Cill Ulta

Eight acres of oil-heated glasshouses were once built at Cill Ulta to grow tomatoes for early markets in Dublin.  This venture collapsed during the oil crisis in the 1970’s which eventually left only one acre of intact glasshouse.  Ownership fell to the state as managed by Údarás na Gaeltachta.  In order to preserve the resource, the community formed Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha Teo, growing vegetables for sale to local markets and providing community training in horticulture. 

Today LAN Ctr - operating as ‘Cill Ulta’ - is known as a centre for sustainability.  Not only does it continue to provide local, naturally grown produce throughout NW Donegal it has expanded its training to include ecology, sustainability, circular economy, and food sovereignty.  It also hosts an Agri-Environmental European Innovation Partnership aimed at agricultural, economic rejuvenation for marginal farmlands in the region and it hosts County Donegal’s SEAI Sustainable Energies Coordinator.