We had a beautiful day on the annual Community Gardens Cycle.This year the focus was on Biodiversity. We co-organised with the fantastic green-fingered folk at Dublin Community Growers (DCG) and the ride, on Saturday 24th of May 2025, was a huge success. It took place as part of Biodiversity Week and Bike Week and was funded by the Irish Environmental Network.

This year there was only one route, around the northside. We all arrived at Mud Island Community Garden in North Strand at around 11am and we were welcomed by Maeve and Nathalie from Mud Island Community Garden. Nathalie spoke about the story of Mud Island Community garden and current projects and initiatives. About 28 cyclists joined us.

We cycled from Mud Island Community Garden to Raheny Community garden and Jill gave a talk and we walked around Raheny Community Garden. We arrived at Mucky Lane and met Aaron Foley, Biodiversity Officer with DCG, who gave an inspiring, deeply-researched talk about urban biodiversity, history and the role of urban gardens in protecting biodiversity, building small ponds and planting native wildflowers. Finally cycled to Killester Blooms Community Gardens where Street Feast was in full swing, with live music and delicious food going.

Thanks to Dublin cycling Campaign stewards Will, Hugh,Colm, Ciaran Claire, Hugh, Martin, Miren-Maialen and Ciaran and all hosts in the Community Gardens, Maeve and Nathalie from Mud Island Community garden, Jill from Raheny Community Garden, to Tom and Aaron from Mucky Lane and specially Aaron for the great talk on Biodiversity. Finally thanks to Paul to everyone at Killester Bloom Community Garden for such a great welcome at Street Feast with live music and great food. Special thanks to Ciaran Chair of Dublin Community Growers for his help with the cycle and arranging the food.

A great event (and thanks to IEN for the financial support!)

Article written by Miren-Maialen