Thanks to a large number of volunteers from Statestreet and KKB a major section of balsam has been removed along the river to the south of Kilkenny.
Category Archives: Sustainability
Rehab Kilkenny joins KKB to plant for the future.
Congratulations to Rehab and Bird Watch Ireland for joining our 2017 “planting for the future” initiative . A new orchard and fruit garden has been planted just off Bennettsbridge road. The new garden will continue to give fruit and apples into the future. it will be bee and wild life friendly. It is one of a large number of orchards and fruit gardens which have been planted in and around Kilkenny City by Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, Kilkenny County Council and many of our Residents Associations over the last number of years.
Fruit tree and fruit bush planting
As part of our long term sustainability programme KKB, our many residents associations and our Local Authority are leaving a legacy of extensive fruit tree and fruit bush planting each year right around Kilkenny City. These trees and bushes will continue to give fruit, cover and colour to our community for many years to come, Kilkenny City has a very suitable micro climate for fruit tree planting. Kilkenny: The orchard of Ireland.
Blackcurrant and gooseberry plants having been propagated by Keep Kilkenny Beautiful from 2016 cuttings are prepared for planting to create a new fruit garden in 2017. The fruit is equally popular for jam making as to be eaten our birds during the summer.
Apple tree planting underway 2017 creating a new fruit garden , protection is being provided to protect the base of the trees from strimming and bark mulch to keep growth down by the trees.
There are already many fruit tree varieties in our city , this tree is located in the city centre near the Black abbey (pictured autumn 2016)
Over 1000 trees planted at Bishops Meadows
Congratulations to all who worked together to plant some 1000 native trees at Bishopsmeadows in Kilkenny. The weather was ideal, on the day with spring warmth! The planting was sponsored and coordinated by Tree Services Ireland who have an aim to plant 2 trees for every tree removed. The work was undertaken by a large number of volunteers working with KKB and local residents.
Tree planting 2000
All are welcome to “tree planting 2000” which will take place on Saturday 26th March,
The aim is to plant 2000 trees during the day and add to the wonderful range of trees we have in our City. information at 086-2567686, 086-1075532 or mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com
Early year colour in Kilkenny
Kilkenny is working to have low maintenance sustainable year round colour including in February !
Savour Kilkenny – Big crowds enjoy the atmosphere in dry autumn weather
Savour Kilkenny
Rare orchids at Melville
This year there has been a wonderful display of rare orchids at Melville. Congratulations to the resident’s association who are not undertaking grass cutting in their bee / pollinator friendly gr
een 
spaces.
Balsam in Kilkenny City gets a bash!
The non-native invasive species is to be found on the river Nore close to Kilkenny City. The plant due to its large size, it can smother native plant species reducing biodiversity and needs to be kept under control.The plant is an annual and it is important to remove new season growth prior to seeding.
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Environmental Subcommittee undertook a pilot balsam removal project on the river Breagagh in 2015. This was found to be quite successful with only limited new plant growth in the areas cleared in 2015.
In 2016 Keep Kilkenny Beautiful has proceeded with a much larger Balsam removal project. This commenced in May 2016 with removal of any new plants in the section of the river between Ossory Bridge and the Boardwalk area.In addition, clearance is also being undertaken in the river Breagagh. The work is being done section by section by hard-working volunteers without the use of chemicals. The plants are being pulled by the root and are being composted. Repeat visits are being made during the course of the summer to remove any additional balsam growth and to prevent flowering. The results of this larger pilot project will be reviewed again in detail in 2017 to assess the success of the work and to see if any adjustments to the work procedure be considered.
KKB are also thankful of the assistance and cooperation being received from Kilkenny Angler’s and Kilkenny County Council.
KKB welcomes new volunteers to assist . See our Contacts page, also see also our Events page.
Regina Byrne Hon Secretary KKB and Bernadette Moloney Environmental awareness Officer with a large balsam plant on the board walk.
Hard working volunteer group on the Board walk making ready to clear the Balsam
Rothe House pollinator day
A pollinator day took place at Rothe house on their garden open day in conjunction with Tanguy de Toulgoët and coordinated by the KKB. Tanguy is a bee keeper and he explained the art of bee keeping and the importance of pollinator plants. There was also a honey tasting. Information was provided in relation to the selection of pollinator plants and how a garden could be made more bee friendly.
Visitors from Japan review the bee hive design which is of French/Japanese design
Honey tasting in Rothe garden
Rothe house herb garden
Rothe orchard, the grass is being left uncut to encourage wild flowers
Tanguy de Toulgoët explains the bee hive construction.