The Irish Seed Savers Association is the leading non-governmental organisation working for the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in Ireland.

Founded on a small farm in Co. Carlow in 1991, Irish Seed Savers’ main objective is to protect Ireland’s food crop heritage for future generations.

In recent years they have expanded the scope of their work to include crop varieties from all over the world that are suitable for Ireland’s unique growing conditions.

The association maintains the country’s only public seed bank and houses the national collection of Irish heritage apple trees in their orchards in East Clare.

Pat Flynn visited Irish Seed Savers at Capparoe near Scarriff to meet with Executive Director Elaine Bradley.