This was the Tree Festival’s third year, and the first at which GreenFriends Ireland had a stall for the day. This Greystones event is growing in scope and popularity from year to year, and proved again in 2023 to be a wonderful, sustainable, awareness-raising, fun, community day out.
Many thanks to all the GreenFriends members – especially Jane, who is founder and promoter of this event, as well as being founder of 80Max.ie – who came together to help organise and support many aspects of this uplifting and successful gathering.
At the GreenFriends’ stand, we had a busy day signing people up for our April/May/June GetGrowing courses, letting people know about our activities locally and around the country, and engaging with landowners who we may be able to partner with to plant native trees on their land.
Geraldine shared her enthusiasm about biodiversity and her great knowledge of growing and propagating pollinator plants in Ireland. Ger offered sample seeds for visitors to plant in their gardens at home.
Though we were busy at the GreenFriends stand, we took turns to mingle and enjoy all that was on offer throughout the day: music, singing and dance, delicious food, a Birds of Prey show, free archery lessons, storytelling, pottery demonstrations, a treasure hunt for the children, a wildlife trail and so much more! Plastic was banned from the festival, and it was great to know that all local businesses participating at the event were invited because they operate sustainable practices.
3000 saplings were distributed free at the event, some of which had been grown from seed collected locally.
