First Urban Farm Opens in Dublin City

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, officially opened Dublin city’s first urban farm in St. Anne’s Park, Raheny at the end of April.

The farm, which is free to visit is open to the public five days a week all year round, is typical of community-led farms in other international cities in that it is entirely run by volunteers from the local community on a non-profit basis.

In Dublin City Farm, volunteers manage and care for the animals, which include two pigs, mine chickens, three goats, a guinea pig and Moses the pony.

The ethos of St Anne’s City Farm is not to be a ‘petting farm’ but a place where people can learn first-hand about animal husbandry, growing food, cooking food, sustainable living and reconnecting with nature.

Lord Mayor Nial Ring said “the opening of the first City Farm in St. Anne’s Park will be an incredible amenity for the local community and Dublin city. The farm will give children and adults from the city an opportunity to learn about raising animals, growing food and seeing other farm based activities in an urban setting. The farm adds yet another brilliant amenity to the wonderful recreational facilities that already exist in St. Anne’s Park and we should all congratulate Dublin City Council and the volunteers who gave such commitment to ensuring the delivery of this great project. I mo thuairimse, támuid ar mhuin na muice leis an bhfeirm nua seo.”

St Anne’s City Farm is a perfect fit with the objective of Dublin City Council’s Parks Service to facilitate a greater engagement with the local community and in particular St Anne’s Park, where the farm will complement the adjacent allotments.

The farm also includes the new Raheny men’s shed, which will be a valuable resource to the future of the farm.

Marion Kelly from St Anne’s City Farm said, “The farm follows in the footsteps of other community farms in London like Hackney city farm and Spitalfields city farm. We believe that every child and grown up should have access to a garden and that everyone in the garden is equal. By providing a safe and open space for people to share what they know and learn from others, we strive to empower people through knowledge and creating. We are so excited to open our doors.”