Friday 05/08/11

Leighlinbridge – the Garden Village with Dermot O’ Neill

carlow garden festival

Led by gardening expert Dermot O’ Neill, this tour focuses on four gardens built and designed by the local community to commemorate various aspects of village life over the years including the Millennium Garden, Vivaldi Garden, Sculpture Garden and the Garden of Remembrance.
 
Venue: The Sculpture Garden, riverside area, Leighlinbridge Village
Time: 12 p.m. Admission: FREE

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At the Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre with Dermot O’ Neill:
 
carlow garden festival

Maximising Colour in Your Garden – late-summer flowering plants

Dermot O’ Neill hosts a lively presentation on late-summer flowering plants which is guaranteed to be an enthralling afternoon for all. Dermot will also share his in-depth knowledge growing roses and recommend some of his favourites. Coupled with Dermot’s enthusiasm and vast knowledge of all things associated with gardening, this is guaranteed to be an enthralling afternoon for all. P.S. don’t forget to bring a notebook and pen for great tips and advice!
 
Venue: Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow 
Time: 2 p.m. Admission: FREE

 

carlow garden festival

Garden Tour of the Arboretum Inspirational Garden

Garden Tour of the Arboretum Inspirational Garden
 
A one hour tour of the amazing Arboretum Inspirational Gardens, a new and exciting display garden in the company of Dermot O’ Neill. The garden is designed to help visitors create their own dreams while showing them that gardening is both stylish and fun and can be enjoyed in any busy lifestyle.
 
Venue: Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow 
Time: 3.30 p.m. Admission: FREE

 

The Leighlinbridge district is rich in history, favoured with fertile land and enhanced by the River Barrow which meanders slowly through the village. The foundation for its beauty lies directly with its people who demonstrate a sense of pride and work tirelessly to preserve and enhance this unique area. This pride is evidenced by a range of gardens, built and designed by the local community to commemorate various aspects of village life over the years. "It is a place of infinite tranquility and restfulness, an inspired use of a simple setting in this village of special charm" - Excerpt from the judging committee of the Barrow Awards Scheme on Leighlinbridge.

LEIGHLINBRIDGE millennium garden

The Millennium Garden consists of seven small individual gardens, each with its own theme represented by trees, shrubs and stones. Using materials indigenous to the local area, the garden tells the story of life through a series of themes including peace and tranquillity, happiness, friendship, reconciliation, hope, harmony and eternity.
The Vivaldi Garden is based on Vivaldi’s musical concerto “The Four Seasons” and comprises four formal gardens, each depicting a season of the year. To create a formal effect each rectangle is lined with Buxus Sempervirens and formed into triangles with Lavendula. Each season is represented by specific planting including Primula and Rosemary Prostrata for spring. Campanula and Astilbies symbolise summer while autumn is characterised by a number of plants including Sedum, Lobelia Cardinalis and Sedum Spectabiles. In winter the garden is still a joy to visit planted with Erica December Red, Erica Sprindwood pink and Carex sempervirens.

LEIGHLINBRIDGE garden of remembrance

The Garden of Remembrance beside the River Barrow commemorates important occasions in the history of the village including the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulrooney, a World War 1 Memorial and the Entente Florale Gold Award. A number of commemorative trees have been planted together with ballerina roses and shrubs.

LEIGHLINBRIDGE sculpture garden

The Sculpture Garden is dedicated to three of Leighlinbridge’s most famous sons – Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran – Australia’s first Cardinal, John Tyndall, the mountaineer and scientist who developed the light pipe, the forerunner to fibre optics and Captain Myles Keogh, second in command to General Custer who lost his life at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876 at the hands of the Sioux.

 

 

LEIGHLINBRIDGE & ARBORETUM LIFESTYLE & GARDEN CENTRE

About Dermot O'Neill

Dermot O'Neill

With over 20 years experience in broadcasting and lecturing, Dermot O’ Neill is one of Ireland’s best-loved gardening experts. His down to earth, colourful and easy-to-follow style brings the joy of gardening to a wide audience. Dermot writes for the RTE Guide and is the gardening contributor to the Weekend Magazine in the Saturday Independent.

Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre Ireland’s first five star garden centre

Arboretum lifestyle & garden centreKilkenny Road (N9), Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow.
t: + 353 (0) 59 9721558
f: + 353 (0) 59 9721642
e: info@arboretum.ie
www.arboretum.ie

FACILITIES: Toilets, large car and coach park, wheelchair accessible, restaurant with wine licence, pet shop, retail park with top retail brands including Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

HOW TO FIND US: Continue along the M9 Carlow Bypass and the N9 towards Waterford. The Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre is located immediately off the N9 at Leighlinbridge. Alternatively visitors travelling directly from Carlow Town may follow the R448 until it joins the N9 Carlow – Waterford Road. Directions from here as above.

OPENING TIMES: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Bank Holidays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
 


Other website links:

 

For further information on Carlow Garden Festival contact Carlow Tourism

click for carlow tourism website

Tel +353 (0) 5991 30411
Fax +353 (0) 5991 30477

info@carlowtourism.com