Ireland has a long history of apple growing dating back thousands of years From ancient Brehon laws protecting apple trees to monks tending orchards at early monasteries, apples have long been an integral part of Irish food culture. But what is the state of apple growing in Ireland today? Can apples still thrive on the rainy Emerald Isle?
A Look Back at Ireland’s Apple Growing History
As mentioned, apples have been grown 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 cutting down or damaging apple trees, showing their protected status in ancient Irish society.
Monks grew apples in monastic gardens both for fresh eating and for use in recipes. And cider apples were grown eventually as well especially in counties like Tipperary, Kilkenny, and Waterford. So apples, whether for eating fresh, baking or fermenting into alcohol, have long been an important crop in Ireland.
Over the centuries, apple production centered in certain regions based on variety and intended use. Culinary apples were focused in the north-central counties of Armagh, Dublin, Louth, and Meath. Cider apples were predominant in the southeast. And fresh eating apples were grown in the southeast and County Dublin.
Challenges of Growing Apples in Ireland’s Climate
Ireland’s high rainfall and lack of extreme cold in winter provides challenges when growing apples. Wet conditions foster fungal and bacterial diseases like apple scab, fire blight, and canker. And insufficient winter chill can impair bud development on the trees in spring.
So apple growers must select disease-resistant, robust varieties suited to Ireland’s climate. And modern growing techniques help manage moisture and fertility levels for the trees. But despite the challenges, there are still over 20 varieties of apples grown commercially in Ireland today.
Major Apple Varieties Grown in Ireland
The most widely planted apple variety in Ireland is the Bramley’s Seedling, a popular cooking apple known for its tart flavor and ability to hold its shape when baked. Bramley’s is primarily grown in the northern counties of Armagh, Dublin, Louth, and Meath.
Other cooking apple varieties include Bloody Butcher, Ballyfatten, Echinville Seedling, Mrs. Perry, and many more. Dessert apples commonly grown include Irish Peach, Ardcairn Russet, Lady Fingers of Offaly, Kerry Pippin, and others. And for cider production, varieties like Michelin, Dabinett, and several more are used.
So across Ireland, orchards contain selections of heirloom and modern varieties chosen specifically to thrive in Ireland’s soil and rainy climate.
The Future of Apple Growing in Ireland
Consumer demand for local foods has increased interest in home-grown Irish apples. Specialty growers are producing traditional apple juices, vinegars, spirits, and more. Organizations like Celtic Orchards are working to promote Irish apples in the marketplace. And apple growers continue to trial new varieties suited for Ireland’s conditions.
So while imported apples still dominate in many shops and supermarkets, the outlook for Irish-grown apples is promising. With creativity and passion, Ireland’s apple growers are poised to reclaim their integral place in the nation’s food and drink culture. The ancient fruit so beloved by monks and lyrically termed “the food of the gods” may thrive again on the Emerald Isle.
Key Points
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Apples have been grown in Ireland for over 3000 years and were protected in ancient Brehon laws.
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Monks grew apples in monastery gardens and apples were part of Irish cuisine for centuries.
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Major apple growing regions include Armagh, Dublin, Louth, Meath, Tipperary, Kilkenny, and Waterford.
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Challenging wet climate can foster apple diseases but growers select resilient varieties.
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Top varieties include Bramley’s Seedling, Irish Peach, Ardcairn Russet, and Bloody Butcher.
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Creativity from growers and demand for local food may boost Irish apple cultivation.
Apples have a season too
In addition to learning that not all apple varieties grow everywhere and that some don’t last a month, I also learned that apples have a season. In Ireland and the UK, the season lasts from about the middle of August to April. Today, people forget this because an apple is always available in the grocery store, no matter what time of year it is. You can find well-known types 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 country the apples you bought last summer (May to July) were from? From what I’ve seen in local stores, supermarkets, and even farmers markets, they came from Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. That is the reason I tend not buy apples at all from June to August.
Apples can be bought in Ireland fresh from August to November, and then they are kept in cold storage 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 winter because they taste better when they’re ripe and last longer. Bramleys are easy to store and are in season from August to April. They are one of Ireland’s favorite cooking apples and the best for making apple 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 area. This way, we can enjoy fresh Irish apples when they’re in season or store them in a number of ways to enjoy them when they’re not in season.
In many ways, growing fruit is easier than growing vegetables, but you need to do a little more planning, getting ready, and thinking ahead. As you are preparing the ground for trees to grow for decades consider three main areas.
SHELTER – to protect from storms and cold winds for growth and to ensure good pollination. If you plant your hedge ahead of time, with trees like elder, hazel, and hawthorn in it, it can be useful on its own.
DRAINAGE – no fruit trees like their roots sitting in water. In heavy soils land drains need to be installed or trees planted on sloping mounds and staked well.
SOIL – ideally, fruit trees like a brown loam with an underlying permeable sub soil. The soil structure can be improved with compost, manures and fertilisers before planting takes place.
HOMEGROWN – Episode 5 Clip: Con Traas Apples
FAQ
Can apple trees grow in Ireland?
Are apples native to Ireland?
Does Ireland have apple orchards?
What fruit grows naturally in Ireland?
Are apples grown in Ireland?
Apples have been grown in Ireland for at least 3000 years. Indeed, St. Patrick is said to have planted a number of apple trees in Ireland, including one at Ceangoba, a settlement close to where Armagh is now situated. Early monastic records tell us that the monks were given apples with their meals, especially at festival times.
Are Irish apples ripe for development?
In Ireland, recently, apple production has been chosen as a key sector, which is ripe for development. This is based principally on market demand for Irish apples where there are positive consumer perceptions of Irish apples, but there are currently very large volumes of imported eating apples.
Where do you grow Irish eating apples & Bramley apples?
We grow Irish Eating Apples and Irish Bramley Apples in our orchard on the farm. Harvest usually begins in September where apples are picked by hand and placed into wooden crates to be stored until ripe. We supply Irish Eating Apples from September through to January
Are dessert apples growing in Ireland?
Currently, the domestic retail market for dessert apples is valued at €135 million, yet a staggering 97% of this demand is fulfilled through imports. However, Ireland’s climate is well suited for apple cultivation, and advances in varieties and orchard technologies and associated production systems hold the potential to grow this sector.