Raheny Tidy Village Group Newsletter - Summer 2026
- Raheny Tidy Village
- 24 minutes ago
- 5 min read
As we move into the brighter months, the Raheny Tidy Village Group has been busy across a wide range of projects and events. From sustainability initiatives to celebrations, it has already been a great start to 2026.
Raheny Biodiversity Corridor
You may already have noticed Raheny's Biodiversity Corridor plaques around the village. These are part of the new biodiversity corridor, extending from Hilltop, down Raheny Road through the village centre to Watermill Road, ending at the coast. This is a community-led ecological network of rich flora and habitats for insects and mammals in the heart of Raheny. This initiative is a key action of the Raheny Biodiversity Action Plan which was launched in 2025. Click here for more information..
Community Water Saving Programme
To date, 50 free water butts have been installed in homes across Raheny. These systems help reduce flooding and water pollution by capturing rainwater, while also providing a sustainable water source for gardens during dry periods. The spell of heavy rain early in the year highlighted just how effective this initiative can be, with participating households playing an active role in protecting our local environment.
This project was funded by the Dublin City Council Community Climate Action Grant, and we are delighted with its impact so far.
We are now planning to expand the programme throughout 2026. If you are interested in receiving a free water butt or rainwater planter for your home, school, or business, we would love to hear from you.
Community Garden Update
We have been busy in the Community Garden too.
Fruit bushes and trees were carefully pruned to encourage a strong harvest this year and our polytunnel will soon be filled with seedling grown from seed saved last autumn.
We are having a Community Garden open day on May 16th from 11am to 1pm. A chance to visit and see what we are growing, There will also be a plant and seed swap on the day.
Bicycle Engraving event
We are hosting a free Bicycle Engraving event in the Community Garden on May 9th from 11am to 1pm. Check out our Facebook page for more details.
Con’s Corner
One of the highlights of the year so far has been the official opening of Con’s Corner at the junction of Watermill Road and Howth Road.
This re-greening project has transformed a previously neglected, concrete-heavy area into an attractive and welcoming space, complete with a bench and flower beds. It marks the achievement of a long-standing goal for the group and stands as a fitting tribute to the late Con Clarke, a dedicated community figure whose legacy can be seen throughout Raheny.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by a large cross section of the community, including local groups, businesses, and residents. Con’s wife Teresa and daughter Catherine officially opened the space, making it a particularly meaningful occasion.
We extend our sincere thanks to Councillor Daryl Barron and Deputy Tom Brabazon for their support in bringing this project to fruition, as well as to Dublin City Council for their assistance.
Con’s Corner is now a place where people can pause, reflect, and appreciate the village that Con worked so hard to improve.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Raheny celebrated St Patrick’s Day in great style this year. The village was alive with music, colour, and community spirit, and we were delighted to take part in such a vibrant event. With excellent weather and even a feature on RTÉ, it was a day to remember.
A big thank you to the organisers and everyone involved.
Santry River Clean-Up
As part of the An Taisce National Spring Clean, we held a successful clean-up along the Santry River in April. Despite chilly conditions, our dedicated volunteers turned out in great numbers to remove litter from the riverbanks and water.
The Santry River remains one of the more polluted waterways in Dublin, but significant efforts are underway to improve its condition. Initiatives such as the Rainscapes project on Lein Road and Ribh Road are already making a difference. These nature-based drainage systems help manage surface water, reduce pressure on infrastructure, and improve water quality—all while enhancing the local landscape with features such as birch planting.
It is encouraging to see progress, and we are proud to contribute to these ongoing improvements.
Dublin Clean-up
We also participated in the Team Dublin Clean-up event in April!
Tidy Towns Award
We were thrilled to receive a Gold Medal at the SuperValu Tidy Towns Midlands and East Regional Awards for 2025. The ceremony took place in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, where we had the opportunity to meet and celebrate with other Tidy Towns groups.
This achievement reflects the collective effort of our entire community. We extend our thanks to Dublin City Council, Raheny Business Association, local schools, clubs, businesses, and all our volunteers for their continued support.
Special congratulations also go to St Anne’s City Farm and Ecology Centre, which received two awards for its outstanding work in sustainability and climate action.
Réabhlóid ar Chúl an Tí on TG4
TG4 is airing a gardening programme featuring landscape designer Mary Reynolds, turn suburban areas into wildlife attractive areas. We are especially looking forward to watching the garden transformation in Raheny. It is airing on Sundays and episodes are available the on TG4 website. Click here for the trailer:
Get Involved
We welcome new volunteers at any time. Our group meets every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. outside the Catholic church in the village. There is no obligation to attend regularly - just come along when you can.
If you plan to join, please complete the volunteer form on our website in advance. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Please complete the volunteer form here.
If you would like to contact us, email rahenytidyvillage@gmail.com, or message us on Facebook or Instagram.
If you would like to sign-up for our newsletter, enter your email address in the Subscribe form at the bottom of the newsletter page.
Thank You
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports Raheny Tidy Village Group. From residents and volunteers to local organisations and businesses, your involvement makes a real difference.
Together, we are continuing to make Raheny a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place to live. We look forward to building on this momentum throughout the rest of 2026!
