Flora of ancient Trim captured in book

A booklet on the medieval plants of Trim was launched by Meath County Manager, Tom Dowling, in Trim Library on 18th February. The book was written by Lorraine Foley from Robinstown and was published by Meath Heritage Centre and Trim Tidy Towns. Director of the Meath Heritage Centre, Noel French, thanked Fás, Trim Forum for Employment, Trim Town Council, Meath County Council and the local community for their support of the Meath Heritage Centre. He also thanked Cllr Jimmy Fegan for the help he had given the project over the years. "It was appropriate that the county manager launch the book as he had been very involved in establishing Pride of Place and is a great supporter of heritage in the county," said Mr French. Mr Dowling said the book harkened back to an age when people were at one with nature. In the folklore collection of the 1930s, he said local students had identified many wild plants in the area, including shaky heads, wild vetch, lamb's quarters, wildfire weed and rabbitworth. "It is clear that the flora and fauna of our countryside cannot be taken for granted by any generation and that we must provide opportunities for all age groups to continually re-connect with nature," said Mr Dowling. Mr French said the Heritage Centre "very much appreciated the support of the town council" and had received the cathaoirleach's prize two years ago from Cllr Ray Butler. Trim Town Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Butler, said he was very pleased to be associated with this booklet. He said: "The booklet looks very well and the illustrations are only gorgeous. Well done to Lorraine Foley on all her work. This booklet will be a valuable contribution to the heritage and tourism of Trim." Cllr Butler described Trim Tidy Towns and the Meath Heritage Centre as jewels in the community and he said the work of Fás and the Meath Heritage Centre in providing training to the unemployed in the present climate was most important. The author and illustrator of the book, Lorraine Foley, said she enjoyed studying flowers and nature and the book was her interpretation of plants from a gardener's point of view. She encouraged people to use the Porchfields and examine its plants. Cathoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Willie Carey, said the book "was a marvellous publication and it provided another chink in the promotion of Trim as a visitor destination" and he said has a particular interest in all wild plants. Brian Heffernan of Trim Tidy Towns group said the booklet would be an important contribution to its efforts and he outlined some of the current activities of the Trim TT group and also appealed for more volunteers. Local councillors Ronan McKenna, Vincent McHugh, Trevor Golden and James O'Shea also attended the launch, as well as parish priest Fr Sean Henry and Trim Chamber president Yvette Bloomfield. The booklet is available free at Trim Library, High Street, and at the Visitor Centre, Castle Street.