Celbridge Hedgerow Restoration Project

On Thursday 18th August 2022 the HLAI welcomes a very special guest at 8pm.

On Thursday 18th August 2022, we were joined on our webinar by Sonja Moore, HLAI and Celbridge Heritage & River Catchment Association member.

In 2021, Sonja Moore and the Celbridge Heritage and River Catchment Association secured funding from Kildare County Council’s Climate Innovation Fund to restore a hedgerow in Derrybeg, Celbridge. They worked with the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland to identify the focus areas, management actions, and time line for the work. It was decided to fully remove the vegetation and re-plant as the hedge was severely neglected, gappy, and the hedgerow bushes were surpassed by singular elder trees. They conducted a biodiversity survey and analysed the hedgerow within the context of the surrounding area, for example, if there was potential to use it as a wildlife corridor. A team of local volunteers and hedgerow experts then removed all the ground brambles, cut away trees, and coppiced remaining hawthorns. They also planted native hedgerow plants and install rabbit-proof fencing to protect the whips. The social aspect of the project was a big benefit to the community! 

You can watch the project’s videos on YouTube:

The Work Begins: https://youtu.be/xXKQey-zuC0

Biodiversity & the Celbridge Hedge: https://youtu.be/BNl2l3ODplc

Celbridge Hedge Restoration: https://youtu.be/6M0KqIV7Wuk

Do you want to organise your own hedgerow restoration project? If so, the document below gives a quick run-down of key considerations. The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland would be delighted to support more projects, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any queries.