The Organic Centre's very own Potato Day is back on Sunday, March 5 from 12-4pm, and once again it is free entry to the public. It has always been a draw for those wishing to travel for a great day out.
Get a chance to step back in time with the buzz of its onsite market of craft and food, and demonstrations from expert craftspeople including wood turning, stone carving and willow weaving from Fermanagh’s own Ciara Smith.
The centre will be launching its new seed collection, and sharing the word on how out of the challenges of Brexit and Covid, they have come back to be providing one of the biggest and diverse organic seed collections in the country.
They are especially delighted to have award winning garden designer and best selling author Leonie Cornelius of wild eden design, who will be launching the project.
Dervilla Keegan from the Organic Centre said: “This really is a good news story, that out of adversity something so positive now has happened and we have the beginnings of a thriving enterprise that has the capacity of generating local jobs, processing and packaging seeds to supply all of ireland.
"We are delighted to have long time friend of the Organic Centre, Leonie Cornelius with us on the day, and we are also looking forward to hearing more from Wesley Harding our Produce and Development Officer about the journey of the new project.”
The Organic Centre will have potato themed talks and tours. Demos will include old friends from The Loy Association of Ireland exhibiting the historic tradition of turning the sod for potato growing.
There will be a demonstration and talk by the inspiring Paula Heatley on the potato based delight of Boxty which hails from the North West.
Browse the groundbreaking 'Leitrim Women through Time' 1850-1950 Exhibition telling the stories of everyday Leitrim women from the past.
The exhibition came from a collaborative heritage project by the North Leitrim Women’s Centre and Scéal Heritage, supported by The Heritage Council 2022.
Dervilla Keegan added:“We will be joined by a number of female all ireland champions some hailing from Sligo and Donegal as we witness the old tradition of planting potatoes using the Loy.
"We are also honoured and it is timely to welcome the inspiring 'Leitrim Women through Time' exhibition, bringing forward the voices of many women hidden for so long from our local and National history, within our farms and industry and family life."
On the day the shop will be buzzing with potato seeds (and much more) for sale, and there will be craft, eco and book sections as well as gardening produce and equipment.
There will be an opportunity to catch a free tour of the centre, and relax with some music.
Children’s workshops means there'll be plenty to entertain the younger members of the family. They will get a chance to enjoy the sustainable wooden games of old with Steffi Otto, be amazed as the centre welcomes an on-site magician or join in arts and craft with art therapist Anna Mulvihill.
And as those who know and love the event, it will be all things potato on the menu in the Grass Roof Cafe with the centre’s resident up and coming inspiring young chef, Thien Laitenberger
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