New community garden and allotments officially launched in Longford Town

44 affordable allotments will support local food growing, biodiversity & community connection

The Longford Town Community Allotments were officially launched last week promising a new garden and allotment space to support local food growing, biodiversity and community connection. 
The event took place during Ireland’s 10^th Climate Action Week and marked the beginning of a major community-led project on a previously unused two-acre site off the old Dublin Road at Aghadegnan, Longford Town.
The site has 44 allotments available to individuals and community groups for a small annual fee. It offers people a place to grow fresh food, learn practical skills and meet others from across the community.
The project is a collaboration between Longford County Council’s Climate Action Team, Longford Community Resources CLG and the Longford Town Community Allotment Committee.
The official launch was organised by the Longford Town Community Allotment Committee, chaired by Andy Smith, with support from Edel Kelly of Longford Community Resources and Bernard Shea, Aisling Murphy, and Gary Brady from Longford County Council’s Climate Action Team. 
The project received funding from the Housing Finance Agency, the Local Environmental Action Fund, and the Longford Town Decarbonisation Zone Demonstrator Fund. The Housing Finance Agency’s Social Investment Fund supports projects that improve neighbourhoods, promote inclusion, and improve quality of life. 
The allotments and community garden were designed by landscape architect Gillian Ní Chaiside of Faoin Aer Landscape Studio. When fully completed it will feature 44 allotment plots, a polytunnel, community space, a compost toilet, raised beds and a compost station.
Discussions for the idea of a community allotment began in autumn 2025. Following public consultation, a suitable council-owned site was identified, and site clearance began towards the end of that year.
The Longford Town Community Allotment Committee was formed in February 2026, with Andy Smith appointed as Chairperson. Plot holders began cultivating the site in mid to late May.
Within months, the allotments reached near-full capacity, and the first crops were harvested earlier this year. Many gardeners prepared their plots for winter planting with beetroots, cabbages, garlic, broccoli, and celery all now in full bloom.
The allotments will help people grow some of their own food and learn more about seeds, soil, planting, and seasonal produce. They will also provide a shared space for skill-sharing, community activity and learning between generations.
The wider aims of the project include better access to fresh food, improved wellbeing, support for pollinators and biodiversity, and a stronger sense of community. These aims reflect the original vision for an inclusive space where people can grow food, share knowledge and build connections. 
Officially launching the community garden and allotment project the, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Mark Casey said, “These allotments are a valuable addition to Longford Town. They give individuals, families, and community groups an affordable place to grow fresh food, learn new skills and spend time outdoors.
“The plots may be separate, but the purpose of the site is shared. It is about bringing people together, passing knowledge from one generation to the next and making practical climate action part of everyday life. I congratulate everyone involved in taking this project from an idea to a productive community space in such a short period.”
Chief Executive of Longford County Council Samantha Healy said, “The Longford Town Community Allotments show how an unused site can be put to work for the benefit of the whole community. This project supports local food growing, biodiversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. It will also give residents who may not have access to a garden the opportunity to grow their own produce. Its early success reflects the strong partnership between the local community, Longford Community Resources and the Council’s Climate Action Team. I thank the funders, project partners, committee members, and plot holders who have made it possible.”
The project supports the aims of Longford County Council’s Climate Action and Biodiversity Plans by bringing environmental action and social connection together in one shared space. 
Individuals or groups interested in finding out more about Longford Town Community Allotments can email climateaction@longfordcoco.ie or ekelly@lcrl.ie for more information.