Mayor tours Hydro Farm Allotments in Tower

THE Lord Mayor recently enjoyed a trip to the Hydro Farm Allotments in Tower, which ran a special programme hosted by Zwena McCullough on September 23.

Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy was shown the colourful allotments before he was taken on a historical trip from the foundations of St Ann’s Hydro to the present day.

Local historians Joe O’Leary and Sinead McSweeney shared PowerPoint presentations on the construction of the Hydro and the Turkish Baths by Dr Richard Barter in the 19th Century and some of the famous people who visited and stayed in St Ann’s Hydro.

Dr Barter, who was a pioneer in the medical field, dedicated his life to the well-being of his patients. He went to enormous lengths and expense to perfect treatments for cholera, TB, and other ailments.

The Hydro Farm Allotments were founded in 2000 as a millennium project to bring back people on to the farm all year around.

It was also established to create a community of supportive people from all backgrounds, in keeping with the traditions and foundations of St Ann’s Hydro, which was one of healing and wellness.

Ms McCullough said they were thrilled to have the Lord Mayor visit.

“It was such a pleasure to have the Lord Mayor visit. We look forward to having him visit us again in 2024 when the gardens are full of new growth,” she said.

“The Lord Mayor was very impressed by how much the allotment had grown over the years since he last visited. At the moment it is the rewilding time of the year as most of the crops have been harvested. We had wonderful and abundant harvests this year.”

The Lord Mayor said that Hydro Farm Allotments should showcase their allotments. He added that Cork City Council was keen to develop new community allotments in the city and said they will look to mirror the success of the allotments in Tower.

The Hydro Farm Allotments currently have over 100 members, including people from five continents with each person bringing new expertise on growing methods and new plants.

There are courses on growing fruits and vegetables, and there are opportunities to share seeds, plants, and harvests with family members, friends, and with each other.