# Hedge Laying Association of Ireland ## Posts - [Fighting Disease: The Threat Hanging Over Ireland's Hedgerows](https://hedgelaying.ie/fighting-disease/): A quiet danger is spreading through the Irish countryside. It does not announce itself with noise or fanfare. It shows up as withered leaves, oozing cankers, and dying branches. The disease is called Fireblight, and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland, now known as Hedgerows Ireland, has made it a central focus of its work . This bacterial infection poses a catastrophic risk to hawthorn, the very backbone of Ireland’s hedgerow network. The Association has raised serious concerns that the disease is being introduced through imported saplings, often used to meet planting demands under schemes like ACRES. There is no cure for […] - [The Art of Hedge Laying: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide](https://hedgelaying.ie/beginners-step-by-step-guide/): Hedge laying is a craft that has shaped the Irish countryside for centuries. It sits somewhere between farming, ecology, and art. The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland, now known as Hedgerows Ireland, has been at the centre of this tradition since 2004, teaching new generations how to work with the land rather than against it . For anyone who has looked at a gappy, overgrown hedge and wondered how to bring it back to life, this guide is for you. What Hedge Laying Really Is Many people mistake hedge laying for simple trimming or pruning. It is something else entirely. Trimming cuts […] - [The Financial Value of Hedgerow Care: How Farmers Benefit](https://hedgelaying.ie/the-financial-value-of-hedgerow-care/): For many Irish farmers, the hedgerow is a familiar sight. It marks the boundary of the field, provides some shelter for livestock, and is often trimmed each year to keep it tidy. But the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland has long pointed out that these green boundaries represent something far more valuable. A well-managed hedgerow, especially one rejuvenated through traditional hedge laying, offers a range of practical and financial benefits that are often overlooked. Under schemes like ACRES, farmers can receive direct financial support for coppicing and laying hedges . Beyond this direct income, a thick, laid hedge provides shelter for livestock, […] - [Hedgerow Health and Biodiversity](https://hedgelaying.ie/hedgerow-health-and-biodiversity/): Creating a Sanctuary for Wildlife The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland has long understood that a healthy hedgerow is far more than just a line of bushes dividing fields. It is a living structure, a haven for wildlife, and a thread that weaves the Irish countryside together. The Association has consistently drawn attention to the critical role that well-managed hedgerows play in supporting the country’s biodiversity, pointing to research that shows just how vital these boundaries are for birds, insects, and other creatures . A Network of Life Hedgerows are sometimes described as the green arteries of the landscape. They connect habitats […] - [The Ancient Craft Returns: Why Hedge Laying is Back in the Spotlight](https://hedgelaying.ie/the-ancient-craft-returns/): Across the Irish countryside, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place. The old boundaries that once shaped the land and provided shelter for generations are being carefully brought back to life. The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland has watched this revival unfold. Farmers, landowners, and those who care for the land have been turning back to a skill that was almost lost, finding in it a way to restore both the landscape and the wildlife that depends on it. A History Carved in the Land The story of Ireland’s hedgerows is deeply woven into the story of the land itself. […] ## Pages - [Blog](https://hedgelaying.ie/blog/) - [Gallery](https://hedgelaying.ie/gallery/): Our Gallery See skilled hedge layers at work, restoring boundaries, habitats, and Ireland’s living rural heritage. Hedge Laying Gallery See traditional hedge laying in action, from hands-on training days to finished hedges enriching Ireland’s countryside. - [Resources](https://hedgelaying.ie/resources/): Learn the Craft Practical guides, demonstrations and trusted advice for learning, preserving and improving Ireland’s traditional hedge-laying craft. Laying Techniques Hedgerow Benefits Practical guidance on pleaching, laying angles, staking, binding and finishing a strong, wildlife-friendly hedge. Project Library Learn how traditional Irish hedge laying supports biodiversity, protects fields and keeps rural landscapes thriving. Learning Resources Browse project stories, training notes and useful references for beginners, landowners and experienced hedge layers. - [Events](https://hedgelaying.ie/events/): Meet And Learn Join demonstrations, training days and gatherings celebrating Ireland’s living hedgerows and the craft of traditional hedge laying. Hedge Laying Workshop Learn traditional hedge laying techniques from experienced practitioners during a practical, hands-on day in the Irish countryside. €35 per person Field Demonstration Watch skilled hedge layers at work, ask questions, and see how well-managed hedgerows support wildlife, farming, and local landscapes. Free admission Annual Gathering Watch skilled hedge layers at work, ask questions, and see how well-managed hedgerows support wildlife, farming, and local landscapes. Members €10; guests €15 - [Membership](https://hedgelaying.ie/membership/): Become a Member Join a friendly community preserving Ireland’s hedgerows, sharing practical skills, and supporting the future of traditional hedge laying. Become a Member Join a welcoming community preserving Ireland’s hedgerows through practical skills, shared knowledge, and traditional craftsmanship. - [About the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland](https://hedgelaying.ie/about/): Rooted in Tradition The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland was founded with a clear and enduring purpose: to safeguard the practice of traditional hedge laying as a functional craft and a living art. Recognizing the rapid decline in both the number of skilled hedgelayers and the health of the hedgerow network, the founders established an organization to coordinate conservation efforts, standardize best practices, and raise public awareness. The Association’s mission encompasses several key areas: The Association’s work has been recognized by numerous governmental and environmental bodies. It continues to collaborate with organizations like the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, […] - [Home](https://hedgelaying.ie/): About Association The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland brings together farmers, hedge layers, and countryside enthusiasts who share a commitment to preserving Ireland’s living boundaries. The Association provides training, hosts events, and advocates for hedgerow protection. It is a community of practice where traditional skills are passed on and the ecological value of hedgerows is celebrated. Hedge Laying Ireland Learn traditional hedge laying techniques from experienced practitioners across Ireland. Join workshops, local gatherings, and demonstrations celebrating Ireland’s living boundaries. Browse inspiring projects, practical resources, and photographs from past events. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)