Nenagh’s ‘truly inspiring’ allotments

‘Central to the sustainability of Nenagh, the extent and diversity of the flourishing allotments was truly inspiring.

“To see these allotments being worked should be shown to as wide an audience as possible.”

That was what the Tidy Towns adjudicator had to say about Nenagh Community Allotments in last year's report on the town. Located about a mile outside Nenagh on the road to Newtown, the allotments clearly left a positive impression on the adjudicator, and a visit to them will clearly reveal why.

There are more than 60 plots on the two-acre site, each of them measuring ten feet by five. Some remain as single plots, others have been grouped into doubles by the members of Nenagh Community Allotments, which now number around 35.

They take great care in tending to their plots, presenting a site of intrigue where one can see a wide range of fruit and vegetables growing. These include rhubarb, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, beetroot, carrots, parsnips, garlic, runner beans, peas, sweetcorn, tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts.

They are grown by the allotment keepers, who visit the site on an almost daily basis, sometimes accompanied by family and friends. They occasionally hold barbeque parties, and there is now even a pizza oven on the site to complement the sense of community.

ALL WELCOME

That sense of community is very much in the ethos of Nenagh Community Allotments, which was set up in 2011. Originally based closer to the town at Gortlandroe, the group moved to the new site four years ago and cleared it to create their plots.

The present membership is comprised of people based in Nenagh and as far afield as Ballina. Indian and Romanian nationals living locally are amongst those involved.

The allotments committee welcomes all to go out and visit their site and learn about what they do, which is very much centred on organic sustainability, with no chemical sprays used on the produce. They say the allotments have become a valuable social outlet for members to meet up and chat with one another while enjoying the serenity of the site outside town.

A sure sign of the allotments' success is that all plots are taken at present, but the committee is inviting anyone interested in joining a waiting list to get in contact.

They will be holding a street collection in Nenagh this Friday, May 23, which the members hope will be well-supported as they plan to buy a rotavator to help maintain the site. The committee would like to thank Nenagh Municipal District for providing grant support to the allotments, as well as landowner Albert Purcell.

The Tidy Towns adjudicator suggested that people should go and see the allotments being worked; perhaps you should do just that.