Dromiskin Tidy Towns celebrates National Tree Week 2026
The theme of Growing a Greener Future Together was very apt as the community in Dromiskin celebrated National Tree Week 2026
The theme of Growing a Greener Future Together was very apt as the community in Dromiskin celebrated National Tree Week 2026 with a collaborative approach to a landscaping project that delivered outstanding results in a village centre location.
Led by the Tidy Towns Committee an application was made to Louth County Council for a grant to plant lime trees along the boundary of the green space known locally as the Co-Op Field, but budgetary constraints meant that only a small percentage of the overall cost could be provided in the grant awarded.
Undeterred by this setback the committee gratefully accepted the grant but left no stone unturned in trying to identify alternative funding sources to allow the project proceed.
Liam Reilly, Secretary of Dromiskin Tidy Towns, commented, “the local community is hugely supportive of our tidy towns programme and our many fundraising initiatives and, on this occasion, we opted to contact local businesses to see if they would be willing to sponsor a tree to enable the project proceed.
"The response was extremely positive with thirteen trees sponsored to add to those funded under the local authority grant and our Pobal Tidy Towns Grant.”
This collaborative approach resulted in twenty one trees planted along the Commons Road and Chapel Road boundaries of the site which is managed as a No Mow Zone to support pollinators.
Landscape Architect Kevin Halpenny, who volunteers with Dromiskin Tidy Towns, explained that “the newly planted trees around the green are small leafed lime trees which are considered native to Ireland and form part of priority woodland habitats often hosting a wide variety of wildlife”.
This species of tree was chosen, for many reason, in the planting scheme including the fact that they act as “pollinator hubs” by providing crucial nectar for bees, butterflies and hoverflies in mid-summer with leaves also supporting moths.
As they mature lime trees also provide nesting sites for birds and they are resilient to urban pollution providing crucial sustainable green infrastructure in often heavily trafficked areas.
Dromiskin Tidy Towns said it is extremely grateful to the many sponsors, some of who sponsored multiple trees. Sponsorship plaques acknowledge the support of Ardee Credit Union, Charles McCann Charitable Foundation, PEMA Ltd, Dromiskin Pharmacy, Mc Geough’s Funeral Directors, Kevin Halpenny and family as well as Louth County Council.