Boyle, Co. Roscommon
St Patrick’s visit to the town in the year 435 was the first definite recording of Boyle’s existance. On this visit St Patrick noticed that there was very poor accommodation for travellers and he suggested to St Attracta, the abbess of Kilaraught, that she should provide a hostel. This she did and the town grew [...]
{ all posts, ireland } { 0 comments }The Battle Of The Boyne Site
The Battle Of The Boyne Site was visited by The Garden Group yesterday Sunday 27th June. For a group that is entirely run free gratis yesterday would not have been possible without the help of Aisling Mc Mahon of the OPW and her team who gave us a personal guided tour of the grounds and [...]
{ all posts, garden group, parks & places } { One comment }Rediscover Fashion
With an estimated 93% of all textile waste in Ireland sent to landfill, rediscover fashion is a spin off – now fashion label – from Rediscover Centre Ballymun. Set up in 2007 its aim is to demonstrate the potential for textiles recycling, reuse and recovery in Ireland and also to highlight the environmental, social and [...]
{ all posts, courses/ gigs/ events } { 4 comments }Irelands Eye
The second garden group event took place today. This time to Irelands Eye. It was an amazing day. And to that some notes of thanks are due. To the legend that is Diarmuid O’Cathasaigh of The Howth Peninsula Historical Society, who spoke to us about the island and to Mary Stephenson who introduced me to [...]
{ all posts, garden group, parks & places } { 12 comments }Trim 2025 – the carbon [r]evolution begins
Before you read this – read Trim 2025 to go carbon neutral In what may have seemed, to some, like an almost niaive scenario to percieve… it now seems that young Martin Tighe literally has started what is now the most enviable vision ever to evolve worldwide and this one from a town in Ireland [...]
{ all posts, courses/ gigs/ events } { 4 comments }Cape Garden Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Whilst building the garden in the Wallacedene Township in South Africa, I would first like to note that I was a part of a team. A very large team. And I simply played a part. To that there where so many really good people I met out there. One in particular was a really good [...]
{ all posts, parks & places } { 3 comments }irish conker championship 2009
I said I’d go to Freshford to compete in The Irish Conker Championships …and I did. How did I get on…? Absolutely 110% had an amazing time…. I loved every second of it… How did I get on in the competition….? Honestly? K.O. ‘d in the first round I hadn’t trained…. Is it serious stuff…? [...]
{ all posts, courses/ gigs/ events } { 0 comments }a gardeners camera…
I thought I had the ultimate camera for a gardener, landscaper, outdoors kind of guy. I did. It broke. I now have the better solution. The old and now broken Olympus camera [was reviewed here]. A piece of equipment of any kind for any man a horticulturist should really be that little more indestructable. I [...]
{ all posts, techie } { 2 comments }looking for a painter & decorator in dublin…?
Do you remember the pink boat story….? I remember when I discovered our ‘sponsor’ actually was not ‘going to be involved’. My head went in my hands. A new low had arrived. Then it was decision time. Could I actually build a garden. With no money. One of my first calls – I rang Dave. [...]
{ all posts, office } { 2 comments }the new tech garden – book
Ever wanted a book with a little something… a little different… a little refreshing…. a breath of bloomin’ fresh air….? Look no further. By Paul Cooper – this isn’t really ‘a book‘, so to speak….its more a collection of designs from various garden designers using ‘modern materials and technologies in creating innovative and individualistic gardens [...]
{ all posts, recommended reading } { 3 comments }john brookes… the career of [book]
I like this book. A little more expensive than my last book review at €44.70 – but well worth it. I had about three of Johns book in my library up until recently… but very unfortunately they [and a large amount of others] grew legs and decided to go walkies To put in context how [...]
{ all posts, recommended reading } { 0 comments }Father Collins Park
I was talking to a friend of mine, Aidan, gate meister extraordinaire and part time garden enthusiast…. he was telling me about this [now] park that used to be a field where he and his Father used to hunt when he was younger… Peter, you just got to go & see this park… it is [...]
{ all posts, parks & places } { 9 comments }dubh linn garden
Nestled in behind Dublin Castle, just off Dame Street [palace st. to be exact] is one of the finest gardens I have ever entered in my life. You know when you just get that ‘feeling groovy’ kind of a nice feel….? That’s exactly what I got… Only one problem…. there is little to zero information [...]
{ all posts, parks & places } { 9 comments }osnabruck botanical gardens [botanischer garten]
In 1984 The Botanical Gardens of Osnabruck were born. To celebrate the gardens 25th anniversary I met with Curator Dr Nikolai Friesen [saturday 6th June] to find out a little more about this young yet amazing horticultural gem of north Germany Opened in 1984 the 8.6 hectare site includes 5.6 of which were formerly a [...]
{ all posts, parks & places } { 4 comments }the bloom in the park ’09 experience
The sun is splitting the skies, the Phoenix Park looks spectacluar…. you simply can’t imagine what a show Bloom in the Park has turned out to be. To only mention the gardens is, maybe, what I should be doing…. but, as a garden builder and designer at Bloom – they are all [seriously] amazing and [...]
{ all posts, courses/ gigs/ events } { 6 comments }
