EP042 - Open Garden Interview With Conall O’Caoimh Ardán Garden

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast which is an open garden feature, I talk to Conall O’Caoimh from Ardán Garden in Howth Co.Dublin. Its a really interesting chat about  Ardán Garden and how it is a series of different gardens within the main garden. Originally the garden was broken up with hedging to provide shelter from costal winds, but this breaking up or dividing also created garden rooms which could all be planted in different styles. Conall mentioned a book that inspired himself and Nuala in designing their garden and while the book wasn't accessible during the interview because it was being used to press flowers!! The name of it as promised is "The Essential Garden Book" by Terence Conran and Dan Pearson. Nuala Doherty and Conall O’CaoimhAddress: Ardán, Windgate Road, Howth, Co. DublinMobile: +353 87 972 4271E-mail: [email protected]: https://www.dublingardengroup.com/ardan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardangarden/Ardán is situated on half an acre (0.25Ha) of South-facing hillside in Howth (a hilly peninsula on the North side of Dublin Bay).Design is a response to the need for shelter from the coastal winds, so is broken into a series of spaces each planted in a singular style and evoking a different feeling. Meandering paths tempt the visitor in varied directions, each revealing another space, a different planting style and a change of mood. As you move from the house with its formal ‘hot’ and ‘cool’ herbaceous borders around the lawn, the design becomes more contemporary and the planting less formal. It includes a rock outcrop planted with alpines, water garden, vegetable garden, productive glasshouse and a small copse of trees underplanted with shade loving plants.Accessibility: includes steps and some gravel pathsEach area includes opportunities to sit and lingerThroughout the garden are spread unique ceramic sculptures hand-made by Conall in his home studio, and usually some are on sale to visitors. See www.HowthCeramics.comAn extensive plant list is available to visitors.Situated:Situated on Windgate Road, Howth, close to the Summit, precise directions and a map will be given when booking your visit.Open:By Appointment only.There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are be available on my website https://mastermygarden.com/If you are enjoying the podcast it would be great if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts its good to know people are enjoying and getting something from the podcast.  If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes please let me know, you can find me on Master My Garden social channels  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/Twitter: https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMGor email [email protected] the next time Happy GardeningJohn   Support the showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email:  [email protected]   Check out Master My Garden on the following channels   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/  Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/   Until next week  Happy gardening  John