Leitrim’s Organic Centre gears up for 30th Apple Day with record harvest

The Organic Centre is gearing up for its annual Apple Day-Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 28, celebrating its 30th anniversary with talks and tours from apple expert Phil Wheal and grape guru Andrew Watson.

Ireland is experiencing a bumper apple harvest, as reported by Teagasc and witnessed firsthand by staff at the Organic Centre in Leitrim, who are marking their 30th year.

The Leitrim centre, which presses its own organic apples for juice sold in its shop, can hardly keep up with demand. Phil Wheal, one of the country’s top fruit experts who works at the centre, said, “We have pressed as much juice from our apples in August than we did the whole of last year.”

Wheal attributes the successful harvest to the warm conditions from April to June, which were optimal for a large-scale crop. In contrast, 2024 saw a poor harvest due to less than ideal weather conditions. Reflecting on his decades of experience, Wheal added, “It was the best summer that I've seen for apples in a distance.”

READ NEXT: Leitrim Eurovision winner weighs in on RTÉ boycott of competition if Israel competes

These observations are supported by the Irish Times, which reported, based on Met Éireann statistics, that the spring of 2025 was Ireland’s warmest since records began 126 years ago. An average temperature of 10.60 degrees celcius was recorded across the State, 1.5 degrees above the long-term average for 1991 to 2020.

Phil Wheal has nurtured 81 varieties of apple trees in the Organic Centre orchards, making it one of the largest collections in the country, with both Irish and UK/European varieties. He has 150 trees in total, a labour of love he has built since 1995.

On Apple Day next weekend, botanist Maria Cullen will discuss the threat of fireblight to apple trees, and farming-for-nature ambassador Tommy Early from Mount Allen Farm will introduce an inspiring project.

Alongside apple pressing demonstrations, the event will feature a crafts and food market, craft demos, basket weaving, and hand spinning. Apple Day offers plenty for families, including heritage games from ‘Heritage Crafts Alive,’ a children’s arts and crafts section, and visiting alpacas from ‘Big Owen Alpacas.’

READ NEXT: Leitrim schools and families encouraged to read for MS fundraiser

The Grass Roof Café will be open, serving a lunch menu and apple-themed delights. The popular annual event is free to the public.