'The President said she would visit us and she was true to her word' – Catherine Connolly visits Leitrim’s Organic Centre
President Catherine Connolly visited The Organic Centre in Leitrim, meeting staff, volunteers, service users and students during a tour of the 19-acre charity and social enterprise, before inviting representatives to Áras an Uachtaráin to plant an apple tree
The Organic Centre in Leitrim welcomed the 10th President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, on Thursday, July 30, during a visit to the charity and social enterprise.
The President toured the 19-acre site and met staff, volunteers and service users, as well as getting an insight into the range of activities taking place at the centre.
The Organic Centre, which has been in operation since 1995, works to increase knowledge and awareness about organic growing, biodiversity, climate change and food sovereignty, as well as sustainable energy.
President Connolly’s visit included meetings with children from the Green Shoots Parents and Toddler Group, a delegation from the centre’s Community Garden, and students and lecturer Phil Wheal from the MSLETB Organic Horticulture course, who were seed sowing and pulling carrots.
The President was also shown some of the sustainable skills and heritage crafts supported by the centre, including a dry stone wall demonstration by tutor Ronan Crehan, willow weaving with Tom O’Brien and Ciara Smith, and wool spinning with tutor Eimear O’Neill.
As well as operating a shop and hosting events and tours, The Organic Centre provides courses in growing, sustainable skills and heritage skills.
During her visit, President Connolly also viewed the centre’s iconic grass roof building, which is made with cedar wood.
The President said the smell of the cedar reminded her of her youth, as her father was a carpenter.
President Connolly had previously met representatives of The Organic Centre during her campaign and again during a visit to Sligo Rovers in January, where she sampled the centre’s own apple juice, produced from its orchard.
The Organic Centre also partners with Sligo Rovers through a seasonal vegetable box scheme. During those earlier meetings, President Connolly promised she would visit the charity.
General Manager of The Organic Centre, Stephen Campbell, said he was delighted to host the President.
“The President said she would visit us and she was true to her word. We are honoured to have her, she has always had a strong track record advocating for the environment and seemed genuinely interested with the work we do. She was so generous and had time for everyone, to sit and chat to all,” he said.
“I am proud that the Centre looked so well. It is a credit to the hard work of all our team—staff and volunteers alike—in getting it ready for such a special occasion.”
Knowing of President Connolly’s love of apple juice, staff presented her with an apple tree.
The visit also resulted in an invitation for staff from The Organic Centre to visit Áras an Uachtaráin in the autumn to plant the tree in the grounds of the President’s residence.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to continue our blossoming relationship with the President. A small delegation from The Organic Centre will visit Áras an Uachtaráin to plant the tree, and we are really looking forward to it,” said Stephen Campbell.