[patgourney]

I come from a small farm in West Clare originally and remember sowing and harvesting Legar potato's (I think that's how you spell it) with my father . I would now like to grow some in my own small tillage garden but I am wondering where I can source some seeds as they don't appear to be available locally. Can anyone advise me please? I only need a small amount.

[Greengage]

I have a 1953 book by AN Roinn Talmhaiochta (Dept of Agriculture) called Crops cultivation, manuring and diseases and they are not name in that so dont know the variety any chance you could have another think about it. even Google British potato varieties beginning with L and none named that maybe have another look and see if you can find it.
http://www.varieties.potato.org.uk/varietyindex.php?page_no=1

[patgourney]

Thanks Greenage. I'm pretty sure about the name (maybe not the spelling). Home Guards and Leagars were the potato's sown as I recall.
I will check with my old neighbours back home to see if my recollection is correct. Thanks for the reply.

[patgourney]

Hi again Greenage. I have found this on the web. The correct name for the potato is Land Leagures. "It was the standard first early to grow, Land Leaguers (pre-1905, Ireland). They produce a violet purple-skinned oval tuber with a characteristic ring under the skin. Its floury flesh is light yellow.".
They may have also been known as Garden Fillers” or “Hibernia” seed potatoes?
Could you check again in the An Roinn Talmhaiochta (Dept of Agriculture)1953 please. I would be most obliged.

[Greengage]

Sure why didnt you say that,
They were first recorded in 1918 and are also known as Garden Filler,
Hibernia, Land, Leaguers, Home Rulers, Davidson (1936) said that this variety was of unknown origin. Kehoe(1986) noted that it was unique to the Irish and UK potato collections.MacDonald (1991) described this variety and said that it originated before 1918. Saunders (1905) mentioned a variety called Hibernia
which he ascribed to the Scottish breeder Findlay. bet you think im really clever but here is the link, https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingsectors/crops/seedcertification/topspotatocentre/PotatoBook010610.pdf go to page 32.
Ill get back to you on where to purchase them.

[Greengage]

Scroll down to wedgetomb there is a list of suppliers that may have them,
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about1283.html there was also an old post on GIY with a link to done deal http://www.giyinternational.org/index.php/forum/viewthread/1242/#3705
but that is now gone they were available in Donegal.
I read the book again and they are listed under a group, there are 14 groups listed from (a) to (n) Group J has three varieties Arran Victory, Edzell blue and Gardenfiller, but in the section that describes particulars of varieties which is done alphabetically it does not list Gardenfiller or Edzell blue it only lists Arran victory from that group. Hope this helps let us know if you source them.

[patgourney]

Great investigative work Greenage. Thanks for all your help. Regards,

[Greengage]

No Problem were here to help.

[Good guy]

I've a friend who grows many heritage spuds. Ive passed on your query and will let you know if he has information.

[Good guy]

Hi Pat. The strength of the forum!
The Potato Propagation Centre at Tops, Raphoe,Co Donegal have what you are looking for. My friend says they are called Garden Filler now and that they are very good - he has grown them. Here is the link:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/laboratoryservices/planthealthlaboratory/potatovirology/

[Greengage]

were good here i wonder was that your man who had the ad in done deal. well done on sourcing a supplier.