Luigi's recent postings on the history of the apple, its diversity and contrasting conservation measures at Brogdale in the UK and Geneva-NY, in the USA, and the general discussion this has generated has prompted me to do a specific posting in the hope that I can get some information, or leads, on the history and diversity of the apple in Ireland. Firstly, I would love to hear from anyone who might be able to give us some information on the history and diversity of the apple in Ireland. How many of these varieties might be conserved in the collection at Brogdale? Is it possible that early Irish colonists to America might have brought apple varieties now in the USA collection? Are there separate apple collections in Ireland (either north or south) and where might these be? Is there a conservation strategy for apples in Ireland? Who are the main individuals and organisations involved in apple conservation in Ireland? I would be delighted to hear from people on these queries.
4 comments:
Well, they do say the blogospphere is a bit of an echo chamber, but so what.
Presumably you know about the Irish Seedsavers? they have an Apple Day coming up (if you go, say I said Hi) and you can see photos of their collection.
Doesn't answer your questions, but it is a start.
There is an Irish Apple Collection conserved at the University College Dublin, resulting from a Native Irish Apple project. You can find all the information in this publication:
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/publications/pubfile.asp?ID_pub=224
For updates, I suggest you to contact James Choiseul, the Irish delegate in the ECPGR Working Group on Malus/Pyrus (list of contacts here: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/networks/ecpgr/Contacts/ecpgr_wgma.asp) or Anita Hayes, Director of the Irish Seed Savers Association (issaATesatclear.ie).
More information on European cooperation for the conservation of Malus and Pyrus here: http://www.ecpgr.cgiar.org/workgroups/malus_pyrus/malus_pyrus.htm
Many thanks Jeremy and Lorenzo for this information. Will follow up on it over the weekend,
http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/
Hi the above website is for the Irish seed savers. They hve the Irish national collection of fruit trees. They have over 140 Irish varieties. Well worth a look. I have visited a couple of times it is located in Scariff Co Clare Ireland very near lough Derg on the river Shannon beautiful place. I have some of the trees planted in Donegal Ireland, this is where some of the varieties origonally came from.
Hope this helps
Post a Comment