Airfield gets a new lease of life

Airfield Estate, Dublin's only urban farm, has developed a new programme of events since plans for a new road to run along its periphery were rejected by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The road was intended to link Sandyford Industrial Estate to Dundrum, passing adjacent to the farmland, which is a local amenity owned and managed by Airfield Trust. "Over the past two years, the threat was always there," says Kathy Purcell, general manager of the trust.

"Now we feel very happy about the future. This is probably the most positive time for Airfield. I think people-power did win out in this case. We are delighted because we have very exciting plans for Airfield," she says.

The council received some 1,000 submissions in opposition to the road, which would have passed alongside Airfield Estate in Dundrum. Now, only weeks after the council's decision, comes a packed programme of public events for the 35-acre estate. When the decision came, "the relief was huge", Purcell says. "If the road had gone through, it would have had a very serious impact on that whole tranquil area by the lower field and it would have had a significant impact on our plan to make Airfield a big visitor attraction," she says.

The recently granted Forfás accreditation to Airfield as a Discover Primary Science Centre in recognition of its nature and farm studies programme for primary schools, was another cause to celebrate.

Airfield's planned activities include an Easter egg hunt on April 15th, a May Day festival to celebrate old street games, sheep-shearing on June 3rd and a range of concerts and arts and cultural events.

"It's a delightful place to visit," says Dr Mary Forrest, a lecturer in UCD's school of biology and environmental science, who will give a talk at Airfield on Apirl 4th on gardens and gardening in early 20th-century Dublin.

"It's an oasis in the city. I don't think people realise yet from an environmental point of view how good it is for us human beings to have a view of nature," says Forrest, who is a specialist in garden history, plant materials and landscape management.

Throughout the year, a total of 40,000 people visit.

According to Forrest, "We may have a building value on land but we haven't put a value on the the benefits to us of having green spaces." With regard to the climate, there are also benefits from vegetation in terms of humidity, wind control and control of heat. "These green areas make the city more liveable ," she adds.

For information, see www.airfield.ie or phone 01 2984301. Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10am-4pm and Sun and bank holidays 11am-4pm