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Contact Tourism Ireland to arrange Interviews with Any of our Visiting Ambassadors, whether Celebrity Chefs or Garden Afficionados
Ireland’s Garden Ambassadors
Tourism Ireland is thrilled to announce that three of Ireland’s top gardeners will join us at the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show. The delightful Helen Dillon, the BBC’s John Cushnie and Irish garden royalty, The knight of Glin will act as Ireland’s garden ambassadors at the event and will provide all the necessary advice and expertise you might need to create your very own Irish Garden.
 Helen Dillon
Reviewing her latest book, Helen Dillon’s Garden book, the Daily Telegraph writes, “Helen Dillon is a Dublin-based gardener of huge renown who is blessed with the ability to write highly opinionated prose in the most direct, engaging and witty way - almost a female version of Christopher Lloyd ... The whole thing would make an admirable present for a novice gardener because the author manages to demystify everything from aralia cultivation to "the pros and cons of instant plants". She even contrives to make the business of staking sound like an art form. Her long experience of plants and gardening - and of people - shines through.”
Check out Helen’s website www.dillongarden.com where you will find lots of background information and interesting asides from one of Ireland’s gardening greats.
John Cushnie
John Cushnie runs a landscape design and contracting company in County Down, Northern Ireland. He is the gardening editor of Ireland's Homes Interior and Living magazine, a panelist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph. In addition to his own books he was recently a co-author of the Gardeners' Question Time Plant Chooser. He lectures widely throughout the British Isles. His other books include How to Garden, Shrubs for the Garden, Trees for the Garden and How to Propogate.
Check out John’s website www.cushnielandscapes.co.uk
The Knight of Glin
Glin Castle, home of the Knight of Glin and his wife Madam FitzGerald, stands on the banks of the River Shannon in county Limerick amidst a 500 acre demense. The Castle Gardens provide an environment in which visiting gardeners can investigate and examine the flowers, plants and trees. The walled garden is awash with fresh fruit and vegetables which find their way daily to the castle’s tables. The last three generations of FitzGeralds are all endowed with that wonderful artistic, architectural, gardening gene. The knight’s mother, Veronica, was a noted gardener and flower painter. The Knight, president of the Georgian Society, has fought to preserve Ireland’s great houses and gardens for half a century. His wife – Madam FitzGerald – has written the country’s definitive gardening book, “Irish Gardens”, and his daughter, Catherine FitzGerald, is a leading garden expert.
Check out Glin Castle’s website www.glincastle.com
Helen Dillon, John Cushnie and the Knight of Glin are available for media interviews in Philadelphia from March 3 - 6. Each of them are accomplished broadcasters and interviewees and would provide a perfect insight into an Irish gardening scene that has enjoyed marvelous recognition in the last number of years. Over 44 million Americans claim Irish Ancestry, in the run up to St. Patrick’s day that figure grows considerably! Tourism Ireland would encourage you to give your coverage of the Philadelphia Flower Show an Irish flavor by featuring these hugely talented garden designers.
If you are interested in featuring Helen, John or The Knight of Glin please contact Joan Bolger at Tourism Ireland, telephone 212 418 0818 or email jbolger@tourismireland.com
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Make Ireland part of your garden experience.
Tourism Ireland brings a little piece of Ireland from the country’s stunning gardens to the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show.
Philadelphia, March 2, 2008:
The best way to experience Ireland’s stunning Gardens is to come and see them. Ireland is an island peppered with places of startling, cultivated beauty - where plants from all corners of the globe live in happy harmony.
The next best thing is to bring a little piece of Ireland to your own garden compliments of Tourism Ireland. Imported directly from across the Atlantic, we have brought a little piece of Ireland – in the form of a gift bag full of Irish soil, for our friends at the Philadelphia Flower show, and we are even providing some shamrock seeds.
We hope this will whet your appetite and encourage you to visit Ireland and the hauntingly beautiful mix of gardens to be found there.
Some of Ireland’s gardens are very grand and stately spaces, such as the Victorian walled garden at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, others are wild and watery havens, such as Annes Grove in Co Cork. Also in Cork, Garnish Island is really worth a visit. Because of its sheltered situation and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream the climate is almost subtropical, and is favorable to the growth of ornamental plants from all over the world.
Indeed, fantasy is an often-present element in the gardens of Ireland. One of the more fanciful places to visit is Mount Stewart, in Co Down, Northern Ireland, the creation of Edith, Lady Londonderry, who came to live here in 1919. She built and planted the gardens with the help of 20 ex-servicemen, who had been assigned to the estate as part of the government's post-war demobilization drive.
Get your Shamrock and win a trip to Ireland!
Tourism Ireland is excited to be able to offer you a piece of your very own Irish Shamrock. All you have to do is go to the special button on our website www.discoverireland.com. There, you can sign up, get a voucher, and pick up your Shamrock at the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show. You will also have the opportunity to enter a fabulous competition to win a trip to the stunning gardens of Ireland.
Ireland’s Garden Ambassadors
Tourism Ireland is thrilled to announce that it is being joined at the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show by three wonderful ambassadors for Irish Gardening. Garden writer and designer Helen Dillon, designer and broadcaster John Cushnie and Irish garden royalty, The Knight of Glin, will all be in attendance.
They are accomplished broadcasters and wonderful characters and they would provide a perfect insight into an Irish gardening scene that has enjoyed marvelous recognition in the last number of years.
Over 44 million Americans claim Irish Ancestry, in the run up to St. Patrick’s Day that figure grows considerably! Tourism Ireland would encourage you to give your coverage of the Philadelphia Flower Show an Irish flavor by featuring these hugely talented gardeners.
If you are interested in featuring Helen, John, or the Knight of Glin please contact Joan Bolger at Tourism Ireland, telephone 212 418 0818 or email jbolger@tourismireland.com
Tourism Ireland’s Industry Partners
Tourism Ireland is also delighted to be joined at the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show by our wonderful partners below who can make you’re your Ireland dream a reality. Come and discover you very own Ireland – the island of gardens. For more information please check out www.discoverireland.com
Celtic Tours: “Choosing the right vacation package can become a chore with so many packages offered by different companies. In choosing Celtic tours you will have taken a major step forward.”
CIE Tours: "Our focus has always been, and continues to be, on quality. We insist on state-of-the-art luxury coaches; prompt and pleasant customer service; and the best hotels, visits and entertainment.”
Lynott Tours: “We realize that no two customers are alike, we offer you the flexibility to choose from hand-picked hotels, car rentals, transfers, and sightseeing options to complete your ideal Ireland travel vacation.”
Sceptre Tours: “Independent self drive vacations, escorted motorcoach tours vacations, Castle Vacations, Ireland Golf Vacations, Scotland Golf Vacations, Hotel Vacations, B&B vacations are all at your fingertips.”
Irish Hotels Federation: “Founded in 1937, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is the national organization of the hotel and guesthouse industry in Ireland. The IHF represents almost 1,000 hotels and guesthouses nationwide, employing over 57,000 people and is a key stakeholder in the Irish tourism sector.”
Town and Country Homes Association: “Bed and Breakfast in Ireland is a unique experience where you can enjoy a warm welcome and a relaxed pace of life, something you will want to repeat again and again.”
Heritage Island
“Heritage Island brings together 93 of Ireland's Visitor Attractions and Heritage Towns ranging from ancient abbeys, medieval castles and historic houses to museums, interpretative centres, gardens and folk parks.”
Dublin Tourism: “Dublin is special, a place where tradition and cultural heritage have merged seamlessly over the centuries to create an atmosphere simply unique to Dublin.”
Tower Hotel Group: “Tower Hotel Group, a part of the FBD group, is Irish owned and managed and includes five hotels in Ireland offering quality accommodation & facilities in Dublin and Waterford.”
Manor House Hotels: “Even in this day and age, you don't have to go very far to enjoy truly gracious living. At Manor House Hotels of Ireland, you'll find a world of understated elegance and warm, personal service, at a selection of over thirty exclusive luxury hotels in Ireland providing the ultimate in Manor and Country House hotel accommodation.”
Irish Country Hotels: “Irish Country Hotels in Ireland, Ireland bed and breakfast accommodation are a collection of over thirty Irish Family run country hotels located all over Ireland. Perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway break or for your Ireland holiday vacation where you can enjoy the comforts of Irish hotel bed and breakfast accommodation.”
Irish Farmhouse Holidays: “Irish Farmhouse Holidays lets you experience the genuine warmth and friendliness of the Irish people whilst surrounding yourself with the sights and sounds of the beautiful Irish countryside.”
Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland: “Ireland’s rich heritage is renowned and inseparable from the true legacy of the great houses, castles and gardens that form part of our cultural identity.”
Ballynahinch Castle: “As one of the premier Castle Hotels in Ireland, Ballynahinch Castle has a charm and aura, which can best be described as 'Casual Country Elegance', which few forget and most return for.”
Failte Ireland South East: “Experience a wonderful holiday you’ll never forget with the sunniest climate in Ireland, unique heritage, vibrant cities and towns, and a scenic landscape that is a natural playground for an activity based holiday. “
Failte Ireland East and Midlands: “For those of you who may like to relax & unwind you will be spoilt with choice from relaxing spa breaks, waterside & woodlands walks & breathtaking scenery.”
Ireland’s Blue Book
Ireland's Blue Book is an exclusive listing of Luxury Irish Accommodation in
Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, Castles and Gourmet Restaurants, whose qualities combine charm, style, character and individuality.
Irelands Shannon Region: “The River Shannon and its magnificent lakes combine to form one of Europe's finest navigable inland waterways. You can hire and captain your own fully-equipped and beautifully furnished luxury cruiser and, with the minimum of tuition, the mighty Shannon is yours to explore and enjoy.”
Old Ground Hotel: “A truly magical residence that blends the warmth of a country home with the style and luxury of a contemporary hotel.”
Failte Ireland West: “We're here to help you plan your holiday and truly discover this outstanding part of the world known as Ireland's West!”
The Little Book of Luxury
Newbridge Silverware
The Curragh Racecourse
The K Club Golf and Spa Resort
Barberstown Castle
Rathsallagh House Hotel
Punchestown Racecourse
The Kildare Village
The Heritage Hotel
The Killashee House Hotel
The Irish National Stud
Press Contact: Mr. Bernard McMullan 212 418 0847
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