International students launch planning project for future development of Callan

A project looking at the future of food production, town planning and urban planting for Callan has been launched.

The collaborative project will draw on the expertise of product design professionals and students, as well as architects and council engineers, who will pool their knowledge and ideas to make plans for the town. 

‘Til Now, the overall title of the project, will bring the worlds of art and design together with the local community with the aim of adapting to climate change and connecting to the biodiversity crisis.

This is a Climate Action Fund II project funded by Creative Ireland.

Last week a group of design students from Central St Martin’s College, in London, made their first trip to south Kilkenny to get a sense of the area, and the people, they will be designing with and for.

They were accompanied by award-winning system designer Kaye Toland,  and Dr Jane Penty, an educator and sustainable design consultant.

Ten of their third-year product design students are taking on the challenge of designing a product that could be grown or produced in the Callan area, from the five key areas of wool, fruit and veg, bread, hay and milk. It is hoped to find a commercially viable, local and sustainable product.

As part of their introductory visit to the Callan area the students visited Highbank Orchard, an organic apple farm that has successfully diversified to produce juice and cider, cider vinegar, apply syrup, gin, vodka and rum, in their own little distillery. 

They also visited Riversfield Organic Farm in Callan which grows organic vegetables year-round, and the farm of Suzanna Crampton in Bennetsbridge, where she practices regenerative farming techniques.

On Friday the students held an open afternoon at Fennelly’s in Callan, inviting members of the community to call in and talk to them about some of the opportunities they have already identified in the area. Click NEXT for more photographs and to continue reading.