The Orchard of People

The Orchard of People project started with weekly visits with my camera, to a local community garden. The Garden came about from the concern of a group of likeminded neighbours who wanted to make use of a communal space hidden away between the houses and laneways in Bayside, on Dublin’s northside. It was in its 4th year when I began my work.

Initially, I gazed broadly and took photographs of the gardeners at work. I took documentary style and portrait photographs of everyone. I felt I wasn’t capturing the depth of the place or its people. The sounds, the energy and the meitheal needed more, so I asked each of the gardeners to write down their personal thoughts on what the garden means to them.

Their words focused my work, a short paragraph from each, describing why they turn up each Saturday…

‘A social lifeline’ – Christian

‘Time in nature with neighbours’ – Tom

‘A good balance for my sedentary office job’ – Niall

‘Getting your hands dirty in the soil’ – Olga

‘We are all of a similar mindset in the Orchard of People who choose to engage with life and community’ – Brendan.

My lens began to capture the character of the place. I took photographs of a gathering of people laughing, working, and getting their hands dirty, the oasis of green, The Orchard of People came alive through my lens.