To celebrate National Organic Week, An t-Ionad Glas, The Organic College, Dromcollogher brought together a fusion of people, food and information, during itâs Open Day on Tuesday 23rd October.
Throughout the day, staff and students openly welcomed a variety of locals including farmers, beekeepers, slow food campaigners, media, a group of dairy farmers from Mitchelstown and people interested in finding out more about organics. The sun glimmered as visitors were taken on guided walks of the gardens, polytunnels, native tree nursery, heritage apple orchard and enterprise acre. Mary Lynch, Organic Consultant, REPS advisor and part-time lecturer at an t-Ionad Glas, led a discussion group on converting to Organic Milk Production
There was plenty of time for visitors to mingle and chat with staff and students, including distance-learners who had travelled from around the country to sit their FETAC Level 5 examinations. All enjoyed seasonal, organic, local treats prepared in the college. Such treats included freshly baked scones, apple tarts, homemade bread and jams using as much local organic ingredients as possible. Lunch provided an opportunity to celebrate the joy of growing, cooking, eating and sharing local organic produce. Visitors joined together to enjoy a hearty seasonal vegetable soup, a fresh organic salad and had the opportunity to taste a host of organic potatoes. Varieties tasted were both heritage and newly introduced such as Druids, Arronâs Victory, Queens, Desire and Sarpo Mira. This was a perfect opportunity to sample the vast array of organic food that can be grown or sourced locally in Ireland.
Slow Food Campaigners from Limerick joined hands with seasoned growers and experienced farmers to celebrate the craft of quality food production and reflect on the potential joy and taste of local food. Grace Fitzgerald of the âSlow Food Limerick & Regionâ outlined plans to set up a branch of this organisation in the coming months. This group aims to celebrate good, local, healthy and fairly traded food.
The college was a hive of activity with students and staff coming together in meitheal tradition to prepare food and share their experiences. The college weekly market was in full swing with a wide selection of organic vegetables, preserves, cordials, local honey, potted herbs and native trees for sale. Enthusiastic visitors were thrilled to shop local and left satisfied in the knowledge that their purchases were organic, fresh, seasonal, local, environmentally friendly and tasty!
A special free edition of the magazine Organic Matters was distributed at the college and is now available in Health Food Shops and retail outlets for the coming weeks.
Courses continue at an tIonad Glas, Dromcollogher. Bookings are being taken for day and distance learning courses for September 2008. Details of these and Slow Food events can be obtained by phoning 063 83604 or emailing [email protected] .
Ref: Jim McNamara & Kitty Scully 063 83604