WATCH: Kilkenny gets to know its hedgerows - living archives of local history and tradition
Hedgerows have long marked townland boundaries and pathways, shaping how communities interact with the land
Local residents have been taking part in a special community workshop in North Kilkenny, celebrating the rich heritage, folklore, and biodiversity of Irish hedgerows.
As part of the Know Your Hedgerows Project, an initiative of Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, the event highlights the vital role hedgerows play in our landscape — not only as important biodiversity corridors, but also as living archives of local history and tradition.
Hedgerows have long marked townland boundaries and pathways, shaping how communities interact with the land. Through historical maps, participants uncovered the stories hidden within these features — from ancient placenames to forgotten routes and field patterns. These maps offer a unique window into the past, helping us understand how our landscape has evolved over time.
The workshop also explored the importance of community stewardship in protecting and maintaining hedgerows for future generations. By caring for these natural boundaries, we support wildlife habitats, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen our connection to place.
Know Your Hedgerows is a community project led by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership that focuses on the importance of hedgerows in the landscape. It highlights their role as valuable wildlife habitats, natural boundaries, and carriers of local history and folklore.
The project brings people together through workshops and events to learn about hedgerow biodiversity, traditional skills, and how historical maps can reveal old field patterns and placenames. It also encourages communities to care for and protect hedgerows as part of our shared heritage.