COMPETITION

The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland

Have you ever picked up a book and thought “I should have written that”? I did just that today. I got hold of a copy of Shirley Lanigan’s book called The 100 Best Gardens In Ireland. As soon as the cover was opened, it sent me back to the late 1990’s when I was traveling around Ireland in my caravan visiting gardens of interest and writing down the findings on a little notepad.
At the time I was following a book called The Hidden Gardens of Ireland which highlighted the fact that there were unrecognised garden treasures that were not being publicised. It wasn’t until 2001 when Shirley Lanigan came out with her first book O’Brian Guide to Irish Gardens that a lot of these gems and a lot of others were brought to the attention of the public.

Expensive Business

It was visiting these gardens that gave me a fascinating insight into the determination and sheer financial burdens that keeping some of these stately properties and gardens in good order entailed. Most houses and garden owners were living hand to mouth to keep their places opened and I am sure nothing much has changed there.

Reference Book

The 100 Best Irish Gardens In Ireland helps to highlight some of these gardens both in the north and south of the country, and can be used a reference book for when you are travelling around and can’t get internet connection to Google the area you are in for gardens. Technology has certainly moved on since I was getting lost and ending up on one way laneways with the caravan in tow and having to do a 30 point turn to get on the road again. As Shirley points out in her book, the Sat Nav saved her hours of getting lost and scouring the countryside for the garden she was visiting. Included in the book are all of the opening times and admission costs to the gardens so you won’t turn up and find the place locked up for the winter.

Fun

The book was obviously a joy to put together and I can really appreciate the fun Shirley must have had talking to the owners and workers of the gardens. More recently I did an article for the local paper called “A Stroll in the Garden” The article consisted of me asking about twenty set questions such as “What is your favourite flower” “What is your favourite tool?” and “How do you cope with irritations on the garden?” The article you could read in two minutes, I was talking to the owners for at least two hours on average. I usually had an enthusiastic tour of the garden accompanied by tea and cakes. By all accounts it looks as though Shirley had the same type of experiences. As she says in the introduction “Visiting gardens is no job. It is pure pleasure.” Shirley goes into far more detail with the garden owners than I did in my light hearted newspaper article, delving into their historical pasts in a really interesting and concise manner.

Why I didn’t think of writing that book I’ll never know. Maybe I could do a variation called “Best 100 Vegetable Raised Beds.” You might be getting a call from me soon....

The “Must Have” book for anyone interested in Gardens

The full colour book “100 Best Gardens in Ireland”, takes us on an informative, interesting and pictorial tour of some of Ireland's most spectacular gardens, both north and south. There are hundreds of newly commissioned photographs highlighting the variety and beauty of Irish gardens.

Written by acclaimed journalist Shirley Lanigan, The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland explores the gardens histories, design, flora and fauna, and also includes interviews with owners, curators and gardeners. In addition, it acts as a practical guide, providing information on fees, opening hours, and has been designed as a handbook to take around the country whilst visiting these remarkable horticultural sights.

Building on Shirley Lanigan's previous book on Irish gardens printed in 2001, which was hailed as 'probably the most comprehensive guide to Irish gardens, North and South, published to date', The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland is for anyone who can appreciate the very best of Irish gardens, from the truly magnificent and celebrated to the never-before-seen secret gardens.

COMPETITION TIME

WIN THIS FABULOUS BOOK

Gardening.ie has 3 paperback books to give away in our latest competition.
To be in with a chance of winning “The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland” All you have to do is answer this simple question.

Q. Glenveagh Castle Gardens are featured in “100 Best Gardens in Ireland”. What county are these wonderful gardens in?
a. Antrim
b. Cork
c. Donegal

GO TO THE COMPETITION PAGE TO ENTER

closing date 29th July 2011