Neil Porteous      www.neilporteousgardens.com

Neil Porteous is an historic garden consultant, advisor to the National Trust UK and also to the Irish OPW.

He studied Landscape Management and Horticulture and completed an MA in Garden History at Bristol University.

He is currently working on two books on the gardening of Edith, Lady Londonderry at Mount Stewart, Co. Down and also the gardens of the Gilliland family at Brook Hall, Derry.

He is a regular contributor to journals and periodicals, gives talks, is a familiar broadcaster on BBC Radio 4 and leads garden tours worldwide.

Gardening research has lead him to China, the Himalayas, Australia etc

‘Plants for the Irish garden in the twenty first century’ is the title of Neil’s talk ,

Sunday 3.30pm.

Oliver Schurmann    www.mountvenusnursery.com

Oliver Schurmann and Liat Schurmann set up and run Mount Venus Nursery, Co. Dublin - one of the UK and Ireland’s great garden nurseries: Oliver trained in Germany under celebrated plantsman

Dr. Hans Simon.  Gardens by Oliver and Liat Schurman are always beautiful, imaginative ,original, pragmatic with a deep knowledge of ecology, horticulture and respect for place.

He and Liat are multiple gold medal winners at Bloom and their nursery is also a gold medal winner at The Chelsea Flower Show.

Their ‘In Perspective’ garden  2024 for the European Commission at Bloom won triple gold and their work was also part of The Ireland Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

 ‘Shared Roots, Common Shade’ another  double gold medal winner at Bloom this June was sponsored by the European Commission to mark Ireland’s forthcoming presidency of the EU

‘It’s never too late’ is the title of Oliver’s talk on Sunday Noon, July 5th.

Dr Jason Mc Elligott, Director Marsh’s Library, Dublin.  www.marshlibrary.ie

Dr Jason Mc Elligott is a distinguished historian, academic, author, editor and recipient of multiple awards. He read for his Ph.D in history in St. John’s College, Cambridge, was a Research Associate at Cambridge University and an IRCHSS Post Doctoral Fellow in UCD.. He was a Full Fellow of Merton College Oxford and a Visiting Research Fellow at Folger Library Washington DC

‘Labours of Love: the eighteenth-century Dublin gardens of Jonathan Swift and Royal Hospital, Kilmainham’  is the title of Dr. Jason McElligott’s talk on Sunday, July 5th at 2pm.

Sean Ó Gaoithín, a graduate of the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK and an MSc Agr, UCD. 

is responsible for the preservation, management and ecological development of the eleven hectares of Glenveagh Castle Gardens, one of the most celebrated gardens in Europe.

Key areas include The Walled garden, The Pleasure Grounds, Exotic & Woodland Plantings and The Ancient Woodland.

 A dedicated scholar of Irish native woodlands, cultural ecology and local biodiversity, among his many publications are The Ancient Woodlands of Glenveagh, Coillte Duchasacha Chontae Dhun na nGall. 

Heritage Garden Conservation, Native woodland ecology and microclimate horticulture are his areas of expertise. His botanical travels to Japan, S. Africa and China etc. feature in his publications and also through rep The PlantNet Network in Europe and Botanic Gardens Conservation internationally.

Karen is a member of the Flower Farmers of Ireland. She is a former Primary School teacher but now she has no time off at all in the summer as she’s busy being a sustainable florist, flower grower and garden designer.

She is passionate about biodiversity and has been planting species rich gardens, in a number of locations, for some year. These have attracted all kinds of wildlife, above and below ground. Native plants, especially self-seeded, are at the core of these gardens.

Karen is the designer behind the Flower Farmer of Ireland Silver Award in Bloom this year and was previously awarded the Gold with Riverlane Nurseries.

She is a member of Blanchardstown Gardening Group, founded by Aoife Munn and Michelle Griffin.

She is currently studying horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.

Saturday - 15:00

Loch Gréine: A Bright Vision - a breathtaking journey through the Graney valley in county Clare, rich in natural beauty, mythology, and cultural heritage, this documentary celebrates a cherished landscape through poetry, music and memory, while calling for its preservation for generations to come.

Directed by Marina Levitina. Music by Martin Hayes. Cinematography: Colm Hogan, Marina Levitina. 

Funded by the Heritage Council.

Marina is a passionate nature advocate, educator, and film-maker, and founder of Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary in county Clare. 

Bio to follow

The Botanic Art Exhibition is a well-established attraction at the festival featuring the work of many of Irelands best known Artists; many of the paintings are for sale, along with limited edition prints.

The Exhibition will be launched at 7pm on Friday the 3rd of July by Marek Zemla from the Connaught Bonsai Club

Location - Banquet Hall

Floral Art Competition / Growers Competition / Botanical Photography Competition / Children’s Competition

Sunday – Flower arranging demo

Location – Marque

Exhibition of Irish Lace

This exhibition will display the unique pieces created and hand stitched by Lásadóirí na Coiribe.  Each handmade piece draws its inspiration from the culture, heritage, landscape, flora and fauna of Galway.  Lace requires practice and precision; the result is a unique creation that reflects the artistry and skill of the maker's hands.

Two Antique Irish crochet lace wedding dresses (on loan from The traditional lacemakers of Ireland, Cork) will also be on display, threads of the past intertwined with those of the present.

Lace is delicate but highly decorative and as a group we share, promote and encourage community participation in lacemaking ensuring the continuance of these skills into the future....

Location - Banquet Hall