Press Release: 2026 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Chamionships

Press Release: Friday, 11th September 2026

Kildare event to celebrate traditional rural skills and native hedgerows

The All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships welcome spectators to Monasterevin on Saturday 26th September 2026.

The All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships return to Co. Kildare on Saturday, 26th September 2026 at Oghil, Monasterevin, W34 RF89 (Exit the M7 at Junction 14). This family-friendly event will be open to spectators from 10am to 4 pm. It is free to attend and you do not need to register.

Hedge laying is a traditional rural skill practised for generations across the island of Ireland. It rejuvenates hedgerows by cutting and laying stems to promote new growth and close gaps. Once practised widely, this almost lost skill is making a comeback as the ideal way to manage and restore our valuable hedgerows for biodiversity. Come and see expert hedge layers compete for the All-Ireland trophy! There will also be guided walks about native hedgerow planting and management.

The event will feature a host of local and national artists and makers with a focus on handmade crafts and sustainability! You will find stalls with willow weaving, copper smithing, stained glass, beekeeping, and more. Highlights include the Bemusement Games by Fuinseog Woodland Crafts and demonstrations from Eoin Reardon (@pintofplane), log hewing with Mícheál (@fiach.rua_timbercraft), and chainsaw carving by tree sculptor Owen Crawford.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a reusable cup for tea or coffee to minimise waste.

Learn more about the Hedge Laying Championships: www.hedgerows.ie/hedge-laying-championships.

Hedgerows Ireland CLG
info@hedgerows.ie
+353 86 302 8790

Media Gallery: Photographs to download and use in online or print publications.

Hawthorn hedge being rejuvenated at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A person in a blue shirt and orange helmet laying a hedge using an axe. In the background, there is a grassy field and trees.

Hedge layer using an axe to lay a Hawthorn stem at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A person in a striped navy top and a cap weaving binders in between stems on a laid hawthorn hedge. In the background, there is a grassy hill with hedgerows and a white house.

Richard Markham adding binders at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A person (black trousers and t-shirt and orange hi-vis helmet) laying a hedgerow with brash from the hawthorn tree with red haws in the foreground.

Robert Hogg at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships

Our judges, Russell Woodham (brown trousers, white shirt, blue gilet) and Roger Parris (green wellies, black trousers, green jacket, paddy cap, grey beard), assess each competitor's stretch of laid hedge. They're standing in front of a laid hedge with stakes and binders. In the background is a treeline and a hill with hedgerows.

Judges assessing competition hedge at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A person (green cap, green t-shirt, black trousers) is sharpening a stake with a billhook on a stubble field. There is a laid hedge in the background.

Competitor sharpening a hazel stake at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A person in a blue coat and trousers and safety glasses laying a hedge. In the background there are grassy fields with hedgerows and white houses.

Mark McDowell at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A person in a green t-shirt, black trousers and grey gloves sharpening an axe on a stubble field. There are people standing watching in the background.

Eamonn McLoughlin sharpening his tools at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

A hedge layer using a wooden mallet to put in a stake in a laid hedge.

Staked & Bound Hedge; 2024 & 2025 Champion, Brendan Reddin.

Two donkeys pulling brash from the hedgerow along a stubble field with two people in paddy caps walking behind. In the background, there are people standing watching hedge layers work on their section of the hedgerow.

Donkeys moving brash at the 2023 All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championships.

Hand tools for hedge laying in front of a laid hedge.

Haws / Hawthorn berries on a native hedgerow.

Berries on a spindle tree, a great native hedgerow species.