Rediscover the beauty of slowing down in the garden with Daphne Shackleton’s inspiring talk, Reinventing the Shrubbery – Some Thoughts.
Once a traditional feature of every Irish garden, shrubberies often became forgotten corners dominated by dense evergreen planting. Daphne explores how these spaces can now be reimagined as vibrant havens filled with colour, texture and scent. Drawing on years of gardening experience, she shares ideas for combining shrubs with perennials, grasses and bulbs to create natural planting schemes.
This talk provides plenty of practical ideas and fresh inspiration for transforming overlooked areas into beautiful garden features.
About Daphne Shackleton
Daphne Shackleton, botanist, gardener and artist, has for the past thirty years combined her expertise of plants, ecology and gardens with her artistic skills in a successful garden consultancy practice from her organic farm and garden in Co. Cavan.
She was formerly a Director of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland and is currently a judge at Bloom.
Directions: R14 KF63. From Dublin/Waterford take Exit 3 on M9 motorway and follow signs for Athy. Take the second left turn and Burtown House is on the left, well signposted.
Type of event: This event takes place indoors. There is an opportunity to view the gardens at Burtown House after the talk. Admission: Adults €8, children €4, under 8 free. House tours €10.
Explore the Grounds of Burtown House
At the heart of the estate stands Burtown House, an elegant Georgian villa dating from 1710 and still home to the same family who have cared for it for generations. Surrounded by 12 acres of gardens, visitors can wander through vibrant flower borders, productive kitchen gardens, tranquil woodland walks and species-rich meadows alive with pollinators throughout the growing season. The garden is a place of constant discovery, where winding paths lead to unexpected sculptures, hidden views and moments of quiet beauty that encourage visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in their surroundings.
Art is woven into the fabric of Burtown. The Sculpture Park and Gallery provide opportunities to encounter works that surprise and inspire. Together, the gardens and artworks create a landscape where nature and creativity exist in harmony.
No visit would be complete without time spent at the award-winning Green Barn Restaurant. Overlooking the kitchen gardens, it celebrates a true farm-to-fork philosophy, with menus shaped by the seasons and ingredients harvested just metres from your table.
The Green Barn Restaurant is easily accessible as a quick brunch or lunch stop, a more relaxed luncheon style affair or for dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Serving the freshest possible seasonal produce that comes straight from the kitchen gardens, polytunnels and surrounding fields. The ethos is on combining seasonal ingredients, using flavours, textures and colours. If you’re planning to dine after Daphne Shackleton’s talk, prior booking is essential. The Green Barn’s inspiring interior spaces are rustic and contemporary, with an amazing view of the kitchen garden, with different art exhibitions, large photos from the acclaimed Vanishing Ireland books, as well as sculptures from Zimbabwe and by Irish artists. Interior artefacts and antiques sourced specifically for the Green Barn are on sale in the shop. Alongside the restaurant, Jo’s Pantry offers an enticing selection of artisan foods, fresh produce, cheeses, preserves and breads, perfect for taking a taste of Burtown home with you.
The Green Barn Restaurant and Shop is open Wednesday to Sunday for brunch and lunch, evening dinner available Friday and Saturday – booking is essential. Please check the times.
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Carlow Tourism and Carlow Tourist Office, College Street, Carlow
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