Dr Michael Hennerty has launched a new book, The Heritage Apples of Ireland. Dr Hennerty was head of the department of horticulture in University College Dublin for many years. His book provides detailed genetic information of 68 different varieties of Irish apples.

Funding for the publication was made available through the Department of Agriculture’s Genetic Resources Grant Aid Scheme, which plays a very important role in ensuring that Ireland meets its international commitments in the area of conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture. The scheme was set up in 1996, and has approved funding of around €1.75 million to approximately 180 projects.

Speaking at the launch, Tom Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said: “This is a wonderful publication and is the first book of its kind to contain both a key and descriptors for the identification of traditional varieties of Irish apples. This book shows the many different varieties of Irish apples and it is remarkable that a small country such as our own has such diversity in the varieties of apples we grow.”