Welcome to the School Garden
Our garden spans over an acre and is a truly unique space, unlike anything found in any other school in Ireland.
The idea for this remarkable environment began in 1990, inspired by the vision of a school parent, Gabrielle O’Herlihy. With the support of the then principal, Gabrielle, alongside a small group of dedicated parents, transformed a rubble-strewn area at the back of the school into something extraordinary. Through unwavering determination, enthusiasm, and a long-term vision, she nurtured the space over 25 years into a thriving wilderness garden for the children.
Over the years, the garden has received national recognition. It has featured several times on RTÉ, yielded Bronze Age artefacts, and been acknowledged for its contribution to biodiversity. The school has also been awarded seven Green School Flags, reflecting our strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Today, the garden serves as a living classroom, a dynamic biodiversity and science project where much of the curriculum is brought to life. Rich in wildlife, it includes hedgerows, a variety of trees, herb gardens, raised beds, and an orchard. Among its many features are a pond, a fairy garden, and a composting area, all of which support hands-on learning and exploration.
Following 25 years of dedication, Gabrielle passed the garden into the capable hands of Fiona Fullam. Through Fiona’s passion for teaching and deep knowledge of the garden, children’s learning continued to flourish for a further decade. In 2025, Fiona entrusted the garden to a new group of committed parent volunteers.
Today, the garden remains a collaborative effort. Teachers integrate it into daily learning, supported by the Garden & Green School Committee, whose work is sustained entirely by parent volunteers. On any given day, children can be found in the garden either learning about Ireland’s native biodiversity or simply enjoying the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature.
Some photos from the early days of the garden…
The Garden Today:
The Garden Committee are an amazing group of parents who come and weather permitting, work their magic. Meeting on Wednesdays during term, some come every week and others whenever they have a spare Wednesday and others row in for the build up to Garden Day. When you visit the garden, it is amazing to see how much work these few volunteers actually get done over the school year.In the spring of 2026, the school held its first ‘Meitheal’ day. Like the traditional Irish concept of a ‘meitheal’, parent volunteers came together one Saturday to bring their skills and tools and assist in maintaining the ever-growing garden.
If you have an interest in assisting with the Garden Committee in whatever capacity, please contact the school. We are always grateful for any assistance or knowledge parents can give.
Garden Day is one of the highlights of the year at St Brigid’s. It takes place each June, when the garden is in full bloom and looking its very best. Parents, grandparents and guests are warmly invited to explore the garden and enjoy a range of projects presented by our Sixth Class pupils.
Preparation for this special day begins during the final term for Sixth Class. The day before the main event, the school hosts a dedicated Garden Day for pupils from Junior Infants to Fifth Class. For those in Sixth Class, presenting the garden is both an honour and a rite of passage, a proud culmination of their years of learning at St Brigid’s. As they prepare to move on, they share their knowledge with confidence, enthusiasm and a deep sense of pride in their garden and its rich biodiversity.
On Garden Day, parents are also invited to visit their daughter’s classroom. A variety of stalls offer high-quality plants and other items of interest. Guests can enjoy fresh strawberries and cream, along with tea, coffee and a selection of homemade cakes. Raffle tickets are available throughout the day, offering the chance to win a range of wonderful prizes. Garden tours are free of charge, and visitors can also enjoy performances by the school choir and orchestra in the school hall.
All funds raised on the day go directly towards the upkeep of the garden and the development of further learning opportunities and initiatives. Most importantly, Garden Day provides the girls with a wonderful opportunity to showcase one of the aspects of school life they cherish most.
It is a truly special occasion and a perfect way to experience the garden and understand why it holds such a special place in the hearts of our pupils.