Peter Dowdall discusses a UCC report on urban agriculture and community gardens

Cork has long been a centre of education, with some of the finest schools and third-level institutions in the country. 

Cork also has a long history in food and food production and was home andwas home to Ireland’s first botanical gardens.

Established in 1808 by the Royal Cork Institution on the site of what is now St Joseph’s Cemetery in Ballyphehane, Scottish botanist James Drummond was the sole curator of the gardens, which closed some 20 years later due to lack of money.