Irish Consul to Vancouver BC, Frank Flood reflects on 2019 and looks toward 2020

Ambassador Jim Kelly reflects on 2019 and looks toward 2020.

Ambassador Jim Kelly reflects on 2019 and looks toward 2020.

The Mount Congreve Story so far…The Woodland gardens at Mount Congreve were founded on the inspiration, generosity and encouragement of Mr. Lionel N. de Rothschild. He became arguably, the greatest landscaper of the 20th Century and one of the cleverest hybridists. He died in 1942. The original gardens at Mount Congreve had comprised of a simple terraced garden with woodland of ilexes and sweet chestnuts on the slopes falling down to the river. The Gardens are held in Trust for the State.AMBROSE CONGREVEThe original gardens at Mount Congreve had comprised of a simple terraced garden with woodland of ilexes and sweet chestnuts on the slopes falling down to the river. Ambrose Congreve began planting parts of these in his late teens but it was not until 1955 that he began to make large clearings in the woodlands to create the necessary conditions where his new plants would thrive. With the arrival of Mr. Herman Dool in the early sixties, the two men began the process that would lead to Mount Congreve’s recognition as one of the ‘Great Gardens of the World’. Up to the very last years of his life, Mr Congreve could be found in the gardens dispensing orders and advice relating to his beloved plants.Mr. Herman Dool with Mr. Congreve developed the gardens over 40 years. He received the Orange Order of Nassau from the Queen of Holland, the equivalent of a British Knighthood, for his achievements. He died in 2004. The Magnolia Walk was renamed The Herman Dool Walk in March 2019 in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the gardens.Awards for HorticultureAmbrose Congreve’s achievements were acknowledged by Queen Elizabeth, who awarded him a CBE, and by Trinity College Dublin, which granted him an honorary doctorate. Up to the very last years of his life, Mr Congreve could be found in the gardens dispensing orders and advice relating to his beloved plants. He afforded his longevity to having a garden to care for.The Gardens had been open to gardening enthusiasts each Thursday of the summer months for many years. In April 2011 Mr. Congreve was in London en route to the Chelsea Flower Show, aged 104, when he died. His ashes were returned to Mount Congreve and placed in the temple overlooking his gardens and the River Suir below.The gardens are held to the state in trustThe House and Gardens were bequeathed to the state and are held in Trust. Following an auction of the entire contents of the house and a period of uncertainty regarding the fate of Mount Congreve, it became clear that in order to preserve and protect the gardens, new revenue streams needed to be identified and pursued. The work started by Mr. Congreve continues up to the present. The collection is still expanding steadily under the encyclopaedic knowledge of Curator Mr. Michael White (Waley Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain) with new additions and our own programme of breeding to create new hybrids of Rhododendrons and Magnolias among others.

A café serving teas & coffee and seasonal produce from the gardens has been added and full ticketed access to the gardens along with guided tours for all levels of interest are available. A garden shop on site with plants propagated within Mount Congreve are available for purchase. An extensive annual events programme is in development and with extended opening hours to the gardens and an access point to/from the Waterford Greenway, our mission is to preserve and protect the gardens for future generations.

The Mount Congreve Story so far…The Woodland gardens at Mount Congreve were founded on the inspiration, generosity and encouragement of Mr. Lionel N. de Rothschild. He became arguably, the greatest landscaper of the 20th Century and one of the cleverest hybridists. He died in 1942. The original gardens at Mount Congreve had comprised of a simple terraced garden with woodland of ilexes and sweet chestnuts on the slopes falling down to the river. The Gardens are held in Trust for the State.AMBROSE CONGREVEThe original gardens at Mount Congreve had comprised of a simple terraced garden with woodland of ilexes and sweet chestnuts on the slopes falling down to the river. Ambrose Congreve began planting parts of these in his late teens but it was not until 1955 that he began to make large clearings in the woodlands to create the necessary conditions where his new plants would thrive. With the arrival of Mr. Herman Dool in the early sixties, the two men began the process that would lead to Mount Congreve’s recognition as one of the ‘Great Gardens of the World’. Up to the very last years of his life, Mr Congreve could be found in the gardens dispensing orders and advice relating to his beloved plants.Mr. Herman Dool with Mr. Congreve developed the gardens over 40 years. He received the Orange Order of Nassau from the Queen of Holland, the equivalent of a British Knighthood, for his achievements. He died in 2004. The Magnolia Walk was renamed The Herman Dool Walk in March 2019 in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the gardens.Awards for HorticultureAmbrose Congreve’s achievements were acknowledged by Queen Elizabeth, who awarded him a CBE, and by Trinity College Dublin, which granted him an honorary doctorate. Up to the very last years of his life, Mr Congreve could be found in the gardens dispensing orders and advice relating to his beloved plants. He afforded his longevity to having a garden to care for.The Gardens had been open to gardening enthusiasts each Thursday of the summer months for many years. In April 2011 Mr. Congreve was in London en route to the Chelsea Flower Show, aged 104, when he died. His ashes were returned to Mount Congreve and placed in the temple overlooking his gardens and the River Suir below.The gardens are held to the state in trustThe House and Gardens were bequeathed to the state and are held in Trust. Following an auction of the entire contents of the house and a period of uncertainty regarding the fate of Mount Congreve, it became clear that in order to preserve and protect the gardens, new revenue streams needed to be identified and pursued. The work started by Mr. Congreve continues up to the present. The collection is still expanding steadily under the encyclopaedic knowledge of Curator Mr. Michael White (Waley Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain) with new additions and our own programme of breeding to create new hybrids of Rhododendrons and Magnolias among others.

A café serving teas & coffee and seasonal produce from the gardens has been added and full ticketed access to the gardens along with guided tours for all levels of interest are available. A garden shop on site with plants propagated within Mount Congreve are available for purchase. An extensive annual events programme is in development and with extended opening hours to the gardens and an access point to/from the Waterford Greenway, our mission is to preserve and protect the gardens for future generations.

In Ireland, January 6th is Nollaig na mBan (pronounced Null-ug na Mon), which means “Little Christmas”, which is also known as “Women’s Christmas”: The custom is to celebrate of the women of Ireland for working tirelessly during the holidays by having the men handle all the housework and cooking.  This special program features amazing stories about strong Irish women, past & present, with “great Celtic music & craic too.” A one-hour radio documentary.

Producer: Frances Roberts Reilly

Host: Frances Roberts Reilly & Margaret O’Shea Bonner

Technical and editing by Brandon Highmore

In Ireland, January 6th is Nollaig na mBan (pronounced Null-ug na Mon), which means “Little Christmas”, which is also known as “Women’s Christmas”: The custom is to celebrate of the women of Ireland for working tirelessly during the holidays by having the men handle all the housework and cooking.  This special program features amazing stories about strong Irish women, past & present, with “great Celtic music & craic too.” A one-hour radio documentary.

Producer: Frances Roberts Reilly

Host: Frances Roberts Reilly & Margaret O’Shea Bonner

Technical and editing by Brandon Highmore

Liam Rellis, who works at the Waterford Museum of Treasures has a wealth of knowledge and also has years of experience in theatre and the arts. Liam’s knowledge on local history, creates an atmosphere of fun but most importantly one of learning.Waterford Treasures – Three Museums in the Viking Triangle situated in the heart of Ireland’s oldest city.  Three museums within a few paces of each other tell the 1100 year old story of Waterford from its foundation in 914 by Viking sea pirates.The massive stone fortress Reginald’s Tower houses Waterford's Viking Treasures.  Ireland’s only Medieval Museum showcases spectacular Treasures from the Middle Ages.  The elegant 1743 Bishop’s Palace is the home of the Treasures of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Liam Rellis, who works at the Waterford Museum of Treasures has a wealth of knowledge and also has years of experience in theatre and the arts. Liam’s knowledge on local history, creates an atmosphere of fun but most importantly one of learning.Waterford Treasures – Three Museums in the Viking Triangle situated in the heart of Ireland’s oldest city.  Three museums within a few paces of each other tell the 1100 year old story of Waterford from its foundation in 914 by Viking sea pirates.The massive stone fortress Reginald’s Tower houses Waterford's Viking Treasures.  Ireland’s only Medieval Museum showcases spectacular Treasures from the Middle Ages.  The elegant 1743 Bishop’s Palace is the home of the Treasures of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham stands on the site of the 7th century Early Christian settlement of Cill Maighneann, from which the area of Kilmainham derives its name. In 1174, Strongbow developed the site replacing the Christian settlement with a medieval hospital and monastery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers). With the dissolution of the monasteries under the rule of Henry VIII between 1536 and 1541, the settlement was closed and the lands remained vacant until 1680. The Royal Hospital Kilmainham was established and built between 1680 and 1684 on a 60 acre site granted by King Charles II at the instigation of James Butler, First Duke of Ormond.Inspired by 'Les Invalides' in Paris, France, then recently opened as Louis XIV's home for his army pensioners, Ormond obtained a charter from King Charles to construct a similar type of building at Kilmainham.The Royal Hospital Kilmainham stands on the site of the 7th century Early Christian settlement of Cill Maighneann, from which the area of Kilmainham derives its name. In 1174, Strongbow developed the site replacing the Christian settlement with a medieval hospital and monastery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers). With the dissolution of the monasteries under the rule of Henry VIII between 1536 and 1541, the settlement was closed and the lands remained vacant until 1680. The Royal Hospital Kilmainham was established and built between 1680 and 1684 on a 60 acre site granted by King Charles II at the instigation of James Butler, First