Headford Orchard Mapping Project; Identifying and tasting varieties

Hosted by Headford Environment Group, this presentation features a selection of apples collected from various ancient orchards located as part of "Headford Orchard Mapping Project" which was initiated in Spring 2026.
It will also cover the background to the project, documentation of local orchards and the concept of establising local "Conservation Orchards". Each individual tree has it's own unique story.
As part of the project, local orchards and walled gardens discovered through 19th Century OSI maps were visited and a selection of 30 apple trees were grafted from various individual trees. As no fruit was seen at the time during Spring, the oldest trees discovered were saved and propagated through grafting.
Samples of fruit have been collected and will be on display for identification, and also the opportunity to taste the unique flavours of these varieties.

The mapping project involved surveying 19th Century OSI maps to locate walled gardens and orchards from that time, and comparing them against current satelitte imagery in order to find surviving orchards. Locations were then pinned, which Cillian and volunteers visited to collect graftwood and document the trees that were discovered.
A grafting workshop took place using scion wood from the old trees. In 2027 young trees will be planted locally.
The initiative is a community engaged pilot project in establising "Conservation Orchards", which preserve local varieties within their own region.
The public is invited to bring along samples of apples that they would like help in identifying.

Acknowledgements to Galway County Council for funding.

086 2684372 Cillian Boyd