For the second year in a row, shamrocks grown by prisoners at Castlerea Prison have been presented to the Oireachtas, in a bid to raise funds for charity.

According to Independent Senator, Victor Boyhan, over 100 small pots of shamrocks have been gifted by the Roscommon-based prison, which are now on display at reception in Leinster House.

An honesty box is also in situ by the shamrocks, in which donations can be placed to to raise proceeds for Esker House Domestic Abuse, a charity that was especially chosen by the inmates.

Castlerea Prison is a closed category, medium security prison in Co. Roscommon for males over the age of 17 years old, with a bed capacity of 340.

Separately, scientists at VistaMilk - the Science Foundation Ireland agri-food research centre - have discovered that clover planted in fields where cows graze, can reduce the use of fertiliser nitrogen by up to 40%.

Studies published by the VistaMilk research group demonstrate that correct and managed introduction of clover onto grasslands can reduce farmers dependency on fertiliser from an average of 250 kg per hectare for grass- to 150 kg per hectare.

In addition, the scientists reported that cows grazing on multispecies swards produce a better quality of milk than they do on grass.

PhD student at VistaMilk in Fermoy Co. Cork, Renata Kostovska, who is undertaking research into multi-species swards, has claimed that clover will be key to ensuring an environmentally sustainable future for Irish dairy.

Kostovska said: “What we’re seeing in our studies shows that the mix of indigenous Irish plants in our multi-species pastures – symbolised by St. Patrick’s shamrock – can help us combat climate change and improve our environmental performance.

“In the future, we might even see milk in our shops that is categorised as coming from multi-species swards, and consumers will know that, by buying it, they’re buying something that’s making an environmental difference.

"But, clearly, St. Patrick could have told them that.”