TU Dublin has improved its Blanchardstown campus with the launch of a new community garden.

The GLAS @ TU Dublin garden was developed by Fingal County Council, Global Action Plan Ireland, TU Dublin and the local community. It provides a space for local community groups and schools to grow fresh produce, reconnect with nature, and foster a stronger sense of community.

Mayor of Fingal Howard Mahony visited the site to officially open the new garden. Speaking at the event, Mayor Mahony said: "This garden will prove to be a welcome addition to Dublin 15, particularly as it aims to bring people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds together. The beauty of initiatives like this is not just the growing of plants, flowers and vegetables, but that it also provides a great opportunity for local residents to connect, develop new skills and help with people's well-being."

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"The Green Living & Sustainability Community Garden (GLAS) at TU Dublin is a living lab project, focused on offering communities a hands-on experience to learn about sustainable growing and to participate in establishing our shared environment as climate resilient and biodiversity-rich," said TU Dublin's Vice President for Sustainability, Jennifer Boyer.

"This sunny and sheltered site, which was once home to TU Dublin's Horticulture discipline, is primed for growth with its native tree and hedging boundary. TU Dublin BSc (Hons) Horticulture graduate Lee Geoghegan is the head gardener on site and is delighted to work towards invigorating the garden to its former glory."

The GLAS @ TU Dublin garden is based on a template developed successfully by Global Action Plan in Ballymun, where a Dublin City Council-supported community garden is used to facilitate social and cultural inclusion as well as environmental education.

Hans Zomer, CEO of Global Action Plan, the charity managing the garden, added: "We are excited to be able to offer this safe and inviting space for members of the communities here to come together, to discover the joys of growing fresh food and learning how to reconnect with nature. Our experience, and academic research, have shown that engaging people in social horticulture provides a unique starting point for people to discover linkages between food, health, biodiversity, and global issues such as climate change.

"We hope the GLAS @ TU Dublin community garden will serve as a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect with nature, connect with each other, and discover their power to make a difference."