Potato Day is back at the Organic Centre in Leitrim

The Organic Centres very own Potato Day is back on Sunday, March 5 from 12-4pm, and once again it is free entry to the public.

Get a chance to step back in time with the buzz of its onsite market of craft and food, and demonstrations from expert craftspeople including wood turning, stone carving and willow weaving.

The centre will be launching its new seed collection, and sharing the word on how out of the challenges of Brexit and Covid, they have come back to be providing one of the biggest and diverse organic seed collections in the country.

Dervilla Keegan from the Organic Centre says “This really is a good news story, that out of adversity something so positive now has happened and we have the beginnings of a thriving enterprise that has the capacity of generating local jobs, processing and packaging seeds to supply all of Ireland.

“We are looking forward to hearing more from Wesley Harding our “Produce and Development Officer” on the day about the journey of the new project.”

The Organic Centre will have potato themed talks and tours.

Demos will include old friends from The Loy Association of Ireland exhibiting the historic tradition of turning the sod for potato growing.

There will be a demonstration and talk by the inspiring Paula Heatley on the potato based delight of Boxty which hails from regional counties like Leitrim and Cavan.

Browse the groundbreaking “Leitrim Women through Time” 1850-1950 Exhibition telling the stories of everyday Leitrim women from the past.

The exhibition came from a collaborative heritage project by the North Leitrim Women’s Centre and Scéal Heritage, supported by The Heritage Council 2022.

Dervilla Keegan added “We will be joined by an incredible array of many female All Ireland champions as we witness the old tradition of planting potatoes using the Loy, we are also honoured and it is timely to welcome the inspiring “Leitrim Women through Time” exhibition, bringing forward the voices of many women hidden for so long in our local and National history, on our farms and industry and family life.

“On the day the shop will be buzzing with potato seeds (and much more) for sale, and there will be craft, eco and book sections as well as gardening produce and equipment.

“There will be an opportunity to catch a free tour of the centre, and relax with some music.

“Children’s workshops means there'll be plenty to entertain the younger members of the family. They will get a chance to enjoy the sustainable wooden games of old with Steffi Otto, be amazed as the centre welcomes an on-site magician or join in arts and craft with art therapist Anna Mulvihill.”

And as those who know and love the event, it will be all things potato on the menu in the Grass Roof Cafe with the centre’s resident up and coming inspiring young chef Thien Laitenberger.

The event is Free Entry.