I have always seen gardens a lot like falling or being in love, or a feeling, or emotion, of sorts. Like that moment when you first kissed and Erma Franklin or Wilson began singing secretly in your head for no apparent reason. But it then, now and still every time you hear that song play, makes a tear drops trickle from your eye. And twenty, or one, or a bizillion years later and you hear that tunes intro and it somehow magically brings you all the way back to that exact moment and place and you know, that it felt and still feels so right and yet it still makes no perfect sense. And you can either identify with that or you can’t because you were so in love and felt that something magic and such attraction if you will, and therefore it actually makes perfect sense, to you.
Being slightly more logic, I’m sure there are more formal ways to introduce a garden concept or plan, but in this case, maybe, there quite simply is not. Or just not for me. But that – the first paragraph; is what essentially what this garden will become.
Surprising it may sound to chat show gardening already, but Bloom garden designs are required to be submitted somewhere around September/ October this year for June 2016.
The slogan that runs under the bloom logo is ‘celebrate garden life’. This year more than ever I hope we as a nation do just that. To quote my good friend Eugene Higgins article in the Irish Mail on Sunday…
It’s not that long ago that garden shows in Ireland were poor to say the least. They were mostly a selecion of neglected plants and muddy pathways with a few burger stands thrown in. But then in 2007 Bloom came to the rescue…
I remember in 2007 cold calling suppliers looking for help. They didn’t even know what Bloom was. Nobody did. Now into the third year it is the Irish Garden event of the year. If you have never been to Chelsea flower show – this is as good as it gets.
what you won't see...
I’ve built gardens in 2007 and 2008 and I know it is not as easy as it looks. The garden build time is usually about 2-3 weeks [this varies on garden size]. Some gardens will have had little or no sponsorship [like myself for both years] and whether it rains [and by God it did this year!] or not the garden must be complete 2 days before opening for the judging to take place.
This is the bit you may not know… For me I start planning a show garden garden at least 12 months in advance. My first year, I was answering emails on my honeymoon. 🙄 This was the January before, designs had been submitted the October before that. You might say one simply just can’t switch off. For me anyway, the sleepless nights continue……
Fast track to the garden build and with 27 other gardens being built around me, almost 35 different trades involved in my garden alone, over 250 thank you cards sent out after the show… I then awake at 6am to make it to the park to see what or if I have won a medal. The result was always immaterial, to me anyway. Pink boats don’t win awards. But as my Father would say…
Elvis didn’t wear that white suit cutting the grass son…. Only in Vegas!
It is a show garden. It is a show. I have 5 days to stand at my garden to greet you the paying visitors, the reason I have built the gardens I did.
almost there....
It doesn’t end there. When everyone has left on the Bank holiday Monday I must then within one week disassemble my entire 3 weeks 1 years works and reinstate the grounds to how they were before I arrived. And breath…… All whilst trying to keep a business running or for some holding down a full time job.
No matter what medal a garden and it’s designer recieve, no matter who is you’re favourite or who gets the most press coverage – if you do meet the designer at their garden…. congratulate them, shake their hands, damn it – give them a big hug and wish them only the very best. They really do deserve it.
The entire pink boat story can be read here. My reason for publishing this… I/ we need a sponsor! If you think you can help or know anyone who can – please do not hesitate to contact me.
29th, 30th, 31st August The ‘Pink Boat’ now a main feature at the music festival and part of the art trail.
Newspapers:
26th March Fingal Independent
1/3 page article titled ‘Sponsor needed for Peter’s dream garden’ and two photos, one of Peter and one of last years entry ‘No Rubber Soul’. Mentioning the theme for Bloom 2008, winning two ALCI Awards for Brackenstown House and the support from local businesses.
29th May Irish Examiner
½ page photo titled ‘Blooming Brilliant’ on the back page of Peter Donegan within the garden.
30th MayThe Star
half page photograph
30th May Irish Examiner
1/3 page article titled ‘Something for all at Bloom flower show’ and small photo of Peter Donegan and 2 models at the official opening of Bloom.
Radio
5th June Country Mix 106.8
– Peter begin interviewed by Lynsey Dolan with Dominic Loughran
RTE 2FM – with Rick O’Shea, speaking about what to do with the ‘pink boat’ from Bloom 2008
6th June
RTE 2FM – with Rick O’Shea, speaking about the ‘pink boat’ and that Electic Picnic have taken it.
Magazines:
May/ June Issue Garden Heaven Magazine
half page photograph
July 2008 Bloemen en Planten [netherlands]
half page photograph
Autumn 2008 Issue Self Build Magazine
Photo of ‘Pour L’amour de Jeux’ features within Peter Donegan’s article.
October/November 2008 Diarmuid Gavin’s Garden Designs
Photo front and back of the ‘Thank You’ postcard sent after Bloom. And a note from Diarmuid expressing what a nice idea.
The Morris Minor Car-den story can be read here. My reason for publishing this… I/ we need a sponsor! If you think you can help or know anyone who can – please do not hesitate to contact me.
Television:
17th May RTE ‘Capital D’
To view documentary – see below
7 minute documentary on Peter Donegan and his design ‘No Rubber Soul’, for Bloom 2007
29th May/1st June TV3 ‘Ireland AM’
Full coverage of ‘No Rubber Soul’ and interviews with Peter Donegan over 3 days before the opening of Bloom.
29th May/1st June TV3 ‘News’
Full coverage of ‘No Rubber Soul’ and interviews with Peter Donegan over 3 days before the opening of Bloom.
Australian Television – Garden Gurus
The Gurus Explore Ireland – CD enclosed Broadcast after Bloom
Newspapers:
14th March Fingal Independent
1/3 page article titled ‘Peter set to compete for top garden prize’ and photo. Mentioning the preparation for Bloom, winning an ALCI Award for a 55 acre garden and the Bord Bia Quality programme Award.
21st March Fingal Independent
½ page article titled ‘Hopes high for bloomin’ great garden show result’ and photo of Peter Donegan, RTE’s Gerry Daly, top designers Paul Martin and Elma Fenton and TV gardener Eugene Higgins.
16th May Fingal Independent
1/3 page article titled ‘Peter has area in bloom’ and photo of Peter Donegan
Mentioning his appearance on RTE’s Capital D, containing full coverage of preparations for Bloom 2007.
26th May The Farmers Journal
Article on Bloom featuring photo of Angela Kennedy, Chairperson, Bord Bia and Gary Graham, Bloom Project Manager, Bord Bia in the ‘No Rubber Soul’ Garden. Also featuring a mention of Peter Donegan’s exhibit not to be missed on the back page.
30th May The Irish Times
½ page article titled ‘Garden show aims to become an Irish Chelsea’ featured on Page 3 mentioning No Rubber Soul and picture of Peter within the garden.
31st May The Irish Examiner
½ page photo titled ‘Bloomin’ good show’ on back page, of Peter Donegan under the bonnet of the Morris Minor.
31st May The Irish Examiner – Farming section
½ page article titled ‘Gardeners can showcase at home’ mentioning No Rubber Soul and featuring photo of Angela Kennedy, Chairperson, Bord Bia and Gary Graham, Bloom Project Manager, Bord Bia in the ‘No Rubber Soul’ Garden.
31st May The Evening Herald
¼ page article titled ‘Bloomin’ Marvellous’ mentioning Morris Minor and photo of Angela Kennedy, Chairperson, Bord Bia and Gary Graham, Bloom Project Manager, Bord Bia in the ‘No Rubber Soul’ Garden
31st May The Irish Daily Mail
Full page article titled ‘A graffiti-covered wall, an old car – if this is our answer to Chelsea Flower Show, can we have the question again?’ on Bloom featuring interview with Peter Donegan and photo of Peter adding the last few finishing touches to ‘No Rubber Soul’.
7th June Lá Nua
½ page article titled ‘An Earnáil Ghnó – Fógraíocht’ mentioning that on the opening day of Bloom, 1st June, Peter Donegan Landscaping Ltd also received an Award from Foras na Gaeilge joining Barr 50, the top 50 companies to operate through the Irish language. Also featuring 2 photos of the garden.
13th June Fingal Independent
1/3 page article titled ‘Peter’s Morris is a major success’ including photo. Mentioning receiving a silver medal in the large garden category and joining Barr 50.
18th August Farmers Journal
½ page article titled ‘Minor to Major via Sergeant’ featuring interview with Peter and mentioning the Award winning garden in Bloom, winning an ALCI Award for a 55 acre garden and two photos of ‘No Rubber Soul’.
Magazines:
24th May-June 14th Property Gallery- Issue No. 5
2 page article title ‘The art of landscape’ on ‘No Rubber Soul’ including 13 photos and biography of Peter Donegan.
May Issue Moving In
Paragraph mentioning Peter Donegan and details of his design ‘No Rubber Soul’
June/July Issue Irish Homes
Paragraph mentioning Peter Donegan and details of his design ‘No Rubber Soul’
It had been organised to tweet meet-up at the pink boat at the stradbally festival. And it happened. Myself, Maryrose, David, Frankiep, Ciara, Debbie and some extra added friends joined to kick off the celebrations.
The boat joining the picnic really started online via Rick and it was very appropriate that its new berth was celebrated by some of those who [online] had been involved along the way.
Of course it has a home for life now and to all [you know who you are] I thank you – from my heart.
This is a gardening weblog of course. And the deal has always been if its greenie or related to my business it goes in. So I wont do a review of The amazing Stunning or The Sex Pistols. But, to say I was proud, was an understatement. I was also so very honoured that this could be shared with others in my life. To those who I met at The Picnic, who sang, laughed and shared time with – thank you all. It was an honour.
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