Big woof and wow for the gardens

A special summer highlight in the Fairgreen Community Gardens doesn’t have much to do with gardening. Yet the members are just as excited to prepare for the fouth annual Dog Show as with any other activity. With categories ranging from ‘Best Dressed’ to ‘Best Trained’, and official judges on hand, this much-loved event is more than just a day for dog lovers — it’s a community event, promises chairperson Teresa Walsh.

This year’s show is expected to attract around 30 dogs, all hoping to win medals, rosettes, and — for their proud owners — bragging rights to last the year. As Teresa explains: “They’ll come back the next year to rewin it.”

The competition, which takes place this Bank Holiday Monday, August 4, even boasts a furry mascot, Buttons, who’s become something of a local celebrity, appearing in parades and garden events alike.

But the dog show is just one point of attraction. The day will be packed with family fun including music, a raffle, a BBQ, a bouncy castle, and a car boot sale. Funds raised help support the garden’s maintenance and expansion — whether it’s adding new raised beds, funding a new polytunnel, or purchasing tools. For those looking to get involved, details are available on the group’s Facebook page.

Established in 2012 on a former dumping ground on the slopes of Gallows Hill, Fairgreen Community Gardens has blossomed into a vibrant, inclusive space thanks to the tireless work of volunteers like Teresa Walsh and co-founder Ann Marie Johnston. With the help of the Public Participation Network (PPN), the Cavan County Council offered the land and kickstarted what has become a deeply rooted local initiative.

The garden now features fruit bushes, raised beds — some of which are cleverly built into painted tractor tyres for accessibility — and a haven known as the ‘Peace Garden’ where visitors can relax and disconnect from the town’s bustle.

The space also plays host to a variety of events and learning opportunities. From hands-on workshops about composting and wormeries to seasonal classes like Easter flower arranging and Christmas wreath-making, Fairgreen is not only a garden — it’s a classroom. A newly launched educational space is now home to CMETB’s level one and two horticulture courses, offering students practical experience to complement their lessons. In the spirit of sustainability, Fairgreen recently received a grant to install solar panels and promote biodiversity, furthering its commitment to the circular economy.

Soon, Fairgreen Gardens will also have a tea room for warmth, rest and connection: The Credit Union Cavan in conjunction with Cosycabins.ie log cabins have supplied funding towards a new tea room and kitchen within the Fairgreen Gardens. The new space will be crafted with sustainability at its core — using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient features that reflect the community gardens’ commitment.

The garden is a cultural mosaic as well, with members from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Africa, Pakistan, Tonga, Romania, Ukraine, and Ireland, each tending their own plots for an annual fee of just €15. Their contributions are not only botanical but deeply personal — a Romanian member has planted a wide array of flowers, and an elderly woman donated blooms before moving into a nursing home.

Whether you’re there for the dogs, the gardening tips, or the community spirit, Fairgreen Community Gardens is a thriving example of what can grow when people come together with a shared vision.