Introducing ENViTE, an edible network of villages and towns in Ireland.

About this event

Learn about different edible community projects in Ireland, and meet others in your locality who share the interest in creating edible areas that support human health and wellbeing, biodiversity and our eco-system.

With speakers from multiple edible projects, this event will provide inspiration as well as a solid starting point for anyone who wants to take action in their locality.

ENViTE is a new network of edible villages and towns in Ireland. They are a volunteer run network who share a passion for growing food and providing habitat for wildlife. They began in Wexford, and would like to offer their support to anyone who would like to join an existing group, or set up a local group in their area.

This event will introduce ENViTE, and also showcase options for growing food locally, with two fantastic speakers. We are delighted to announce Alan Clayton from the Edible Trails project in Kinsale, and Siobhán Lavelle who will introduce the concept of forest gardening for community areas.

This event is hosted by the Irish Environmental Network and Wexford Environmental Network.

Schedule for the event

2.00: Welcome and Introduction. Hear about different groups in Ireland who are working to connect people with an interest in creating a sustainable future, with Catherine O'Toole of the Irish Environmental Network

2.10: Introducing ENViTE, an edible network of edible villages and towns in Ireland. Hear from those involved in this network and how they got started.

2.25: Edible Trails from Transition Towns Kinsale. Alan Clayton will share the story of their Edible Trail, an edible walk through the town to connect people with their food.

2.40: Brief Q&A

2.50: Forest Gardening Introduction. Siobhán Lavelle will introduce the concept of forest gardening and how it can be applied on a small to medium scale in local communities.

3.10: Q&A with all speakers

3.30: Let's meet! Take this opportunity to meet others in your locality and share ideas about possibilities for your community space.

4.00: Close

About Our Speakers ENViTE - Edible Villages and Towns in Eire

Susanna D'Ascenzi is a member of Wexford Environmental Network, and a pioneer of ENViTE.

ENViTE is a beautiful concept where any urban area which is either abandoned or "otherwise planted" will be gradually re-planted with food or with flowers for pollinators.

Together they are working with schools, Tidy Towns and others to grow food, trees, bushes and flowers for pollinators in accessible shared community spaces.

They were inspired by the Incredible Edible project in Todmorden, UK. Get inspired too by watching this short video to introduce the concept of community grown food in public spaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLdMcmHXdcAabout

Transition Towns Kinsale - Edible Trail

Alan Clayton is involved with Transition Town Kinsale and their Edible Trail project. The 2km trail through the town takes in seven stops along the way, from apple trees to goji berry bushes!

Thanks to Transition Town Kinsale, Kinsale Tidy Towns, Kinsale College, and many individual efforts, you can find edible plants and trees in several public spaces in the town.

The edible walk is accompanied by a map, and is a reminder for those who walk it of the richness of their local environment.

Forest Gardening with Siobhán Lavelle

Forest gardening is a gardening practice which mimics forest eco-systems in order to grow more food in less space with less work. Forest gardens are more beautiful than conventional vegetable patches and provide more niches for biodiversity.

Siobhán Lavelle is the co-founder of Coole Eco Community in Offaly. Siobhán is a horticulturist and teacher with 10+ years' experience.