GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden Celebrates Third Anniversary of Growth and Community Impact
The GLAS @TU Dublin Community Garden marked its third anniversary with a celebration at the start of spring. This momentous occasion was marked by a visit from Cllr Ted Leddy representing the Mayor of Fingal. The celebration marked the success of this unique community garden, which is operated by Global Action Plan (GAP), in partnership with TU Dublin and Fingal County Council.
The event highlighted the evolution of the garden into an inclusive shared space connecting students, staff, local schools, community groups, volunteers, and partner organisations across the Dublin 15 area. The garden had become a vibrant centre for environmental education, community engagement, and wellbeing.
TU Dublin President Dr Deirdre Lillis said the garden reflects the university’s role in supporting its surrounding communities:
“TU Dublin is dedicated to fostering positive societal change through meaningful partnerships with the communities we serve. Today we celebrate three remarkable years of the GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden, a collaborative initiative between TU Dublin, Fingal County Council and Global Action Plan.”
“In a short time, the garden has made a significant impact, creating a welcoming shared space for learning and community connection while offering valuable environmental education opportunities for our students, local schools and residents.”
Over the past three years groups of local people, children from local primary and secondary schools, TU Dublin students and their lecturers, other local learning groups and companies have worked together to develop the garden to a multi-use environment that is both enjoyable, fruitful and environmentally beneficial. In the garden food production and biodiversity planting has been expanded and it now has new additions such as the wheelchair accessible planter boxes, a polytunnel, and a wildlife pond.
Volunteers have been central to the success of the GLAS gardens, helping to transform underused land into productive green spaces where people can grow food, restore nature and build stronger communities. A video was produced for the event which captured the voices of some of the volunteers.
Hans Zomer, CEO of GAP Ireland, said the garden shows how climate action can start at community level:
“Climate action begins with people. The community garden at TU Dublin shows what is possible when communities are trusted, supported and empowered. With access to shared green spaces and community support, people come together, build connections and develop the confidence and skills to help create a better world for everyone.”
Highlighting the success of the garden, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Tom O’Leary said:
“The GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden embodies the very best of what community collaboration can achieve here in Dublin 15. Fingal County Council is proud to support this vibrant space where education, wellbeing and environmental stewardship come together.Over the past three years, the garden has strengthened connections between students, residents, local schools and community groups, creating a shared resource that benefits the entire area. I warmly congratulate everyone involved for their dedication and vision, which continue to make Dublin 15 a greener, stronger and more connected community.”
The GLAS community gardens in Dublin - in Ballymun and Corduff - are part of a wider effort to support local climate action while improving wellbeing and social connection.
