Permaculture Community Garden: The Heart of The Growery
At The Growery, we believe that gardening is more than just planting seeds—it's a way of life that connects people with nature and with each other. Our garden is based on the principles of permaculture, an approach that emphasizes working with nature rather than against it. It's not just a sustainable way to grow plants but also an inspiring way to see the world!
It’s a place where everyone can come, learn something new, get their hands dirty, and have a great time learning how to grow plants in harmony with nature. In our garden, instead of using chemicals and artificial fertilizers, we rely on natural methods like companion planting, composting, and water conservation. It’s not only more eco-friendly but also way more satisfying!
Our garden is a space for everyone—whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting your journey with plants. We host workshops, meet-ups, and various events where we learn together about growing, ecology, and living in harmony with the environment. It’s also a fantastic way to meet new people who share the same mindset!
For us, permaculture is more than just a gardening technique—it’s a philosophy that teaches how to live closer to nature, take care of our planet, and look after one another. At The Growery, we’re proud to promote this way of thinking and show how easy it is to put it into practice.
We want The Growery to be a place that everyone can help shape. If you’re interested in sustainable living, want to learn something new, or are just looking for a cool place to get involved—come visit us! Together, we can create something truly special.
The Growery is more than just a garden – it's a space where sustainable design, nature, and passionate people come together. Our goal is to create places that are eco-friendly, functional, and inspiring. We build using natural materials and eco-solutions that support our mission of sustainable living and harmony with nature. Here are a few projects we’ve created that show just how committed we are to being green.
At The Growery, we have unique garden pavilions and domes made from natural materials like wood. These aren’t just beautiful additions to the garden but also great spots for workshops, events, or simply hanging out and chatting over coffee. Our structures blend perfectly with the greenery, offering pleasant shade, shelter from the wind and rain, and a sense of open, welcoming space that encourages connection and creative thinking.
Natural Structures and Eco-Architecture at The Growery
The Growery Chooses Organic Farming
At The Growery, we focus on organic cultivation of vegetables and fruits because we believe that healthy, delicious food and caring for the planet go hand in hand. Here are a few reasons why we choose this path:
By growing organically, we steer clear of artificial pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. This ensures our fruits and vegetables are full of flavor and free from harmful substances. It’s simply a healthier choice for all of us!
Organic gardening is about respecting the earth, water, and everything around us. Instead of depleting the soil, we focus on strengthening it. This helps protect biodiversity and prevents pollution.
For us, growing plants is more than just about food—it’s a way of life. We learn how to manage resources wisely, minimize waste, conserve water, and use what we have sustainably. We want to show that everyone can do something good for the planet.
Our garden is not just a place where fruits and vegetables grow—it’s a place for meetings, conversations, and working together. We believe that working with plants brings people closer, builds bonds, and gives a sense of belonging to something bigger.
Organic farming methods are also a nod to the climate. We avoid chemicals, focus on local production, and aim to reduce our impact on the environment. Every tomato grown locally means fewer emissions and more benefits for us all.
For us, at The Growery, organic farming is a way to combine tasty food with caring for the earth. We want to inspire others to take small steps toward a better future—for us, our community, and our planet!
Blue Flame Tour 2015 – Coming Together for Sustainable Energy
In 2015, one of the most inspiring initiatives took place, involving a group of dedicated individuals – Blue Flame Tour 2015. The project aimed to promote biodigestors and sustainable living by building 9 biodigestors in just 8 days across different parts of the country. The best part? It was all about teamwork – everyone was united by a passion for ecology and a shared goal of making the world a better place.
A lot of people got involved in the project – engineers, ecologists, local residents, volunteers, and even environmental education specialists. Everyone brought something unique to the table, and it was this diversity that made the whole thing work.
Working in the garden was a challenge, but it was also incredibly satisfying. We built each biodigestor from scratch – from assembling the equipment to filling it with organic waste. It wasn’t just about the technical work; it was also a fantastic opportunity to learn and share knowledge.
Over the course of 8 days, we managed to build 9 biodigestors, which are now generating biogas. This means our garden now has a cheap, renewable energy source. But that’s not all – the biodigestors also produce organic fertilizer, which local farmers can use for their crops. So, what we accomplished didn’t just have a positive impact on the environment, but also on the local economy.
The project also had a huge educational impact. We shared our knowledge with hundreds of people, inspiring them to use renewable energy sources and showing them that anyone can help reduce waste.
But the biggest achievement of Blue Flame Tour 2015 was building a community of people who want to work together for a better future. The biodigestors we built became a symbol of sustainability and self-sufficiency. We all felt like we were part of something bigger – a mission for sustainable development.
This project helped us understand just how important teamwork and knowledge-sharing are. Everyone involved, no matter their role, contributed to the success. That joint effort showed us that even in a short amount of time, you can do something amazing if you work with passion and commitment.
Ireland's first community scale IBC tank based biodigester!
The first IBC-based biodigester in Ireland was built at the Birr Community Growery – a project that not only launched the Solar CITIES Blue Flame tour but also showcased what can be achieved through community collaboration and innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
Want to know more? Check out the details of this groundbreaking event on the Solar CITIES website: Ireland’s First Community-Scale IBC Tank-Based Biodigester.
It’s an inspiring story of ideas, teamwork, and building a better future – don’t miss it!