Pleasant afternoon in the Library Garden

Probably because many families are away on holidays, there was a small turnout this afternoon for the Family Picnic in the Library Garden, writes Brian Byrne. But for those who were there, it was a really pleasant afternoon of chat, sunshine and nibbles.

First mooted in 2018, work began in February 2020 on the project in the former Boys School field, with the cooperation of the Kildare Library Service. Under the leadership of KCA's Derek Hoey and Martin Sheridan, the garden was developed with a wildflower meadow, trees and raised vegetable planters, and a walkway and reflection area, with benches beside plantings of lavender, ferns, and roses, as well as a picnic bench.

It was officially opened with a family picnic in May 2023. 

A not-so-hidden gem that is well appreciated each day by many in the community.

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Nutrition, biodiversity and sustainability to feature at Teddy Bears Picnic

The Teddy Bears Picnic organised by Kilcullen Community Action for Saturday afternoon in the Library Community Garden will include a number of elements designed to encourage good nutrition and sustainability practices, writes Brian Byrne.

Organiser Martin Sheridan told last night's KCA meeting that there will be tables of raw vegetables, herbs and fruits for tasting, and also a demonstration of a compost bin and how it works. A bug hotel is also going to be installed in the Library Garden on the day, "to show people how it's actually done," Martin said.

The Suas Knitting Club will be decorating the Library area with knitted teddy bears for the event, which is designed to allow for families interaction. "We're getting vibes that a lot of people are coming," Martin said, responding in the negative to a query as to whether there would be music. "We're aiming for simplicity, where people can chat away and children can run around the place. That worked very well last year."

The Library will be open, providing tea and coffee and toilet facilities for the event, which starts at 2pm. Families are asked to bring their own picnics.

The KCA AGM had been held earlier in the evening, and we'll be reporting on that later.

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Community Garden family day planned

View from last year's official opening of the garden.

A Family Day is being planned for the Library Community Garden in May, likely during Biodiversity Week 2024, writes Brian Byrne.

The March open meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard that the event will be 'more low key' than the official opening of the garden held last year. "It's just to highlight the garden and the library, and have a family day out," Martin Sheridan said. 

He added that a water feature which has been donated to the project will be in place soon. The item is solar powered, and the garden group are currently deciding the best place to locate it.

Martin noted recent improvements around the Library, including the painting of the perimeter wall by the Council, and the Brigid's Cross planting by KCA. He also thanked the Council for recently installing an outside tap, which makes it easier when volunteers are working on the garden.

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Wild and Wonderful Colour

 

June 2022 in Kilcullen Library Community Garden, developed by Kilcullen Community Action. 

Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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Russell Crow in Kilcullen

Photo courtesy Martin Sheridan.

Russell Crow has taken up duty in the Library Community Garden, to fight seed thefts by birds.

He is there courtesy of KARE, where he was created by the clients. He was presented to Kilcullen Community Action and is now in place.

He will also be company for those taking advantage to the seats to spend a few quiet minutes or hours away from the hustle and bustle of the town.

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Seats installed in Library Garden

Pic courtesy Martin Sheridan.

As recently promised by the Library Community Garden project, seats and a table have now been installed, writes Brian Byrne.

It is the latest of several public spaces managed by Kilcullen Community Action to get seats, and will certainly increase the attraction of the garden as a place to chill and recharge.

And just as a reminder of how the garden can be, here's another look at some of its colour during the summer passed.

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Seats on the way for Community Garden

Seats have been ordered for the Community Garden in the Library grounds and should be in place in a couple of weeks, writes Brian Byrne.

Martin Sheridan told the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action that a bulb-planting session will be organised when the seats are installed. Two old churns have been painted up and will be placed in the garden to add character.

Compliments were paid to the team who built up the garden over the last couple of years. KCA chair Anne Cashman said the upcoming seats will be a 'fabulous' addition, while Mark Reid noted that it is only a few years since the area was 'just a place for litter'.

(Video shows the garden in June of this year.)

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Work session in Library Garden Thursday

The Library Garden group of KCA will be continuing work there on Thursday evening.

The session starts at 7pm, and all are welcome to come along and help.

Our pictures show some of the magnificent field of poppies in the wild section of the garden.

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Work session in Community Garden tomorrow

 

A work session will be held in the Library Community Garden tomorrow, Sunday, between 5pm-6.30pm. 

Anyone who would like to come along and talk to the KCA group working the project is welcome to do so. 

If anyone wants to help they will be equally so.

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Tea break in Library Garden work

KCA Library Garden volunteers taking a tea-break from their work in developing it as a community garden. (Pic by Martin Sheridan.)

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Life begins in the Library Garden

New year, and first plantings in the Library Garden. Photo courtesy Martin Sheridan.

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More work on Library garden

More good work from volunteers in the Community Garden project on Saturday afternoon.

The third raised bed was built, and a start on filling the others.

Other parts of the area were prepared for planting.

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Good work at Library Garden

Pictures provided by the group.

There was a good turnout of volunteers last night to help with making the raised beds for the Library Garden Project.

Two structures were completed as they worked until dark, and the group will be working on these and others from around 4pm today.

Everybody who feels they can lend a hand is welcome.

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Another call for Library Garden work on Friday

Working on the project in July.

Anyone who has experience in how to put raised beds together is invited to help out on Friday evening at the Kilcullen Community Library Garden Project, writes Brian Byrne.

Volunteers with power drills for screwing the boxes together are welcome, and the Kilcullen Community Action organisers also need people to help line the boxes, and to fill them.

Martin Sheridan and Derek Hoey also hope to organise the area for hedge planting if they get enough help on the night. Bring along your shovel. Starting at 6pm.  

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Raised beds work for Library garden on Friday

Volunteers working on garden in July.

The group behind the Kilcullen Library Community Garden Project will start putting the raised beds together on the site, starting this Friday evening, writes Brian Byrne, and everyone who wants to help is welcome to come along.

The work will be taking place from 6pm-7.30pm approximately, and helpers will be asked to maintain the social distancing and other safety measures.

"This project is all about our community, so anyone from any part of Kilcullen who can help is very welcome," says Kilcullen Community Action's Martin Sheridan, who is managing the project.

Martin would also appreciate any donations of farmyard manure that might be available, and anybody who might have some available can contact anyone in KCA.

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