“The Glasshouses” as it is known locally, is run by Cill Ulta as a horticultural project which uses organic methods to produce high quality fruit, vegetables and herbs, made available to the local community through shops, restaurants, a box scheme, and plant sales. Currently, Údarás na Gaeltachta lease the site to Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha CTR and facilitate the ongoing development of the centre through the Rural Social Scheme administered by POBAL on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. L.A.N. Ctr. continues to run this horticultural project using organic methods to produce herbs and vegetables of the highest quality. It is assisted by the Community Services Programme (CSP) administered by POBAL on behalf of the government.
For more than 20 years, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Cill Ulta have utilized a diversity of approaches to tackle these key issues, resulting in a considerable collaborative network of businesses, government bodies, social enterprises, community cooperatives, and academic authorities. The project will benefit from collaboration with:
ATU (Sligo’s Innovation Unit) together with The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) has enlisted Cill Ulta as the official County Mentor for County Donegal. In addition to completing an Energy Masterplan for the region, Cill Ulta also supports the creation and execution of Smarter Energy Communities across the northwest, delivering tangible solutions and assists in the provision of expert guidance in the conservation, sustainable generation, and responsible use of Irish energy resources.
ATU (Sligo’s Innovation Unit) together with The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) has enlisted Cill Ulta as the official County Mentor for County Donegal. In addition to completing an Energy Masterplan for the region, Cill Ulta also supports the creation and execution of Smarter Energy Communities across the northwest, delivering tangible solutions and assists in the provision of expert guidance in the conservation, sustainable generation, and responsible use of Irish energy resources.
The Community Foundation for Ireland (CFI) has awarded Cill Ulta funding to deliver a Community Biodiversity Action Plan for the local townland. Cill Ulta is liaising with the community while an internationally renowned ecologist is surveying and classifying the area’s habitats. In collaboration with the residents and Cill Ulta, the ecologist is developing a Biodiversity Action Plan to address the specific, relevant, and urgent needs of the townland. It is envisaged that this plan will then be implemented in 2021, increasing biodiversity awareness in the region and improving ecological health.
Food Shield is a collaborative project between DAFM; Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA); Ireland’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc); University College Dublin (UCD); and Queen’s University Belfast. It aims to map the entirety of Ireland’s food sector and develop digital track-and-trace technology from farm-to-fork, creating adaptability and resilience in the sector in the face of pandemics, Brexit, and emerging climate legislation. Food Shield is working with Cill Ulta to develop a northwest hub of innovative and progressive food industry businesses which will supply data to this pilot project.
Delivering a work experience programme (Preab san Úr) for local youth with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta, providing a cross-generational knowledge transfer and cultivating awareness and interest in sustainable horticulture, biodiversity, agriculture, teanga & béaloideas (Irish Language & heritage).
Collaborating with UCD’s Agricultural Research Programme -studying heritage genetics of modern cereal crops, refreshing the genome to provide healthier, more resilient grains. This research will focus on Farm to Fork, investigating the relationship between soil health, plant health, and gut health. o As a founding partner, IT SLIGO (as it transitions with LYIT and GMIT into Connaught Ulster TU) and through its work with SEAI has committed to a range of initiatives and programmes including module training from the Sustainable Technologies Degree and creating a strategic partnership to develop routes to employment, internships and for engaging schools in sustainable practices through a programme of outreach.
