’Growing Together’’ National Community Growing Week, 11th to 18th of October 2025

By ELLIE DONOVAN

The third national Community Gardens and Allotments Week in Ireland took place from 11th to 18th of October. The event, organised by Community Gardens Ireland (CGI), is a celebration of community growing projects across the island of Ireland. CGI is a voluntary, independent, inclusive group that works with all agencies and groups that promote environmental awareness and support community gardening and food growing in all parts of the island of Ireland. The aim of the national week is to raise awareness of allotments, social farms and community gardens, to highlight how important they are and to detail the huge benefits of community growing for communities, individuals, biodiversity and the local environment.

The 2025 theme was “Growing Together” and kicked off on the Saturday with a gathering of Community Growing Network heads at the Common Knowledge Centre in Kilfenora, Co. Clare.

Common Knowledge is a nonprofit social enterprise focused on promoting sustainable living and community engagement. It operates the Common Knowledge Centre, which offers accommodation and encourages skills sharing in areas like building, making, and growing. Duhallow Social Farming was represented by Ellie Donovan, Social Farming and Community Garden Coordinator at IRD Duhallow.

Community Growing Network Leaders’ event at the Common Knowledge Centre, Kilfenora, Co. Clare

On Friday 17th of October IRD Duhallow hosted a Composting workshop at IRD Duhallow Social Farm. The workshop was delivered by Donal O’Leary from Waste Down. Many thanks to Donal and all who attended.

Alan Cheevers joined community growing representatives from across the island of Ireland, as well as the Community Gardens Ireland (CGI) committee at Ballybane Community Resource Centre, Galway on Sunday 12th October 2025, to officially launch the third ever National Allotments and Community Gardens Week.