The Garden Shed Manifesto Celebrated Creativity, Biodiversity and Community on the 5th and 6th of June

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) Arts Office welcomed children, families, and older residents to a series of creative, nature-based workshops and walks on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th of June 2026 at Castletymon Library, exploring local biodiversity, gardening, foraging and environmental stewardship through art and participation.


The programme formed part of The Garden Shed Manifesto, an innovative public art and climate action project led by artist Gráinne O'Carroll and architect and urbanist Ghiath Al Jebawi. Through creative engagement with gardening, biodiversity and local ecology, the project encouraged participants to reimagine suburban green spaces as vibrant ecosystems that support both people and nature.


On Friday 5th of June, local school children took part in Hands in the Soil: Planting, Herbs & Tea, a practical workshop facilitated by forager Feebee Foran and artist Gráinne O'Carroll. Participants worked together to plant shared plant basins and seed trays while learning about plants and herbs, gardening and the preparation of herbal teas. Later that day, Feebee Foran led Local Plants, Local Stories, a series of foraging and storytelling walks exploring the hidden ecologies, histories and plant life surrounding Castletymon Library. The programme included a dedicated Age Friendly session, bringing older residents together to share stories, observations and experiences of the local landscape.


Taking place alongside Cruinniú na nÓg on Saturday 6th of June, young participants joined Plant Dyes & Botanical Flag Making, a hands-on workshop led by Gráinne O'Carroll and Kathryn Davie. Using locally sourced plants, participants created natural dyes, botanical prints and colourful flags inspired by the area's native flora. The weekend concluded with Seedball Games, where young people from the local Scout group engaged with the practice of ‘Gorilla Gardening’ through outdoor ball games inspired by forest pedagogy, physical theatre and hurling, turning seed dispersal into a fun group activity.


These events reflect the wider vision of The Garden Shed Manifesto, which explores how small, local actions can contribute to climate awareness, biodiversity and community connection. Inspired by the garden shed as a place of cultivation, creativity and care, the project invites people to see gardens and green spaces not as isolated spaces but as part of a shared ecological network.


The project is rooted in the idea of “ecological intimacy” - the belief that meaningful environmental change begins through everyday acts of stewardship, learning, and collaboration. By bringing together gardening, storytelling, making, conversation, the programme creates opportunities for people of all ages to connect with their local environment and with one another.


At the heart of each event is a horse-drawn cart carrying a large willow-woven structure. This evolving “garden shed” serves as a playful reminder of how we can transform spaces and come together as a community through creativity and collaboration. With every workshop, the shed continues to grow, gradually filling with plants, seedlings, flags, and seed balls. In July, it will be home to a photography booth and provide a stage for local musicians, becoming an ever-changing focal point for community participation and celebration.


The events at Castletymon Library marked an important early stage in the continuing development of The Garden Shed Manifesto, a living project that will continue to grow over Summer 2026 through community participation, creative collaboration, and environmental action across South Dublin.


The Garden Shed Manifesto by Gráinne O’Carroll and Ghiath Al Jebawi is commissioned by South Dublin County Council for IN CONTEXT 5 – Connect, South Dublin County Council's Public Art programme under the Per Cent for Art Scheme.