Native fruits at the core of Clonakilty’s orchard plans

A community orchard containing native Cork apples is to be planted in Clonakilty in a colourful project also aims to set strawberries, herbs, and vegetables in local green areas.

The apple orchard will be planted behind the county council-run Deasy’s Car Park in the town centre.

Kerrie Liao, a founding member of the Clonakilty Growery group, said the land has been allocated by Cork County Council for the new project.

Ms Liao, wife of entrepreneur, social networking pioneer, and CoderDojo co-founder Bill, said: “There is an apple called the Molly Apple which is native to Cork — it’s a little red apple — and I would include that if possible.

“They are giving us a north-facing site — we don’t know exactly the scope of the land yet.”.

The group is planning to hold a public meeting on the issue in the coming weeks.

“It will be very much a community orchard, but we have to wait and first make sure we have all the details of the land, and what is involved,” said Ms Liao.

However, for the Clonakilty Growery, which comprises a core group of about seven volunteers, the apple orchard will just be the beginning.

The group is also interested in demonstrating its members’ green-fingered skills, working with old orchards, traditional walled gardens and poly-tunnels — and even, down the road, in green spaces in the town centre.

“Down the road, and in conjunction with Clonakilty Tidy Towns, we’d love to see vegetables, herbs, strawberries and other soft fruit being planted in green areas in the town centre,” said Ms Liao.