Official Opening of the Stephen Marsh Heritage Orchard

Join the Irish Seed Savers Association for the official opening of the Stephen Marsh Heritage Orchard, established in honour of Stephen (Steve) Marsh in recognition of his lifelong dedication to preserving Ireland's horticultural heritage.

This special event celebrates Steve's enduring legacy and the vital importance of conserving Ireland's traditional fruit varieties and historic orchard landscapes. The official orchard dedication will be followed by an introduction to the role of heritage orchards in protecting biodiversity, conserving traditional fruit varieties, and sustaining the living knowledge, skills, and cultural traditions associated with orchards. Visitors will also learn about the Irish Seed Savers Association's work to conserve rare and traditional Irish fruit collections, ensuring this rich horticultural heritage is passed on to future generations.

Following the ceremony, guests are invited to explore the gardens and orchards on a self-guided tour of the site. In the afternoon, there will be a screening of Tommy Hayes' documentary film, The Garden Where the Praties Grow, which celebrates Ireland's rich agricultural heritage and highlights the importance of preserving traditional food crops for future generations and features Steve Marsh, acknowledging the role he played in the collection.

Whether your interest is biodiversity, gardening, local history, or Ireland's horticultural traditions, this event offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the country's most important living collections of traditional Irish fruit varieties, celebrate our orchard heritage, and connect with others who are passionate about protecting our shared natural and cultural heritage.