The President Invites: Travels with Michael Bowyer, Springtime in Ireland
The President Invites: Travels with Michael Bowyer MBE
Floristry Tours
NAFAS
The President Invites: Travels with Michael Bowyer, Springtime in Ireland
Join NAFAS President Michael Bowyer on this wonderful trip to southern Ireland to see beautiful gardens in springtime and meet the designers behind some of the country's best known gardens.
You will visit Helen Dillon's Garden, Powerscourt Estate, Hunting Brook Gardens, June Blake's Garden and Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens, and also be treated to a floral demonstration from NAFAS demonstrator and current President of the Association of Irish Floral Artists, Christine Hughes. Based for five nights at the 4* Ballsbridge Hotel in the centre of Dublin, you will also have plenty of time to explore the vibrant Irish capital.
Don't miss this wonderful adventure! Places are limited, so we advise early booking.
What We Love
Experiences you will treasure
What people say
We will catch the last of the Spring and the first of the Summer - it's going to be a joy! I can’t wait to see how Helen Dillon, who is an incredible plants woman, has downsized her previous garden at her new home. Powerscourt is listed as one of the World’s Greatest Gardens so that will be a treat and Kilmacurragh is lovely because it’s a satellite of the National Botanic Garden in Dublin. The other two are owned by Jimi and June Blake, who are brother and sister. Located just across the field from each other (although we won’t be asking people to walk across the field!), they are very different. June’s garden is quite traditional in its design and planting, while Jimi is renowned for the unusual way he places – often unusual - plants and combines colours, textures and shapes. And there’s Christine Hughes’ floral demonstration too – that’s going to be a joy.
Michael Bowyer MBE
What's included in your holiday
Itinerary - what you will do when
A Deeper Dive
Stretching over 47 acres, this is one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland, offering visitors a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statues, ornamental lakes and rambling walks. You will have free-time to explore the estate and gardens.
The gardens extend over approximately three acres and contain an eclectic collection of plants from around the world, including areas of bold herbaceous planting and a shade garden of ferns, grasses, bamboos and other woodland plants, punctuated by enormous granite boulders.
Hidden in the foothills of the majestic Wicklow Mountains, Hunting Brook Gardens is an extraordinary contemporary Irish garden. Created by the noted Irish horticulturalist, teacher and plantsman Jimi Blake, it boasts one the country's largest private collections of plants. Jimi is known for his fiercely colourful and theatrical large-scale planting combinations and Hunting Brook has them in plenty!
Located in Monkstown on the outskirts of Dublin, the new Dillon Garden is the work of celebrated TV gardener Helen Dillon. Enclosed behind granite walls, this town garden is filled with exotic plants, ornamental climbers, flowering shrubs and tree ferns.
Famous for its collections of conifers and rhododendrons, these fascinating botanic gardens owe much to the work of Thomas Acton, David Moore and his son, Sir Frederick Moore, curators of the 19th century National Botanic Gardens. The 19th century was a period of great botanical and geographical exploration and many plant species from around the world were introduced into Ireland for the first time. The different soil and climatic conditions at Kilmacurragh meant that these specimens thrived, resulting in the unmissable gardens that we can see today.
One of the most renowned, stylish and luxurious hotels in Dublin’s south, Ballsbridge Hotel is famous for its Irish hospitality and quality service. Set in the heart of Dublin 4, it is 20 minutes walk from the city centre.
Dublin is a multi-cultural creative hub with a warm and welcoming vibe. Nestled between Dublin Bay and the Dublin mountains, its streets brim with signs of the city's vibrant history and proud heritage. The centre is lively and filled with characterful pubs and restaurants, not to mention enticing shopping districts. A UNESCO City of Literature, Dublin is also home to many wonderful bookshops.
On Saturday night following dinner at your hotel, you will be joined by Christine Hughes, current president AOIFA (Association of Irish Floral Artists) and NAFAS National demonstrator for a series of floral demonstrations.
Before you book
- Please read our Booking Conditions, Covid-19 Additional Terms and Information and our commitment to your welfare.
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This tour requires a minimum of 10 passenger refer to point 7 in our booking conditions
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Mobility: this tour is generally suitable for most, if you are concerned or have specific issues please let us know ahead of booking
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Please ensure you have a valid passport (at least six months from the date of travel) and visa (if travelling on a non-EU passport)
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Travel insurance is required, please check you have adequate cover for COVID-19 related issues
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