The garden in Richmond Barracks is a communal green space for nature and humans to grow together.
Since 2020, Eco-Gardener Polly Rowley-Sams has looked after the garden. Her role focuses on developing the biodiversity of the garden, helping people learn about eco-gardening through a year-round programme of workshops and activities, and ongoing support of the community gardeners who have plots in the Richmond Barracks garden.
You can see our full programme of garden activities on our What's On page.
An admiral butterfly on a purple flower
Eco-gardening and biodiversity
The Richmond Barracks garden forms part of an ‘ecological corridor’ that connects the Grand Canal to the South, and the River Liffey and Phoenix Park to the North. This important green space helps insects, birds and mammals move safely through the landscape of the city of Dublin.
Over the years, Polly has focused on developing garden projects and habitats that support wildlife on these journeys. For example, she has added small nature ponds throughout the garden that provide somewhere for them to rest and have a drink. We also have bird boxes and a bat box, and bee hives (see below).
We champion best practice in supporting biodiversity and follow the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan. We plant for pollinators, adding in native Irish species and improving garden design, with the protection and creation of habitats consistently at the forefront. We have a pair of Langstrath beehives with two colonies of native Irish black bees that are looked after by Joan the beekeeper. We do not use pesticides, and we are continually composting and water harvesting.
Hedgerows, plants and blooming flowers in the garden
The garden is blooming at the moment with beautiful flowers and plants popping up. It’s a lovely time to get involved in some of our garden workshops or community gardening. There are activities (all free) for all ages to enjoy.
You'll see an update from Polly about the garden below. Remember, you can always just pop in and spend some time in the garden during our opening hours - Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
'The Island of the Berries' - that’s how the area around Richmond Barracks was once known, something I’m reminded of as our community garden continues to grow. Whether it’s raspberries or raised beds, it’s great seeing the community gardeners here in Richmond Barracks getting busy again with such a sense of pride and place.
Of equal importance are the many non-human visitors to the garden and it’s fascinating what you can spot.
Speaking of spots, Spring 2026 has brought a multitude of seven-spotted ladybirds into the garden. April is when they are actively seeking food, and because a lone ladybird can eat up to 5,000 greenflies (aphids) a year, they are a truly natural pest control, which is good news for gardeners.
"Sightings like these are a great sign for birds, pollinators and other wildlife, and activate the garden as a stepping stone ecological corridor linking The River Liffey to the Grand Canal.
- Polly
Polly teaching a group of people in an eco-gardening workshop at Richmond Barracks
The community garden is an area with both raised and low beds where people can try growing their own vegetables and herbs. No experience in gardening is necessary and Polly is on hand to help with advice.
Sorcha Hackett, a teacher at Mercy Secondary School, Inchicore comes to the community garden with some of her students. Here’s what she has said about the students getting involved in community gardening at Richmond Barracks:
“Just teaching them the relationship between nature and everything they eat and products they use is very important. And just for them to have that patience watching something grow”.
If you would like to find out more about getting involved in community gardening, you can contact us on 01 524 2532 or email Polly at ecogardener@richmondbarracks.ie
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Posted 22 Aibreán 2026
Tagged with: News