Every year, National Heritage Week offers us a chance to revisit and renew our connection to Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage. This is a particularly special opportunity for us at Hedgerows Ireland, as it helps us highlight an often-overlooked aspect of hedgerow conservation.
Our focus is most often on the environmental and biodiversity benefits of traditional hedgerow management, given the immediacy and urgency of these concerns. But that’s really only half the story. There’s immense cultural and historical wealth woven into the Irish hedgerow. From ancient fairy folklore to the rebellious history 17th century “hedge schools”, from the ancestral knowledge and regionally-specialised tools of traditional hedge layers to treasured childhood memories of berry picking, these green corridors are an irreplaceable part of this island heritage.
So join us this Heritage week to celebrate the many gifts and stories our hedgerows hold for us. You can see what’s happening, learn where you can come meet us, or sign up for a hedgerow walk on our Events page.