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The Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA) is at the moment, the only outlet for the purchasing of Native Irish Apple trees. The main objective of ISSA is to halt the depletion of our native agricultural biodiversity, and to support our plant resource by recreating orchards containing traditional varieties of native Irish fruit trees we want to encourage farmers to create and maintain apple orchards with specific varieties traditional to Ireland to ensure the survival of this unique resource. This will increase biodiversity of the local landscape and provide a habitat for wildlife on the farm. The REPS option is targeted to deliver on the priority theme of biodiversity and landscape. Participants availing of this option must follow certain requirements (see http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/schemes/REPS4/REPS4FamersHandbook_LowRes.pdf page 34) for more details on the establishment of traditional Irish Orchards.

“From a time when every small farmhouse and estate had fruit trees, Ireland has lost about two thirds of its orchards in the past 50 years” estimates Heidi Lammiman, Irish Seed Savers.  Apart from the loss of really good tasting food many of these plants have disease and pest resistant qualities that could be invaluable in future breeding programmes.  The fruit on some varieties such as Brown Crofton from Sligo stay longer on the tree than others, ideal for windier spots.  Come and see the work we do and get advice on planting and siting your orchard perhaps you know about some special plant or fruit tree that should be in our collection.

For farmers with a holding of 10ha or less this option qualifies as a Category 1 option while for farmers with a holding of greater than 10 ha this is a Category 2 option.

• The orchard size must be a minimum of 0.05ha, with a minimum width of 15 meters wide.
• A minimum of 12 trees must be planted, ranging from the full (M111), half (M106) and semi dwarfing (M26) varieties of rootstocks.
• Boundary of the orchard must be stock-proof for the duration of contract period.
• Only varieties included in the Native Irish Collection may be planted. If possible, varieties traditionally grown in the area should be chosen from the list.
• At least three approved varieties must be planted, with no variety comprising more that half the trees planted.
• Trees must be planted during the dormant season.
• The orchard may be mown or grazed by sheep.
• Inorganic/organic fertilizers or lime may not be broadcast throughout the orchard. However, well rotted farmyard manure and a small quantity of chemical fertilizer and lime may be applied, each year after planting if the soil is poor.
• The Irish Seed Savers Association will give you advice free of charge on trees suitable for your area, on planting and arrange delivery of the trees to your farm.
• The Irish Seed Savers Association can sell you the trees at €35.00 for the 2 year olds or €22.00 for this years maiden whips.  Payable with your order.  There is 10% discount for Seed Savers members.
• Failed trees must be replaced.
• None of this information can be taken as a contract you must check with your REPS 4 Teagasc advisor before planting.
• This REPS 4 payment is €300.00 annually and forms part of your REPS payment.

Planting an orchard is one of the best ways you can halt the loss of biodiversity and if you want to eat pure healthy fruit for you and for generations to come!  Home grown fruit is considerably less expensive than fruit purchased, considering a lot of organic and conventional apples are imported from as far as New Zealand during a time when the fruit is in season here in Ireland.  Visit ISSA orchards to see over 200 distinct varieties these beautiful native Irish apple trees growing organically in East Clare.

For a free Apple catalogue and information on REPS Native Irish Orchards please phone 061 921866 or Email info@irishseedsavers.ie. Visit our Website www.irishseedsavers.ie

Opening Hours:

Monday- Friday 9.30-5pm (Closed Bank Holidays), Saturdays/Sundays 12.30-5pm.  We are located 42kms east of Ennis on R352, 5kms west of Scariff on R 461 (Scariff -Feakle Rd) from Galway take the R461 (Ennis road) past Gort and we are located 6kms from Feakle.