Spuds are now growing overhead after the official opening on October 20 of Galway City Partnership’s rooftop balcony garden on the Headford Road.
Situated high above Lidl and with a commanding view of the Corrib and across the city, the roof area has been transformed into an urban oasis of tasty and organic vegetables, including carrots, broccoli, spinach and spuds and a variety of herbs and salads. There is even a fig tree in the rooftop greenhouse.
Linda Sice Brogan, CEO of Galway City Partnership (GCP) says the garden is a great example of what can be done in urban spaces and at community or business level.
“GCP wanted to demonstrate how locally produced food can reduce the carbon footprint of supply chains and show that any urban space can be transformed to provide locally grown produce.”
Funded by the Community Climate Action Fund which is awarded by Galway City Council and the Department of Climate Energy and Environment, the project began in February of this year. It is skillfully tended by participants on the Tús and Community Employment programmes with support from Hinterland.
• Photographs by Aengus McMahon.
The opening was performed by Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and Social Protection.
The minister praised Galway City Partnership, saying it is “a highly effective and dynamic partner for my departments in providing social inclusion and employment services across the city. Their staff and boards have brought about momentous change and hope for people and communities for many years.”
He said it was “fantastic to see yet another example of what’s possible with a partnership approach” and he commended Galway City Council, the Local Community Development Committee, the Department of Climate Energy and Environment “as well as officials in my own Departments who work so well with GCP on many community and employment programmes”.
Derek Pender, deputy CEO of Galway City Council, outlined the impact of the Community Climate Action Fund in Galway City,: “It is impressive to see the development of this urban garden which is one of 19 local projects which were successful in an overall fund of €560,242. Some of the completed projects to date include a new community garden in Ballyloughnane, a huge Solar PV system on Westside Resource Centre, a full retrofitting project at No. 4 Youth Service and an EV cargo bike at Café Link Galway, to name a few.”
The chairperson of Galway City Partnership welcomed Minister Calleary and the large audience that included deputy mayor, Alan Cheevers, detective inspector Fergus Gaughan, members of the Local Community Development Committee and supporters from GCP’s local partner organisations.
• Pictured at the launch of Galway City Partnership’s rooftop garden were Minister Dara Calleary, Galway City Partnership CEO Linda Sice Brogan and gardener Seamus O’Donnell.
GCP is a local development company dedicated to promoting social inclusion, community development, and equal access to opportunities for all residents of Galway city. Click on map below for exact location on Google Maps. Find out more about their work here: https://gcp.ie/
The Community Climate Action Fund is part of the national Community Climate Action Programme; it provides funding to empower community groups to take local climate action.
Find out more here: https://www.galwaycity.ie/services/climate-action/climate-action-services/community-climate-action-fund
