “Earth Day means appreciating our planet and helping it in any small way one can”.

And for Carlo Cristini, Earth Day means "staying connected to the land and living in a way that represents nature". He said: “It reminds me of home, good food, family and the sense of community that comes caring for the earth together. It’s all about living sustainably and giving back to what gives us so much. 

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“The allotment is a space where you can slow down, get your hands in the dirt and feel connected to something real. It’s about growing food but also peace of mind, patience and connection with the small natural miracles happening every day. It’s my little patch of paradise”.

For more information see Facebook – Muirhevnamor Allotments and Community Garden, also on Instagram.