Alloments in Ireland

Jenny O'Leary · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject: Alloments in Ireland

Can someone help me out as you may have greater knowledge of the legal framework in the environment...

Is there a provision in Irish legislation that allows for entitlements of every person to allotments?? I heard this from a colleague and find it hard to believe... they were a tad hazy on the detail though... any and all information appreciated! I've googled and cant find anything!!

Thanks to all!!

Liparis · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:10 am Post subject:

I'm not 100% sure of Irish law, but I think it's similar to UK law where if a minimum of 12 people request land for allotments, they have to release land that isn't earmarked for any major projects, but they have to find some.
I think in Irelands it read as, where enough people request... so the thing would be who and how is "enough" interpreted.
Bill.

Jenny O'Leary · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:

Thanks Bill... very helpful! I had a feeling there would be red tape somewhere!! Very Happy

sevenstar · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:50 am Post subject:

Watching 'Corrigan's City Farm' a few weeks ago he did say that because of some law (1926?) that the Local Authority was obliged to release any unused land held by them to allotments. Not sure if a mimimum numbers are required but might be an idea to contace your local counselor or invite one in for a cup of tea when they come to your door around now and grill them. Good luck.

Jenny O'Leary · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:10 am Post subject:

not a bad idea at all... mind you, they seem to be few and far between this year!!! afraid to face the music methinks... thanks for the info!

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:23 am Post subject: allotments In Ireland

The councils have a MANDATE to provide land to groups of people who request allotments. They are not OBLIGED to provide them. Basically the advice I received from town councillors (and this was reinforced by Trevor Seargant in Corrigans City Farm) was to get a group of people together in your locality and get everyone to sign an "expression of interest" form. This would be a letter that everyone interested could send in to their council. Its advisable to get a local councillor on board with the proposal as they can help you with the bureaucracy of councils. Local elections are happening now so if any hopeful candidates come canvassing ask them about it. I would imagine it would be a long drawn out process (which is why i rent a private allotment now, immediate fix) with many many false dawns. The councillor in Maynooth I was talking to about it actually got as far as bringing forward motions in council meetings but all to no avail I'm afraid. It's very difficult to get councils find land that hasn't been earmarked for some other purpose and even more difficult to get them to release it for public use.

Having said all this though, there are no shortcuts on the path to victory (did Mel Gibson say that in some movie?). It is well worth having a go. I'm a bit cynical about it at this stage. It's all right for Richard Corrigan to turn up to council meetings with a camera crew and a show on the national broadcaster with the whole country watching and achieve things in a very short space of time. In reality the councils will make you jump through numerous hoops of red tape. I just got fed up and decided to rent a private one. There are plenty of posts on this site about the pros and cons relating to privately run vs. council allotments. Please post here if you do have a go though, it'd be great to hear about a successful petition.

Good luck

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject:

an open evening in allotments in East Cork, at Ightermurragh on Ladysbridge /Ballymacoda road Friday evening 5th June 2009 at 7 pm. Michael Brenock horticultural advisor will give a talk and meet allotment holders and prospective holders. All welcome.

lyn · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

I have a small raised bed with beet root, carrots, spinach, peas, leeks,beans an Rolling Eyes

d broadbeans. How often should I water? especially during this heat

James Kilkelly · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:22 pm Post subject:

lyn · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:50 am Post subject:

Thanks so much,will get watering!

sevenstar · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject:

A lot of allotments quote a price for the 'allotment year' can anyone tell me what is an allotment year? is it the same as a regular year (12 months) or something different?

Liparis · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:20 am Post subject:

I'm not too sure, but I think it's 11 months.
Bill.

sevenstar · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:21 am Post subject:

Thank's Bill. Also saw somewhere that it's from March to December. Plan to go to an open day at Annamoe Allotments in Wicklow this weekend and will post what I find. Chris.

Liparis · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

It may be that the land owners themselves dictate the year.
Bill.

Macy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 33