A Tipperary primary school is spreading hap-pea-ness in its tight-knit community by supplying a local café with vegetables. Delivered daily from its polytunnel, this is believed to be a first-of-its kind partnership in Ireland.
Loughmore NS in North Tipperary has forged a unique connection over the years with The Cottage, a picturesque community-owned café in the village. Pupils sing regularly for the local active retirement group who meet there, attend ‘last supper’ lunches in 6th class, and come in for regular treats.
Now, the 90 students are taking that bond to another level as they grow and supply vegetables for what founder Mary Fogarty calls “the heartbeat or the hub of the village”. Located in an authentic old cottage complete with a traditional half door, just a short distance from Templemore, it was established back in 2012 on a co-operative basis.
“We got a lovely surprise this morning,” says Mary, holding out a large tray of vegetables and edible flowers from the school. “Today we got scallions; we got beetroot, potatoes, parsley, lettuce, snap peas, and beautiful edible flowers.”
All of the fresh produce is incorporated into the specials, salads, and chutneys on the menu by chef Geraldine Shiel, including today’s delicious leek and potato soup.
With local at the heart of everything they do, The Cottage already supports nine food producers within a five-mile radius; this latest partnership is another feather in their sustainability and food miles cap.
“It’s a sweet little project,” Mary says, smiling, before adding that the 20-foot polytunnel is the perfect classroom for children, and she loves visiting because it is such a calm, tranquil place in the shadow of the Devil’s Bit.
Giving back
Customers are very impressed too by the innovative zero food miles partnership.
“We had a group of eight French people here yesterday, and they could not believe the flavours. They were delighted,” says Mary, who has 12 staff in the café. The project has been a win-win in terms of “giving back” to the local community, according to the principal of Loughmore NS, Angela Dunne, plus the children get to enjoy the benefits of growing fruit and vegetables as she did as a girl.
Mary Fogarty (The Cottage Loughmore), Angela Dunne (Principal Loughmore NS) and Geraldine Shiel (The Cottage Loughmore). Mary and Geraldine accepting fresh potatoes, vegetables, leaves and flowers from the school's polytunnel. \ Odhran Ducie
“It’s worked out so much better than I thought,” says Angela, who points to the strawberries and tomatoes that will be ready to harvest soon. “They love it. It’s so peaceful. They’re grounded, and they go back to class very happy.
“Every child in the school participated in preparing the polytunnel, putting in the soil and moss, weeding it, picking out stones, and planting, but the Green Schools Committee is the one to monitor it and water it,” says Angela.
“The children can’t get over it because they planted it themselves. They’re observing it in a way they wouldn’t if their own hands hadn’t done it. They are very proud of it, I think.”
Polytunnel project
After their outdoor raised beds made way for a building project, Angela was determined to go one better – and moving inside gave them more options for growing.
She was subsequently successful in getting a €5,000 Education for Sustainable Development grant from the Department of Education last October, and just two months later the polytunnel was in place with help from many people in the community.
Angela pays a warm tribute to “unsung heroes” Bridget Cashen and Kathleen Corrigan, who are both SNAs at the school. As well as giving great advice, they continue to oversee the project with the pupils who generally come out at break times to look after the plants.
Emily O'Meara, Lauren Murray, Kathleen Corrigan, Bridget Cashen and Angela Dunne in the polytunnel at Loughmore NS. \ Odhran Ducie
Standing in the polytunnel, the youngsters are clearly proud of their efforts. Shea Moran (10) loves the variety of vegetables they have grown, while Holly McAuliffe (7) and Leon Hogan (10) point out the important work they have done planting and watering the plants over the last few months.
Lauren Murray (13) says this venture has inspired her to create her own garden at home with her grandfather, growing radishes, peas, and other vegetables at his farm.
With school out for summer, the students have handed over the project to Seamus Brennan, who is leading a community team of volunteers, to ensure this innovative project continues to grow until September.
A Tipperary primary school is spreading hap-pea-ness in its tight-knit community by supplying a local café with vegetables. Delivered daily from its polytunnel, this is believed to be a first-of-its kind partnership in Ireland.
Loughmore NS in North Tipperary has forged a unique connection over the years with The Cottage, a picturesque community-owned café in the village. Pupils sing regularly for the local active retirement group who meet there, attend ‘last supper’ lunches in 6th class, and come in for regular treats.
Now, the 90 students are taking that bond to another level as they grow and supply vegetables for what founder Mary Fogarty calls “the heartbeat or the hub of the village”. Located in an authentic old cottage complete with a traditional half door, just a short distance from Templemore, it was established back in 2012 on a co-operative basis.
“We got a lovely surprise this morning,” says Mary, holding out a large tray of vegetables and edible flowers from the school. “Today we got scallions; we got beetroot, potatoes, parsley, lettuce, snap peas, and beautiful edible flowers.”
All of the fresh produce is incorporated into the specials, salads, and chutneys on the menu by chef Geraldine Shiel, including today’s delicious leek and potato soup.
With local at the heart of everything they do, The Cottage already supports nine food producers within a five-mile radius; this latest partnership is another feather in their sustainability and food miles cap.
“It’s a sweet little project,” Mary says, smiling, before adding that the 20-foot polytunnel is the perfect classroom for children, and she loves visiting because it is such a calm, tranquil place in the shadow of the Devil’s Bit.
Giving back
Customers are very impressed too by the innovative zero food miles partnership.
“We had a group of eight French people here yesterday, and they could not believe the flavours. They were delighted,” says Mary, who has 12 staff in the café. The project has been a win-win in terms of “giving back” to the local community, according to the principal of Loughmore NS, Angela Dunne, plus the children get to enjoy the benefits of growing fruit and vegetables as she did as a girl.
Mary Fogarty (The Cottage Loughmore), Angela Dunne (Principal Loughmore NS) and Geraldine Shiel (The Cottage Loughmore). Mary and Geraldine accepting fresh potatoes, vegetables, leaves and flowers from the school's polytunnel. \ Odhran Ducie
“It’s worked out so much better than I thought,” says Angela, who points to the strawberries and tomatoes that will be ready to harvest soon. “They love it. It’s so peaceful. They’re grounded, and they go back to class very happy.
“Every child in the school participated in preparing the polytunnel, putting in the soil and moss, weeding it, picking out stones, and planting, but the Green Schools Committee is the one to monitor it and water it,” says Angela.
“The children can’t get over it because they planted it themselves. They’re observing it in a way they wouldn’t if their own hands hadn’t done it. They are very proud of it, I think.”
Polytunnel project
After their outdoor raised beds made way for a building project, Angela was determined to go one better – and moving inside gave them more options for growing.
She was subsequently successful in getting a €5,000 Education for Sustainable Development grant from the Department of Education last October, and just two months later the polytunnel was in place with help from many people in the community.
Angela pays a warm tribute to “unsung heroes” Bridget Cashen and Kathleen Corrigan, who are both SNAs at the school. As well as giving great advice, they continue to oversee the project with the pupils who generally come out at break times to look after the plants.
Emily O'Meara, Lauren Murray, Kathleen Corrigan, Bridget Cashen and Angela Dunne in the polytunnel at Loughmore NS. \ Odhran Ducie
Standing in the polytunnel, the youngsters are clearly proud of their efforts. Shea Moran (10) loves the variety of vegetables they have grown, while Holly McAuliffe (7) and Leon Hogan (10) point out the important work they have done planting and watering the plants over the last few months.
Lauren Murray (13) says this venture has inspired her to create her own garden at home with her grandfather, growing radishes, peas, and other vegetables at his farm.
With school out for summer, the students have handed over the project to Seamus Brennan, who is leading a community team of volunteers, to ensure this innovative project continues to grow until September.
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