“My wife and I decided to take an allotment in late 2014. After looking at a number of locations in the Dublin 15 area we chose Beech Park Allotments.

Only a mile from our home we can easily be there in 15 minutes if we take a walk along Royal Canal. Whilst being located beside Clonsilla train station it has a real feeling of being in the countryside.

We opted for a 20m x 8m site and with no pervious experience got stuck in. Receiving plenty of advice from our seasoned neighbors and swapping seeds and cuttings we were soon part of the family.
Ray McDermott the allotment manager is hands-on, and with a nod from his tractor window, quick as a flash he’ll deliver compost or manure to you.

Since the arrival of our first child last April, aptly at the start of the growing season, we can be seen most weekends planting, weeding or simply relaxing on our plot with baby in toe.
We have managed to put a small shed, fruit cage and some raised beds in and are currently building a potting greenhouse.

For us the allotment is not only a space for growing but also a family space!
We plan to keep the allotment long term and are looking at taking up beekeeping at Beech Park Allotments.”

Bernard and Yen Lynch (Baby Alice)