Cath Kidston joins elite of gardening gurus at new Laois garden festival

A new Laois festival described as being a mix of Electric Picnic and Gardener's World, takes place in Laois this month with an incredible line-up announced.

Fashion designer Cath Kidston, Laois born chef Rory O'Connell co-founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School, BBC Ulster gardener David Maxwell, RTE gardener and Laois woman Kitty Scully, author and documentary maker Manchán Magan are among an impressive list of world gardening experts set to share their knowledge with lucky ticket goers. 

The beautiful venue of Ballintubbert Gardens & House, once the home of actor Cecil Day-Lewis and later John Hurt, is hosting its first Festival of Gardens and Nature, on the weekend of April 20 and 21.

The two-day festival will offer talks, workshops, organic cooking, garden tours and foraging classes.

Visitors can learn how to build an organic swimming pool with actor Dominic West, listen to Ballymaloe Cookery School founder Rory O'Connell chat about growing organic food, or attend an inspiring talk between celebrated floral designer Shane Connolly and New York’s finest florist Emily Thompson, to name but three talks. 

Chef Rory O'Connell.

The impressive full list of speakers includes:

Cut flower grower and Irish Times contributor Fionnuala Fallon, garden designer Catherine FitzGerald from Glin Castle, Neil Porteous, expert consultant gardener for National Trust and OPW, Colm O’Driscoll, head gardener of Lismore Castle, Jonny Bruce freelance gardener, Seamus O'Brien head gardener at Kilmacurragh Botanical Gardens, Tom Petherick, author and expert on sustainable living and biodynamics and Kate Gatacre, a no-dig organic veg grower for London restaurants, Organic swimming pool' pioneer David Pagan Butler, John Little, maverick gardener and wildlife advocate.

Also lined up are Daragh Lupton, curator at the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, artist TJ Maher of Patthana Gardens in Wicklow, Johnny Flynn, actor, singer and environmentalist, Nature writer/poet and Professor at Cambridge Universty, Robert Macfarlane, Tom Petherick, author and expert on biodynamics, creative plantsman, Jimi Blake, head of horticulture at TSS's design office, Edward Shackleton,  The Land Gardeners: Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtauld, cut flower farmer Amelia Raben, renowned plant explorer Neil Porteous.

Cut flower grower Fionnuala Fallon.

The ambitious event is curated by Minnie Preston and Catherine FitzGerald.

"It is all about discovering the latest ideas for creating an ecologically sustainable and beautiful garden in our launch year," Minnie said.

The festival is on April 20 and 21, opening on Saturday from 10am to 7pm and on Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Ballintubbert Gardens & House is between Stradbally and Athy, R14 E954.
Tickets for the Festival of Gardens and Nature cost €100 for Saturday and €65 for Sunday, or €150 for a weekend ticket.