Finding Home in Galway: My Journey with Tuatha Volunteering

Where It All Began

Picture this: March 12th, 2000. A barren field in the heart of Galway city— nothing more than forgotten land that people passed without a second thought. Then something extraordinary happened. Three thousand people arrived with shovels and saplings in hand. Grandparents, teenagers and parents planted beside students, and by sunset, they had laid the foundation for what we now call Terryland Forest Park.

One day. One community. One shared vision.

Fast forward twenty-five years: Ireland’s former president returned to Terryland Forest Park last June to commemorate this remarkable achievement, unveiling a poem that celebrates what ordinary people can accomplish together. By October, we were hosting an Open Day, watching children discover the magic of nature in the very space their community built from nothing.

This isn’t just Galway's history. It’s living proof that when people invest in their environment, the returns span generations.

My Introduction to Tuatha

When I started volunteering with Tuatha Volunteers of Terryland Park in September, I was simply looking for volunteering. What I found was a connection.

What Tuatha Actually Does

If you’re joining Tuatha, here’s what you’re signing up for:

You’ll help maintain and expand woodlands. You’ll cultivate wildflower meadows that transform the landscape each summer. There are orchards to tend, wetlands to restore—crucial ecosystems that naturally filter water and support countless species. Scientific monitoring happens here too, alongside efforts to preserve ancient farmland features that tell Ireland’s agricultural story.

The work varies: enhancing park infrastructure, removing invasive species, and general litter collection. We've built the Fairy-Ring, an outdoor classroom where school children learn environmental stewardship firsthand. We maintain eco-heritage trails and run heritage cycle tours every May. Last autumn, we organised trips to Connemara farms for berry picking and bog restoration. And yes, we converted a shipping container into our headquarters. Because why not?

Why I Keep Coming Back

Here’s what surprised me most: I came to spend time in nature, I stayed for the people.

Every Saturday morning, volunteers gather—not because it’s required, but because they genuinely care. You’ll meet undergraduates discovering their passion for conservation, postgraduate researchers applying their expertise in practical ways, working professionals dedicating their weekends to something meaningful, and long-time Irish volunteers. The diversity of backgrounds and nationalities creates something special.

Brendan, the driving force of Terryland Forest Park, puts it perfectly: ‘We have to find the similarities in our cultures and beliefs rather than differences’. During my first volunteering session, he and I talked about the historical connections between India and Ireland—a conversation I never anticipated having. But that’s Tuatha. Unexpected moments of connection happen naturally when you're working alongside people who care deeply about their environment.

The Student Perspective

If you’re a new student reading this, I understand the hesitation. You’ve just arrived, you’re finding your footing, making friends, and figuring out lecture halls and deadlines. Adding something else to your schedule might seem overwhelming.

But consider this: Tuatha offers a unique way to explore Galway while contributing to its future. Between assignments and social commitments, having access to Terryland Forest Park becomes invaluable. Walk those trails when you need perspective. Breathe that air when campus feels claustrophobic. And if you think, ‘I'd like to help maintain this’, then you've found your reason to join.

The practical benefits matter too. You don’t need prior experience—everything is taught as you go. Within three hours of your first session, you’ll have learned skills you didn’t have, had conversations you never expected, and probably laughed more than you planned. Plus, it looks excellent on your CV, though that shouldn’t be your primary motivation.

Looking Forward

Think about this: a decade from now, when you return to Galway for a reunion or a nostalgic visit, you’ll see what you helped create. The trees you planted will have grown. The meadows you maintain will be thriving. The trails you cleared will be guiding new students through their own Galway experiences.

That’s the real value of Tuatha. You’re not just volunteering—you’re becoming part of Galway’s ongoing story.

How to Get Involved

We meet every Saturday at An Nead at 10:00 AM. Just show up. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, bring a friend if you’d like, or come alone and make new ones. The atmosphere is welcoming, the work is meaningful, and the people are genuinely lovely.

As someone who’s spent the past few months documenting student life at University of Galway, I can honestly say that Tuatha has given me a deeper understanding of what makes this university—and this city—special. It’s not just the academic programs or the campus facilities. It’s the connection to place, to community, to something larger than ourselves.

I hope to see you at Terryland Forest Park.

Words and images with thanks to Muskan, MSc Business Analytics