To mark the RHSI’s two hundred year contribution to horticulture, arboriculture and floral art in Ireland, a Gala Celebration, the high point of our Bicentenary events will take place on FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2016.
On the 30th 0f September 1816 a group of principal gardeners from the Dublin area met at the Rose Tavern in Donnybrook (now the garda station) and they decided to set up a body called the Horticultural Society of Ireland.
The Bicentenary Gala will be an exciting and varied all day/evening event.
It is being held in the RDS Concert Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
(Anglesea Road entrance)
PROGRAMME
11.00am. Jenny Murphy – Celebration Floral Art Demonstration.
Jenny won RHS Florist of the Year and a Gold Medal for her ‘chandelier creation’ at the Chelsea Flower Show 2012. She won Irish Interflora Florist of the Year in 2011 and Irish Interflora Florist of the Future in 2009. Due to her remarkable achievements in floral art, Jenny was invited to showcase at the 2014 Singapore Garden Festival, winning a Bronze medal for her creation ‘Turning Darkness to Light’ taking inspiration from Irish Celtic design, heritage and culture.
2.00pm. Dan Hinkley ‘From Shadow to Sun – Making Windcliff’
A highly respected modern plant explorer and collector, recipient of numerous awards, author of several books such as ‘The Explorer’s Garden’ and ‘Winter Ornamentals’, a stimulating lecturer, talented plant breeder and nurseryman who is committed to sustainable horticultural practice and plant life diversity. Dan left a shady woodland garden and moved to a sun-baked 2 acre site high above Puget Sound to create his garden at Windcliff, with breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, the Seattle city skyline and the Pacific Ocean.
3.30pm. Roy Lancaster, CBE ‘A Life of Plants’
Known as ‘The Ultimate Plantsman’, Roy is a renowned plant collector, gardener, broadcaster and author of numerous books such as ‘What Plant Where’, ‘What Perennial Where’ and Plantsman’s Paradise – Travels in China’ to name a few. Roy spent eighteen years with Hillier’s Nurseries and for ten of those years he was curator of the Hillier Arboretum. His own garden on one third of an acre in Hampshire is filled with 1,000 different plants and is a perennial source of challenge, surprise, excitement and relaxation, with stories and memories to share with those who garden.
7.30pm. Monty Don ‘Gardens of Europe’
Millions of viewers watch BBC’s ‘Gardeners’ World’ and tune in to ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ for Monty’s inspiration, advice and guidance. The most recognized gardener on television, he has spent over 20 years in broadcasting, Monty has gone ‘Around the World in 80 Gardens’ with particular focus on French and Italian gardens. He has written over 15 books including ‘The Complete Gardener’, Gardening at Longmeadow’ and ‘Fork to Fork’ and was the Observer’s gardening editor for over 10 years. His BBC series ‘Big Dreams, Small Spaces’ helps the garden owners and viewers with little horticultural knowledge to create an interest in gardening. Monty has made organic gardening and care for the environment cool, achievable and fun.
