Mary Reynolds Designs

What is an Irish garden? There is no such thing as a garden in the Irish tradition apart from within the monastic tradition of food production. Gardens are an imported concept to this island. People travel from all over the world to visit Irish gardens but what they are actually seeing are gardens from the English, Italian and French traditions. The land to us, is so much more than a pretty garden. It is full of mythology history, pain, poetry, longing, loss and passion. This connection we have with the land is a deep and intrinsic connection that is expressed in our language, writings, poetry, art and music. However, it is rarely expressed in our garden designs.

Garden design is a fickle sport. Trends are set by the latest styles in fashion, music and art. However, gardens (if you are lucky enough to have one) are the only piece of land we are personally responsible for in this world. It is the only chance, most of us have to make a connection with nature in todays busy world.