From The Rugby Grounds of the Aviva to Garden Beds: Peter O’Mahony and Adam Frost in Conversation
One of the must-see events of the 2025 Carlow Garden Festival, this lively conversation brings together BBC Gardeners’ World favourite Adam Frost and Ireland rugby star Peter O’Mahony, revealing another passion of this great Munster and Ireland legend — gardening.
For Peter, his love of gardening is a retreat from the intensity of professional rugby, a place to switch off, relax and reconnect with nature. But does his love of gardening raise eyebrows in the Ireland dressing room? And can he inspire others, including his teammates, to get stuck into this rewarding hobby? Adam also gives his perspective on why gardening is as good for the soul as it is for the garden.
The evening then takes a fun twist when Adam offers his expert insights into Peter’s garden, proposing bold changes to his box hedges and beautiful lawns—some of which might be a step too far for the rugby legend! With Peter’s admiration for Adam’s work well known, expect lively debate, good-humoured resistance and plenty of gardening wisdom along the way, as Adam shares expert tips and insights that every gardener, from beginner to seasoned pro, can take home.
The event will conclude with a book signing, with Adam’s books available for purchase on the night.
About Peter O’Mahony
Peter O’Mahony is one of Ireland’s greatest rugby players. Born in 1989 in Cork, he has been a key figure in Irish rugby for over fifteen years. A powerful flanker, he is known for his leadership, toughness and skill. He has captained Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions, earning a reputation as a fearless competitor. O’Mahony made his Munster debut in 2010 and quickly became a crucial part of the team. He earned his first Ireland cap in 2012 and has since played in multiple Six Nations tournaments and Rugby World Cups. His leadership helped Ireland win Grand Slams and a number of historic victories over top teams. Off the pitch, O’Mahony has a deep love for gardening. He often speaks about how he enjoys spending time in his garden, working with plants and flowers.
Admission: €25. Groups 10+: 10% discount. Warm clothing recommended for this evening event. Enjoy late shopping in Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven until 10 p.m. Two course buffet meal with tea/coffee in Rachel’s Garden Café €24.95 5 – 7 p.m. Choice of three main courses and choice from the dessert counter.
Directions: R93 P9F4. From Dublin/Waterford take Exit 6 on M9 motorway and follow signs for Leighlinbridge. Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven is 3km from Exit 6 located immediately off the R448 at Leighlinbridge. Visitors travelling from Carlow Town should follow the R448.
Type of event: Indoors under roofed plant area. Opportunity to view Arboretum Inspirational Gardens outdoors, either before or after the talk.
About Adam Frost
Adam is an award-winning British Garden Designer and presenter on Gardeners’ World (BBC2). He regularly presents the BBC’s coverage of multiple RHS Flower Shows and has featured on The One Show and DIY SOS (BBC 1) and The Alan Titchmarsh Show (ITV).
In 2016 he won ‘Best New Talent’ at the RTS West Awards. Since 2007, Adam has amassed seven gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. He regularly lectures on a wide range of horticultural topics, both nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to Gardeners’ World and other horticultural magazines.
Adam’s first book Real Gardens was published in 2015, followed three years later by How to Create your Garden. In March 2022 he published The Creative Gardener, an incredibly personal book of garden projects created during lockdown. Autumn 2022 saw his first Gardener’s World tie in book published – How I Garden.
Adam is trained in horticulture and landscape design and began his professional career in the mid-1980s with an apprenticeship at the North Devon Parks Department. Adam later moved to Rutland where he began working with Geoff Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens where he helped design and create many of the thirty eight small gardens which are still on show to the public today.
In 2014 Adam set up The Homebase Garden Academy with the specific aim of helping Britain’s next generation of horticulture students kick-start their careers, by teaching them about garden design and landscaping. As well as running his own garden design and landscape business he also sits on the board for the Horticulture Trades Association, is an RHS Ambassador and until 2022 he ran The Adam Frost Garden School where he hosted masterclasses on design and other gardening courses.
Funded by Carlow County Council under the Festival and Event Scheme
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