Ireland has a long account of apple develop date stamp back grand of years From ancient Brehon laws protect apple tree diagram to monk tending orchards at early monastery , apples have long been an intact part of Irish food culture . But what is the state of orchard apple tree grow in Ireland today ? Can apple still flourish on the rainy Emerald Isle ?
A Look Back at Ireland’s Apple Growing History
As remark , apple have been grow in Ireland for at least 3000 years . According to legend , St. Patrick himself planted apple trees around Ireland during his missionary work on the island . Early Irish Brehon laws even included penalties for cut down or detrimental apple Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , showing their protected position in ancient Irish society .
Monk grew apples in monastic garden both for bracing eating and for use in recipes . And cider apples were mature eventually as well specially in county like Tipperary , Kilkenny , and Waterford . So apples , whether for eating smart , baking or fermenting into alcohol , have long been an important crop in Ireland .
Over the centuries , apple production centered in sure regions ground on variety and intend use . Culinary apple were focused in the north - central counties of Armagh , Dublin , Louth , and Meath . Cider Malus pumila were predominant in the southeast . And unused feeding apple were grown in the SE and County Dublin .
Challenges of Growing Apples in Ireland’s Climate
Ireland ’s high rainfall and lack of uttermost cold in winter provides challenges when get apples . Wet conditions surrogate fungal and bacterial diseases like apple blackleg , attack blight , and canker . And insufficient winter chill can impair bud development on the trees in spring .
So apple growers must choose disease - immune , robust salmagundi suited to Ireland ’s mood . And modern get techniques help manage wet and fertility levels for the trees . But despite the challenges , there are still over 20 varieties of apple grown commercially in Ireland today .
Major Apple Varieties Grown in Ireland
The most wide planted apple assortment in Ireland is the Bramley ’s Seedling , a popular cooking apple know for its tart flavor and ability to go for its shape when baked . Bramley ’s is in the main grown in the northern county of Armagh , Dublin , Louth , and Meath .
Other cooking apple motley include Bloody Butcher , Ballyfatten , Echinville Seedling , Mrs. Perry , and many more . Dessert apples ordinarily grown include Irish Peach , Ardcairn Russet , Lady Fingers of Offaly , Kerry Pippin , and others . And for cider output , mixture like Michelin , Dabinett , and several more are used .
So across Ireland , orchards contain selections of heirloom and forward-looking smorgasbord opt specifically to thrive in Ireland ’s filth and rainy mood .
The Future of Apple Growing in Ireland
Consumer need for local foods has increased pursuit in dwelling - grown Irish apples . speciality raiser are producing traditional Malus pumila juices , vinegars , flavour , and more . Organizations like Celtic Orchards are working to promote Irish apples in the mart . And orchard apple tree raiser continue to trial fresh varieties suited for Ireland ’s circumstance .
So while imported apple still predominate in many shops and supermarkets , the prospect for Irish - grow apple is promising . With creative thinking and rage , Ireland ’s apple agriculturist are brace to reclaim their integral place in the nation ’s food and drink civilisation . The ancient fruit so beloved by monks and lyrically termed “ the food of the God ” may expand again on the Emerald Isle .
Key Points
Apples have been grown in Ireland for over 3000 years and were protected in ancient Brehon laws .
Thelonious Sphere Monk grew apples in monastery gardens and apples were part of Irish culinary art for century .
Major orchard apple tree originate regions include Armagh , Dublin , Louth , Meath , Tipperary , Kilkenny , and Waterford .
Challenging crocked mood can nurture orchard apple tree disease but growers select live varieties .
Top variety include Bramley ’s Seedling , Irish Peach , Ardcairn Russet , and Bloody Butcher .
Creativity from agriculturalist and demand for local nutrient may promote Irish apple cultivation .
Apples have a season too
In gain to learning that not all apple varieties grow everywhere and that some do n’t last a month , I also learned that apples have a season . In Ireland and the UK , the time of year hold up from about the midsection of August to April . Today , people forget this because an orchard apple tree is always uncommitted in the grocery store , no matter what sentence of year it is . you could find well - know type like Gala , Braeburn , Red and Golden Delicious , and Granny Smith in stores all year long .
The next question I have is : Can you remember which nation the apples you buy last summer ( May to July ) were from ? From what I ’ve seen in local storehouse , supermarket , and even Fannie Merritt Farmer market place , they come from Argentina , Chile , New Zealand , and South Africa . That is the reason I incline not grease one’s palms apples at all from June to August .
Apples can be purchase in Ireland fresh from August to November , and then they are kept in cold memory board until the following spring . Some varieties , like Lord Lambourne or the one we already talked about , only show up for a short time . Others , like Jonagolds and Elstars , show up in the wintertime because they taste easily when they ’re ripe and last longer . Bramleys are easy to salt away and are in season from August to April . They are one of Ireland ’s preferred cookery apple and the salutary for making orchard apple tree pie .
How to plant an apple tree or create an orchard
To be more serious , we can all help by planting trees or joining a community orchard in our expanse . This way , we can enjoy fresh Irish apple when they ’re in time of year or lay in them in a turn of ways to enjoy them when they ’re not in season .
In many way , growing fruit is easier than growing vegetables , but you call for to do a small more preparation , flummox ready , and thinking ahead . As you are prepare the earth for tree to grow for tenner weigh three principal areas .
SHELTER – to protect from storms and cold winds for growth and to ensure full pollination . If you establish your hedge ahead of clock time , with trees like elder , hazel , and hawthorn in it , it can be useful on its own .
DRAINAGE – no fruit tree like their roots sit in water . In sonorous soils body politic drainpipe need to be put in or Tree planted on sloping heap and staked well .
grunge – ideally , fruit tree diagram like a brownish loam with an underlying permeable pigboat soil . The territory structure can be better with compost , manures and fertilisers before planting takes place .
HOMEGROWN – Episode 5 Clip: Con Traas Apples
FAQ
Can apple trees arise in Ireland ?
Are apples native to Ireland ?
Does Ireland have apple orchards ?
What yield grows naturally in Ireland ?
Are apples grow in Ireland ?
Apples have been grown in Ireland for at least 3000 years . Indeed , St. Patrick is say to have planted a identification number of orchard apple tree trees in Ireland , include one at Ceangoba , a settlement close to where Armagh is now situated . Early monastic book tell us that the monks were given apple with their meals , especially at festival times .
Are Irish apples ripe for maturation ?
In Ireland , late , orchard apple tree yield has been chosen as a key sector , which is mature for development . This is base chiefly on market requirement for Irish apples where there are convinced consumer perception of Irish apples , but there are currently very expectant volumes of import eating apples .
Where do you originate Irish eating apple & Bramley orchard apple tree ?
We grow Irish Eating Apples and Irish Bramley Apples in our orchard on the farm . Harvest normally start in September where apple are clean by hand and placed into wooden crates to be stored until good . We supply Irish Eating Apples from September through to January
Are dessert apples growing in Ireland ?
Currently , the domestic retail grocery store for dessert orchard apple tree is appreciate at € 135 million , yet a staggering 97 % of this demand is carry out through imports . However , Ireland ’s climate is well suitable for orchard apple tree cultivation , and advances in varieties and orchard engineering and associate yield system of rules hold the potential to farm this sector .
