Community Orchard on Bennettsbridge rd. gets summer weeding.

Many thanks to the Lions Club and Dukesmeadows residents association who joined forces with KKB to undertake a Summer weeding of the Bennettsbridge rd., community orchard. The orchard has a variety of  fruit tree types and also fruit bushes in an attractive location adjacent to  the access route to the river Nore walks. The variety of trees and bushes  is attractive for  our pollinators and also provide autumn fruit  and berries which is of interest to  wildlife.

Bee friendly Community Orchards on approach roads

Keep Kilkenny Beautiful welcomes all to our city,  at this time of year our approach roads are spruced up, and this includes the bee friendly  community orchard on the Waterford  road. the trees are currently in flower and we await a great fruit crop later in the year.  Congratulations to the Kilkenny Bahai  community who  came out to  maintain  the Orchard   and  Kilkenny welcome sign!.

Plant for the Planet and treeplanting week

KKB and Dukesmeadows residents  participated in a UN-backed global initiative which is being spearheaded in Ireland by the charity Crann, Trees for Ireland through their easy treesie project. With support from Kilkenny County Council, children are assisted in planting native and naturalised trees in their local area. Kilkenny City  was selected for a ceremonial tree planting in advance of Earth Day next Monday . This project will assist in providing a shelter belt and wildlife corridor, capture carbon and of course beautify our area.The fruit trees are also very important for our wildlife and pollinators.

Fruit tree planting at Dukesmeadows

Many children around the country have already had a chance to join in this environmental learning opportunity, planting over 14,000 trees in their local parks, community gardens, roadside verges and hospitals as part of the challenge for Ireland’s children to plant a million trees by 2023.

The trees have been specially selected by the team of specialists in easy treesie – Crann. Joining in this activity ties in with many curriculum objectives at local schools and will assist in their winning the International Green Flags.

There was a presentation at Dukesmeadows during the planting on the subject of trees and their importance for our city  by Orla Farrell of Crann . A great planting was has by all.  Our  children will have the opportunity to benefit from the fruit of their labours for many years to come.

KKB have been working with many groups throughout Kilkenny over the last number of years to plant  hundreds of fruit trees and bushes  suitable for their location.A number of community orchards have already been established and additional orchards are being planned. This action  continue over the next number of years. Residents associations and voluntary groups who would like to participate in this action are more than welcome to contact KKB for the next planting season.

Fruit blossoms in Kilkenny City

Throughout Kilkenny our   many pear and apple community orchards are flowering  in colourful whites and pinks.   The wild cherry has already flowered. We look forward to the fruit later in the year.  Additional orchard and fruit tree planting  continues each year at new locations and existing trees are pruned.  Attractive orchards can be seen  at various locations and estates through out our City.  Examples can be seen  at  Kilkenny castle Park, Waterford Rd. and  Bennettsbridge rd. Along the main ring road there is a variety of fruit trees planted interspersed  among the overall planting.

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.

 

Kilkenny 400 Fruit tree project

Part of the gathering at Kilkenny Park Orchard for the launch. June 2010 copyright Keep Kilkenny Beautiful

An  event to celebrate the Kilkenny 400 Fruit Tree project took place  at the Orchard site in Kilkenny Castle on Monday 21st June 2010 .   A stone plaque was unveiled by Kilkenny City  Mayor Malcolm Noonan .   The  lives of Susie Long, Barbara Gill, Avril Duffy (Kilkenny Earthwatch group) and Steve Clayton (late husband of Tisha Warner – 400 Fruit Tree project) were also remembered at the ceremony.  The attendance included many of the groups and organisations who planted some 40  orchards around Kilkenny in the last year.

The KKB have been working closely with Future Proof Kilkenny in developing and implementing this wonderful project.   Kilkenny’s 400 Fruit Tree project  marked the 400th Anniversary of the Signing of the Kilkenny City Charter by planting 400 native and heritage varieties of Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry and other types of fruit trees in new Orchards  throughout the city and environs.  The orchards will improve biodiversity and  habitat for wildlife.

Mayor Malcolm Noonan with Brian Dillon (Future proof Kilkenny) and Elaine Bradshaw (Hon Sec. Keep Kilkenny beautiful). Copyright Keep Kilkenny Beautiful

For more information and video on the  planting:

http://futureproofkilkenny.org/?p=1219

http://futureproofkilkenny.org/?page_id=516

Kilkenny castle and park on the 21st June 2010, Mid summers day! Copyright Keep Kilkenny Beautiful