EP194- Ciaran Fitzgerald Exploring Johnstown Castle Estate: A Journey of Horticultural Restoration and Conservation

In this weeks episode John chats with Ciaran Fitzgerald head gardener of Johnstown Castle Estate all about the gardens and the restoration that is ongoing down there. Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through the breathtaking grounds of Johnstown Castle Estate with Ciaran Fitzgerald, the man tasked with preserving its grandeur. Ciaran, head gardener of this magnificent castle estate in County Wexford, Ireland, shares the triumphs, challenges, and painstaking efforts behind the maintenance and improvement of this historical site. From the stunning lakes to the terrace walk, and the newly renovated glass house, Ciaran's commitment to cultivating the estate's beauty is nothing short of inspiring.As we wander the estate, Ciaran takes us on a deep dive into their commendable conservation endeavors, which have seen the planting of over 3,000 native trees and 6,500 native bulbs in the past four years alone. Discover their ongoing restoration of the estate's meadows and the creation of a brand new woodland area. Ciaran's innovative approach to managing the spread of various plant species and creating an environmentally-friendly aesthetic offers valuable insights into the world of large-scale gardening and conservation. Lastly, we turn our attention to the pièce de résistance, the recently restored Richardson glass house. Ciaran fills us in on the painstaking efforts that went into restoring this architectural masterpiece and the exciting plans for its future. We also chat about future projects including the possible, introduction of an edible food forest.  We also chat about some of the common challenges in gardening, such as dealing with pests like Box Moth, Ash dieback Etc. So, whether you're a gardening enthusiast or a history lover, tune in for an enchanting exploration of Johnstown Castle Estate and its captivating stories of restoration, conservation, and horticultural dedication.Keep up to date with all upcoming events in Johnstown castle through the websitehttps://johnstowncastle.ieIrish Heritage Trust are responsible for  Johnstown Castle and all the works that go on there. To hear more about Irish Heritage Trust and their other properties around Ireland visit their website.https://irishheritagetrust.ieIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/  Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/  Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  or email [email protected]   Until next week  Happy gardening  John 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