(Garden) Guest Speaker: St Dominics School, Ballyfermot, Dublin

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pic above courtesy Ms Mills, St Dominics Secondary School

I’ve done garden talks before. Christ Church Cathedral for Dublin Garden Festival, Clare Garden Festival and of course with Gardening Clubs. And although I have also spoken with schools before, this talk was a little bit different. Not different bad. More different as in unique. Which is what my Mom used to call me.

Sidetracking slightly, as I often tend to do; It seems the norm for “school gardens”, is that the curriculum is granted an allocation of time and space – most certainly to raised vegetable beds – in which pupils have school time to garden. Of note, any form of horticulture in schools is far from a bad thing.

But I kind of see gardening like music or poetry. Or, being in love, as I noted when talking with Gerry Kelly on The Late Lunch Radio Show. And it should be something more than that. And in my opinion, something that comes very much from the heart. Or makes you smile, more.

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Horticulture Speaking at Castlepollard Gardening Club

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castlepollard gardening club, peter donegan

It was last week when I travelled to give a talk to the very lovely Castlepollard Gardening Club. And though it sounds a little funny to say it, I had an absolute ball. And it was as I previously noted a real honour to be asked to talk there.

I know it could maybe be seen that I was working, but when Russell the manager at the Castlepollard Hotel knows you’re arriving and when you eventually get to the place where the talk is to be held and you’re met with a cuppa and a hug; and you get an applause at the end and a hug – and the Frank the club’s Chairman buys you a drink after, you know it has been a pretty good evening.

Far more importantly than that, people smiled during my talking. Read more

Garden Talk: Castlepollard Gardening Club, Co. Westmeath

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castlepollard gardening club

I was genuinely honoured to be invited to give a talk with Castlepollard Gardening Club which, takes place Thursday 25th September, 2014.

It’s been pretty fine weather garden making and the last talk I did at Dublin Garden Festival and Christchurch Cathedral back in June of this year in mind, I guess my wee hiatus from talking [?], leaves me very much looking forward to this one.

Of note (maybe), I’m not that used to there being any sort of no entry fee to hear me speak, which I’m sure may sound a little cocky of me; or, maybe that’s just what I’m used to. Then again I’ve never had to pay to hear me speak. Either or, here’s whatchoo need to know.

The talk will last about an hour or so and Shirley tells me there will be tea and cakes after and also I will be hanging on for as long as is necessary to answer any questions. Recommended accomodation as a by the way is The Hotel Castlepollard.

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Peter Donegan. Speaker at Dublin Garden Festival

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peter donegan, dublin garden festival

It was a real honour to be asked to speak at the inaugural Dublin Garden Festival that took place at Christ Church Cathedral. And I was on the bill speaking alongside a host of well respected names from the Irish gardening community.

Inside the transformation was florally out of this world wonderful and if you didn’t manage to make it there a browse through Lorna’s review or a leaf through the festival programme should get you a really great taster of just what was achieved over the three days. The images of me were taken just as I was setting up pre my talk on the Friday at 2pm. My thanks to Cara Daly for sending them on.

To Nuala and Deirdre and the fantastic team at Christ Church Cathedral for looking after me; and to you who paid to hear me and others speak about my greatest passion, it was a real honour. Thank you. Read more

Expert Speaker: Dublin Garden Festival. Friday June 13, 2014

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dublin garden festival

DUBLIN GARDEN FESTIVAL AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

Bringing the outside inside! Friday 13 – Sunday 15 June, 2014 Featuring THE BEST OF IRISH GARDENING TALENT. Diarmuid Gavin :: Dermot O’Neill :: Helen Dillon :: Peter Donegan :: Gerry Daly and lots more…

I’m talking day 1 of the 3 day festival alongside a host of very lovely and far more intelligent than I am names. And though I’m [mildly] unsure where the expert gardener title came from, who am I to argue with Nuala when she tells me she is a big fan and I get all big headed and before I know it I’m booked to speak Christ Church Cathedral. It’s all good.

If I’m really honest, I’m really looking forward to this one. And though it is a very different stage and set up from my last talk at the also very wonderful Clare Garden Festival – it’s also Christ Church Cathedral. And it’s Dublin. And it’s pretty damn good value when you consider what you get for the days entry price. And I’ll be there. And that, is just fantastic. 😉

Hollar if you’re heading along. We can do a selfie. Alright enough of that. Further info below…. 😉

dublin garden festival 2014

On the same billing day as myself: Read more