Rory Newell at Borris House

Rory Newell at Borris House

The Plant Hunters Guide to Northern Vietnam

Between 2015 and 2017 Blarney Castle and Gardens under the collection banner of Botanic Network Ireland set out on a series of plant collecting trips to Northern Vietnam. Rory Newell, who by his own admission is “plants mad” delivers an informative and entertaining talk on the trips, covering a broad range of topics including conservation/exsitu conservation, growing, propagating and developing a living catalogue of the plants in the gardens of Blarney Castle.

A photographic catalogue accompanies the talk, which covers everything from location, the people of Vietnam and some interesting brushes with the local flora and fauna encountered along the way.

Follow the talk with a guided tour of Borris House, the ancestral home of the McMorrough Kavanaghs, Kings of Leinster,  one of the few Irish estates that can trace its history back to the Royal families of ancient Ireland. The tour covers all aspects of the history of the house, from the original 15th century castle, through its many subsequent changes and alterations, right up to the present day. There are so many things to admire on the tour from the beauty of the Stapleton ceilings to the unique Chapel of St. Moling, as well as a room by room description of the exceptional architecture, antique furniture, porcelain and paintings on display.

On view for the first time ever are the recently restored Egyptian watercolours of Lady Harriet Kavanagh and the Borris Lace. In the recently restored Granary visitors can watch a film on the history of the McMorrough Kavanaghs and Borris House, walk around the Lace Garden, visit the restored Victorian laundry, and enjoy the Woodland Walk along the Mountain Stream. The Store at Borris House sells local crafts, jewellery, ceramics, leather goods and textiles and is located at the front gate entrance. House tours €10.

Biography – Rory Newell

Rory is a Galway/Cork based horticulturist, plants person and plant propagator. He occasionally contributes to horticultural publications and has been on plant hunting trips to Northern Vietnam. Craft gardener/chief propagator at Blarney Castle and Gardens, Rory is “plant mad” and has designed and built many show gardens both for himself and for others. An aspiring nursery owner, Rory owns and runs “Forest Moon” the on-line presence for the  future nursery. The page is a photographic plant catalogue full of information and helpful tips on how to grow with success. Rory has many collections of plants and is passionate about all things botanical.