Dear all,

First built as a Butler tower house beside the ruins of a pre-Reformation church, Shankill Castle hosted the annual Carlow Garden Festival — a wonderful opportunity for budding and experienced gardeners and nature lovers to gain practical information and advice from a range of informative workshops while visiting the beautiful gardens.

The Carlow Garden Trail –  For novice gardeners to garden connoisseurs and garden lovers of any age in Ireland’s ancient east.

Aaron Bertelsen, the internationally-acclaimed vegetable gardener and author of The Great Dixter Cookbook, created the long-table summer feast with fresh produce from the Victorian-walled garden. Aaron’s book focuses on Great Dixter — once the East Sussex, England, home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd (1921-2006).

Set in the castle’s 170-year-old stable yard, the Coach House Cafe produced the meal for 50 participants.

Hosts Ellen, Rueben and Flora Cope in the apple archway.

I also enjoyed the magnificent Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Mount Juliet, a half-an-hour away. Created in 1991, the course has welcomed Hall of Fame names such as Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

Ciao for now!

Alice

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All photos, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of Alice Lonfat-Chu.