Claim Your Square Metre of St Mary’s Priory Wildflower Meadow
In his 2015 landmark encyclical Laudato si‘ encyclical, Pope Francis issued an urgent moral call to care for the environment, which he subtitled “on care for our common home“. He linked the global climate crisis directly to social justice, famously urging humanity to hear both “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor“.
In response to this call, the Irish bishops Conference invited all Catholic parishes across the island to turn 30% of their church and faith grounds into natural havens for pollinators and biodiversity by 2030. In association with the Heritage Council they produced Havens for Nature a guidebook supporting biodiversity in faith grounds.
In response to this initiative Prior Fr Stephen Cummins OP convened the inaugural meeting of the St Mary’s Priory Biodiversity Rewilding committee in May. Since then this committee, in association with the Dodder Action group, has been formulating a plan to rewild 30% of the Priory grounds.
One of the first rewilding initiatives will be to convert areas of lawn into wildflower meadows that will support a multitude of bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, and far more than any lawn ever can. Here is your opportunity to support the entreaty by Pope Francis and the urgings of the Irish bishops.
You can help to bring the wild back to our village by contributing €10* directly into the Tallaght soil, replacing sterile lawns with a thriving, certified native wildflower sanctuary.
By clicking below, you agree that this is a non-profit conservation sponsorship to support local urban biodiversity. Legal land ownership is not transferred.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What exactly am I buying?
You are sponsoring the transformation and long-term care of one square metre of land within the St Mary’s Priory grounds. Your contribution directly funds specialised soil remediation, the sowing of certified native Irish wildflower seeds (aligned with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan), and the maintenance of public trails.
Can I pick exactly which square metre I get?
To keep the restoration process scientifically sound, plots are assigned sequentially within the current active phase. This ensures we can restore the meadow systematically rather than in fragmented patches.
Can I visit my specific square metre?
Yes and no! You can view your plot’s exact location on our digital map at any time, and you are highly encouraged to visit the Priory grounds to enjoy the space. However, to allow fragile wildflowers to take root and protect nesting urban wildlife, walking directly onto the meadow plots is restricted. You can view the entire project from our designated walking trails and access points.
Can I put a physical fence, marker, or plaque on my plot?
No. To maintain a truly wild, safe, and connected ecosystem for local wildlife, we do not allow any physical boundaries, fences, or private markers on individual plots. Your name or dedication will live permanently on our digital “Living Map” online.
Ownership & Durability
Do I legally own this piece of land?
No. Legal ownership of the land remains entirely with St Mary’s Priory. Your contribution is a conservation sponsorship. It does not grant property rights, development rights, or any legal tenure over the physical real estate.
How long does my “adoption” last?
Your adoption is a one-time sponsorship that funds the critical Phase 1 preparation, planting, and initial three years of ecological monitoring for that plot. After three years, the habitat will be self-sustaining, and it will remain protected as part of the wider rewilding initiative indefinitely.
Gifting & Dedications
Can I buy a plot as a gift or in memory of someone?
Absolutely. This is one of the most popular ways to support the project. During the checkout process, simply check the box that says “This is a gift/dedication.” You will be prompted to enter the recipient’s name or a memorial message, which will be printed on the certificate and displayed on the digital map.
The Rewilding Process
What happens if the wildflowers on my plot die?
Nature is unpredictable, and urban rewilding comes with natural variations in weather and soil. If a particular section of the meadow fails to take root or suffers unexpected damage, our team of local volunteers will re-seed and care for the area as part of our ongoing maintenance program at no extra cost to you.
When can I see the results?
Rewilding requires patience! Following the seed sowing this autumn, the seeds will spend the winter establishing roots. You will see the first green shoots and early blooms in Spring, with the meadow reaching full maturity and buzzing with pollinators by Mid-Summer.
* We realise that in the current financial climate €10 may be too much to ask of some people. If this is you but you would still like to dedicate a piece of Priory meadow to a loved one please email us with your details. We have a limited number of sites that we can offer free of charge. The number of sites is limited so we will deal with requests and a first-come basis. email: prioryrewilding@gmail.com