At GAP Ireland, we know that a patch of ground can be so much more than a lawn.
Over the past three years, the GLAS @ TU Dublin community garden has quietly transformed a half‑acre corner of the university’s Blanchardstown campus into a living classroom, a community hub and a beacon of inclusive climate action.
And in that time it has become woven into the fabric of Dublin 15 life: a place where we grow plants, as well as connections and confidence.
In the first six months of 2025, nearly a thousand visitors (960 in total) rolled up their sleeves at one of the 112 events that took place in our community garden.
From the quiet focus of our weekly open sessions – held every Monday, Thursday and Friday between 11 am and 1 pm – to the laughter of schoolchildren discovering compost, the garden buzzes with energy.
Planting the seeds of change
People of all ages and backgrounds are part of our community: students from local schools such as Ladyswell National School, Rath Dara Community College and Brian Boroimhe Irish School, along with people from local organisations such as Gheel, Praxis Care, Avista, the Central Remedial Clinic, St. Michael’s House, the ETB Gardening Group, as well as staff and students at TU Dublin.
Our hands‑on workshops have been another highlight. In the past few months, we have organised public events on a variety of themes, including how to construct raised beds, how to grow (and harvest) potatoes, and what it takes to “Compost Like a Pro”.
This year also saw the completion of our biodiversity pond, a potential focal point for frogs, dragonfly nymphs and aquatic plants. The pond complements our broader biodiversity efforts, which include hedgerows, a wild flower patch and pollinator friendly plants.
Corporate engagement has flourished alongside community participation. Five companies have sent volunteer teams to clear paths, remove weeds, construct raised beds, and do other general maintenance in the garden. Their days here have underscored how corporate citizenship can be a force for social inclusion and environmental education, as staff discover that “sustainability” goes far beyond recycling bins and bottles.
GLAS is more than a local project: it’s a model for grassroots change.
The GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden may still be young, but its impact is growing by the day.
Supported by Fingal County Council and TU Dublin, and co-funded through donations from companies such as AstraZeneca, Energia and Toast.org, the project continues to grow and thrive. Designed to welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities, the garden turns environmental education into an inclusive, hands-on experience for those often left out of sustainability conversations.
Each seed we sow, each workshop we host and each volunteer hour we log builds toward a sustainable future, rooted in community, inclusion and practical learning.
Whether you’re a curious first‑timer or a seasoned volunteer, there’s always room here.
Join us as we cultivate not just gardens, but connections, confidence and climate resilience!