Geodome unveiled at Cork city International Garden

A GARDENING project aimed at providing a safe space for those living in direct provision, which has blossomed from a few allotments to a full-size geodesic dome a year later, has been launched in Ballintemple.

An initiative of the Cork Migrant Centre, the Plantopia geodome can be found at the International Garden at Ardfoyle Convent in Ballintemple.

The launch event was hosted by Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork, who described Plantopia as a “very important initiative to bring people together, in particular people from migrant backgrounds”.

“The social inclusion element of the project is absolutely fantastic — I know there were people from different nationalities working on the project, and that it was a key project of the Cork migrant project at the Nano Nagle Centre,” he said.

During the launch, the lord mayor interviewed Naomi Mascheti of the Cork Migrant Centre for social media platforms. Mascheti said the international garden was of vital importance, as it encouraged families to get out and about.

“Normally we work with families who are living in the direct provision centres, and getting them out here gets them out for a walk, and they can get good food in solidarity with the local communities and they can make social connections,” said Ms Mascheti.

The geodome itself was a donation and was moved from its original location in Mahon to its new home after a great deal of work by volunteers.

Made from recycled materials, it is being offered as a space to grow tropical plants and vegetables that would not survive or thrive in the Irish climate.

The garden has also been described as a place where migrant women can network with collaborators, volunteers, and the local community and bring a taste of home to their tables, bridging the gap between their home and adopted countries.

The International Garden Project has been created in collaboration with SHEP, the SMA, Horticulture LTI, Green Spaces for Health, community gardaí, Cork City Council social inclusion office, Johnson Controls, Apple, Dell, and the resident sisters at Ardfoyle Convent where the garden is located.

Nano Nagle Place CEO John Smith said it was proud to be associated with the International Garden.

“By providing a safe space for families living in direct provision centres and for newly arrived families from Ukraine, the project resonates with what Nano Nagle stood for,” he said.

“Collaboration is at the heart of the project, and in my view is the foundation of its success in creating an enabling environment, where participants get to grow food from their own countries and engage with each other and members of the local community at the same time.”