LEIGHLINBRIDGE
The Garden Village

The Leighlinbridge district is rich in history, favoured with fertile land and enhanced by the River Barrow which meanders slowly through the village. The foundation for its beauty lies directly with its people who demonstrate a sense of pride and work tirelessly to preserve and enhance this unique area. This pride is evidenced by a range of gardens, built and designed by the local community to commemorate various aspects of village life over the years. "It is a place of infinite tranquility and restfulness, an inspired use of a simple setting in this village of special charm" - Excerpt from the judging committee of the Barrow Awards Scheme on Leighlinbridge.

The Millennium Garden consists of seven small individual gardens, each with its own theme represented by trees, shrubs and stones. Using materials indigenous to the local area, the garden tells the story of life through a series of themes including peace and tranquillity, happiness, friendship, reconciliation, hope, harmony and eternity.
The Vivaldi Garden is based on Vivaldi’s musical concerto “The Four Seasons” and comprises four formal gardens, each depicting a season of the year. To create a formal effect each rectangle is lined with Buxus Sempervirens and formed into triangles with Lavendula. Each season is represented by specific planting including Primula and Rosemary Prostrata for spring. Campanula and Astilbies symbolise summer while autumn is characterised by a number of plants including Sedum, Lobelia Cardinalis and Sedum Spectabiles. In winter the garden is still a joy to visit planted with Erica December Red, Erica Sprindwood pink and Carex sempervirens.

The Garden of Remembrance beside the River Barrow commemorates important occasions in the history of the village including the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulrooney, a World War 1 Memorial and the Entente Florale Gold Award. A number of commemorative trees have been planted together with ballerina roses and shrubs.

Leighlinbridge – the Garden Village

The Sculpture Garden is dedicated to three of Leighlinbridge’s most famous sons – Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran – Australia’s first Cardinal, John Tyndall, the mountaineer and scientist who developed the light pipe, the forerunner to fibre optics and Captain Myles Keogh, second in command to General Custer who lost his life the battle of the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876 at the hands of the Sioux.

 

Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow

Contact: Mary Meaney, Secretary - Leighlinbridge Improvement Group

t: + 353 (0) 86 6027751
w: www.carlowtourism.com/
leighlinbridgegardenvillage.html

Helen Dillon is a renowned plants woman, writer, lecturer and broadcaster. With her inimitable style, Helen’s workshops are guaranteed to appeal to everyone from the reluctant gardener to the green fingered enthusiast - Saturday 2nd August & Tuesday 5th August.

Directions: 9km south of Carlow town off the N9 to Kilkenny.

Facilities: restaurants, garden centre, hotel, pub, castle, historic buildings, angling, walking routes, picnic site.