Helen Dillon at Rathwood

Sunday 29^th July 2018

Helen Dillon at Rathwood

I wish I had done it years ago…

Often described as the undisputed queen of Irish gardening, Helen Dillon is a legendary plantswoman, international lecturer, author and creator of the world famous Dillon Garden. Having moved house in 2016 Helen speaks about setting up a new garden at her new home, bringing new challenges and new opportunities. Helen will offer a personal reflection on the pleasing aspects of good garden design and the joys of establishing her new garden.

Biography

Helen Dillon is an author, broadcaster and garden consultant.  She has lectured many times in USA (27 different states), Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France and the UK and has travelled extensively in order to study plants in Nepal, Sikkim, China, South America, South Africa and New Zealand. In 1999 she was awarded the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in England and in 2003 the George Robert White Medal of Honour from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

In autumn 2004 she was made a distinguished counsellor to the Board of The New York Botanical Garden. In The garden at 45 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, Ireland was open to the public for 30 years.

She has written five books, of which Helen Dillon’s Garden Book published 2007, was Robin Lane Fox’s garden book of the year in the Financial Times (UK) and also number 1 on the Timber Press list in US. She has been a regular columnist for many different publication including the RHS Garden magazine. Helen has just moved to a new garden in Monkstown, Co. Dublin where he is much enjoying the new beginning.

Rathwood

With over a quarter million visitors each year Rathwood is the perfect place to spend a day out. This family owned spacious and well laid out centre houses an award winning garden centre, exclusive ranges of ladies clothing and shoes, a beauty salon, beautiful interior styled rooms, stylish gifts and a family friendly restaurant. Outside there are lovely woodland walks, a children’s playground, the maze of Ireland and a train ride.

Lunch at Rathwood’s restaurant is pivotal to the Rathwood shopping experience, where customers can relax and enjoy impressive wholesome lunches and a delicious selection of home baking (function room/group menus available). Rathwood is also perfect for a lunch stop on a trip to Altamont Gardens which are located nearby.

Facilities

Multi-award winning exclusive centre consisting of a beauty salon, furniture and interiors shops, gift shops, restaurant, garden centre, ladies fashions and shoes, potteries, children’s clothing, stone landscaping, garden sheds, childrens’ outdoor play garden, train rides, forest walks, large coach and car park, toilets, wheelchair access.