Rooted in history, this community garden blossomed from the Sisters of Mercy’s legacy.
The story of the gardens first began in 1837, with the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy to Carlow Town to educate and ease the poverty of the local people when they established a school and convent here.
Fast forward almost two hundred years and in 2014 this two-acre site was made available by the Sisters to create a green space in the heart of the town. Groups and volunteers have nurtured and developed this site as a sustainable, organic area known as “An Gairdín Beo”. Now, some ten years later it is a vibrant community garden, a place where people meet, get close to nature, grow food together and protect the environment. A core aim is to promote the development of a sustainable, thriving and resilient community.
An Gairdín Beo Community Garden
Nurturing Community Connections
At its core, the garden serves as a hub for community engagement, offering a space for people to connect, cultivate, reap and protect the environment together. Through gardening activities, the garden promotes inclusivity, collaborative management, and a shared respect for nature and biodiversity, echoing the heritage of its predecessors.
Gardening Naturally with June Blake
- Date: 27 Jul 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Renowned plantswoman June Blake brings her unique insights to this year’s Carlow Garden Festival with a special workshop entitled Gardening Naturally, hosted at the community-driven An Gairdín Beo. Known for her innovative and organic approach to gardening at her celebrated garden in County Wicklow, June will share practical and philosophical perspectives on working in harmony with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Opening Times
Monday-Friday 9.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday by arrangement.
ADMISSION:
Free
DIRECTIONS:
In Carlow Town on the Old Dublin Road
