GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden Celebrates Third Anniversary of Growth and Community Impact
The GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden celebrated its third anniversary this Spring with an event at our Blanchardstown campus to mark a successful collaboration between Global Action Plan (GAP), Fingal County Council and TU Dublin. TU Dublin President, Dr Deirdre Lillis, and Cllr Ted Leddy, representing the Mayor of Fingal planted a tree in the garden to celebrate this milestone.
Over the last three years the garden had become a vibrant centre for environmental education, community engagement, and wellbeing. From expanding food production and biodiversity planting to introducing wheelchair-accessible planters, a polytunnel, and a wildlife pond, the garden continues to flourish. Efforts from a variety of garden users and volunteers have transformed a piece of land on the Blanchardstown campus into a productive and welcoming space where people can learn, connect, and take positive action for the environment together.
The event highlighted the evolution of the garden into an inclusive shared space connecting students, staff, schools, community groups, volunteers, and partner organisations in the Dublin 15 area.
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.”
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.”
Volunteers have been central to the success of the GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden. A video capturing their voices and those of other garden users was shared with local elected representatives and partner organisations at the celebration.
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.”
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.
Helena Fitzgerald, Head of Societal Engagement said:
"The garden is a valuable example of impactful collaboration where our industry and community neighbours, local government and the university achieve far more by working together than is possible to achieve alone.”
The GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden is a strong example of what collaboration can achieve through strengthening connections, supporting wellbeing, and helping build a greener, more resilient community.