GARDENS ILLUSTRATED: Contemporary Private Irish Gardens

7 September 2021

Join Jimi Blake, Irish gardener, and plantsman extraordinaire to explore the gardens of Dublin & the Wicklow Mountains. Featuring mostly very private gardens, some too exclusive even to name & Jimi Blakes very own garden, Hunting Brook.

Find examples of the exquisitely colourful, large-scale planting combinations at Jimi Blakes very own garden, Hunting Brook
Visit a number of special, private gardens, one which shall remain unnamed until the visit
Visit Tinode, where Jimi’s sister June Blake continues to embellish her small, intense garden with more horticultural wonders

Join Jimi Blake, Irish gardener, and plantsman extraordinaire, to explore the absolute best of Irish gardening in a careful selection of mostly very private gardens, some too exclusive even to name. Jimi will be accompanied by tour leader: Sophie Piebenga, well known and loved by many of our regular travellers for her charm, efficiency, and knowledge. A rich selection of gardens with fine dining, engaging company and - that essential ingredient - wonderful good humour. Meeting the Irish garden owners in the company of tour host Jimi Blake is akin to being welcomed into a great friendly family where we roll from house party to house party drinking in the beauty of the contrasting gardens and taken right to the warm heart of the Irish gardening world. We are based for two nights at The Marlfield Hotel a country house hotel renowned for warm Irish hospitality and excellent food served each evening in the Duck Restaurant this hotel even has its own wonderful gardens and then for the last night you are accommodated at the stylish Dylan Hotel in Dublin.

Day 1:
Depart London Heathrow at 08:50 to Dublin Airport, arriving at 10:15 on Aer Lingus flight EI153. To set the scene, our first garden is Hunting Brook, Jimi Blakes very own garden. Famous for its borders, Hunting Brook has been created from Jimi’s deep knowledge and love of plants and gardens, here you will find examples of the exquisitely colourful, large-scale planting combinations, for which he has become so well known. Jimi’s endgame is to find the very best, longest- flowering perennials, grow them in combination with great foliage plants in a way that’s both modern and inventive, to ensure that Hunting Brook looks great from early spring until the first hard frost. Following a welcoming lunch travel around the corner to Tinode where Jimi’s sister June Blake continues to embellish her small, intense garden with more horticultural wonders. The very best gardens intrigue and restore us, and so it is with June Blake’s garden which is a rare fusion of inspired design and painterly planting. Drive south to Marlfield House Hotel, our base for the next two nights, with time to settle in before dining together.
Day 2:
This morning we visit the gardens of a private estate near Dunlavin before a special invitation to Patthana, an award-winning garden in the village of Kilegan and home to artist T.J. Maher and his partner, Simon Kirby. Although small it is skillfully and beautifully planted and is a joy to see in all seasons. Following a delightful lunch return to Marlfield House Hotel for time to explore their own wonderful gardens. Dining together again this evening.
Day 3:
An exclusive visit to a private, formal garden, with impressive walled gardens, fine herbaceous borders, colourful annuals, trained fruit and a potager. Time today is included to find your own lunch, to shop or to explore Powerscourt, where we will also enjoy a guided tour of the historic gardens. Later, heading back to Dublin, we are invited to Corke Lodge, where we will enjoy a visit of the gardens followed by canapes and prosecco. Then transfer the short distance to The Dylan Hotel in Dublin where you dine together in the hotels award winning Eddison restaurant.
Day 4:
Today we visit three special Dublin gardens. We start with a very private visit to an exciting garden that cannot be named. Close by we discover Airfield Gardens that came to prominence under the leadership of Jimi Blake, since, they have continued to evolve with the help of designers Arabella Lennox Boyd and Dermot Foley and head gardener Colm O’Driscoll into a vibrant beautiful garden. A picnic lunch will be included at Airfield before driving to Ardán, a garden on a hilly peninsula overlooking Dublin Bay. Hedges and trees provide shelter from the costal winds but also create many contrasting spaces: moving from the house with formal ‘hot’ and ‘cool’ herbaceous borders, the planting becomes less formal with a natural rock outcrop planted with alpines, a water garden and productive kitchen garden. Return to Dublin International airport for 19:00 departure on EI182 arriving back in Heathrow at 20:20.

Return flights with Aer Lingus from London Heathrow to Dublin
Private coach transfers and excursions
Two nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the four-star Marlfield Hotel, Wexford and one night dinner, bed and breakfast at five-star Dylan Hotel, Dublin
Three dinners and three lunches
Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes and gratuities for coach drivers and waiters

Jimi Blake

Jimi Blake trained in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin as a horticulturist and was subsequently appointed Head Gardener at Airfield House in Dundrum, Dublin. He resuscitated a large Victorian garden to its former glory enabling the public to rediscover and enjoy a lost gem. After twelve years at Airfield, Jimi sought a new challenge and having secured twenty acres of the family estate he established “Hunting Brook Gardens.” He was now fulfilling his ambition of having his own garden, to grow and expand his plant collection and share his passion and knowledge with the public. He envisaged using his garden as a classroom and a showcase to demonstrate the diverse range of designs he could develop. Jimi has realized his dream of a dynamic and innovative garden and continues to develop his vision in new directions, always pushing the boundaries outwards. He continues to share his knowledge in a series of courses and workshops often engaging internationally renowned gardeners as guest speakers.

Sophie Piebenga

Trained with the National Trust and qualified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Whilst working as head gardener of a private estate, she developed a particular interest in the conservation of historic gardens. This eventually led to a doctoral study at the University of York, researching the work of the early Victorian landscape gardener, William Sawrey Gilpin. She has since worked freelance, mostly in the field of historic landscape conservation. Born in The Netherlands, now based in the Cotswolds, Sophie has lived most of her life in the UK. For the last 25 years, Sophie has regularly led tours for Boxwood to Ireland, France, Spain, The Netherlands and within the UK.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Your Accommodation

The Marlfield Hotel

★★★★

Marlfield House is renowned for its hospitality and service, welcoming guests for over 40 years, and is recognised as one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in Wexford, Ireland with the focus on environmentally sustainable practices. All rooms and suites at Marlfield House luxury hotel in County Wexford, Ireland are styled to provide you with elegant, comfortable interiors, furnished with antiques and paintings. Set in 36 acres of woodland, ornamental lake, rose, vegetable and herb gardens, it is a haven of tranquillity, with peacocks, hens, dogs and ponies waiting to greet you on your garden walk.

Room Facilities & Amenities

Floris toiletries
Frette linen
Bathrobes and slippers
Hairdryer
Wi-Fi
Flat screen TV
Radios

The Dylan Hotel

★★★★★

Just off Baggot Street in Dublin’s south city centre, choose Dylan Hotel in Dublin and make your stay in the capital city a unique experience. Stay in the historic townhouse, once home to the nurses of the Royal City of Dublin Hospital and now transformed into Dublins only five star boutique hotel. Located in a quiet and leafy neighbourhood but only minutes from the main sights and attractions in the city centre.

Room Facilities & Amenities

Percale high count cotton linen
Manually controlled air-conditioning
Flat screen High Definition TV
Complimentary WIFI
Bose Bluetooth Speaker
Laptop compatible personal safe
Telephone with direct dial
Fully stocked mini bar & box of Irish goodness
Nespresso Coffee Machine & Tea making facilities
Complimentary bottled water at Turndown
Professional hair dryer
Robes & slippers
Italian marble
Underfloor heating and heated towel rails
Double-sized shower with rainfall showerhead
Replica by Maison Margiela Bathroom Amenities

GARDENS ILLUSTRATED: Contemporary Private Irish Gardens

7 September 2021

Your Accommodation

Your Accommodation

The Marlfield Hotel

Room Facilities & Amenities

The Dylan Hotel

Room Facilities & Amenities

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