New book casts light on Trim's medieval gardens

A new book is to be launched in February entitled 'Medieval Plants of Trim'. The book was written by Lorraine Foley and is being published by Trim Tidy Towns and the Meath Heritage Centre. This booklet aims to illustrate the variety of flora that may have existed in local monastic gardens during the medieval times. The origin of the name Trim has connections with flora - Baile Atha Troim translates as Ford of the Elders. A walk through the Porchfields during the summer reveals a diverse flora that reflects Trim's medieval past. Various types of medieval gardens that may have existed in Trim are explained, including pleasure gardens, herbal healing garden, orchards and flowery meadow. Ms Foley writes that St Mary's Abbey had four orchards and three gardens as well as arable and pasture lands. Horseradish, which was used in medieval times as a vegetable, grows along the river banks at the Porchfields. Comfrey is a large perennial and was used to treat ligament or bone injuries, and monks referred to it as 'knitbone'. She also explains other plants that we now consider as weeds, which were harvested for food in medieval times. Ms Foley also makes the case for a garden at Newtown Abbey. Ms Foley is a local professional gardener with a BSc in horticulture from the Salesian College, Warrenstown. She is passionate about sustainable gardening and the heritage of landscape and her love for gardening has successfully translated into her popular wildlife gardening course. Her research is partly based on the works of Dermot Kelly, Michael Potterton and Noel French. The booklet is illustrated throughout with pen and ink illustrations drawn by the author. The book is due to be launched on Thursday 18th February by Meath County Manager Tom Dowling in Trim Library.