Donegal’s Salthill Gardens hosts a historic rose-themed morning

Salthill Gardens in Mountcharles held a rose-themed morning in association with Historic Houses of Ireland and the National Built Heritage Service.

The event “Growing Old Roses in a Historic or Contemporary Garden” began with a talk from Dr Marianne O Kane Baol on the symbolism of roses in history, poetry and stories and then continued with a practical demonstration of growing roses from Salthill owner Elizabeth Temple.

Dr Marianne O'Kane Boal is a curator, critic and art historian. She writes for the Irish Arts Review and is President of AICA Ireland, the International Association of Art Critics.

Over four decades, Elizabeth Temple has created a uniquely beautiful walled garden in Mountcharles.

Salthill Gardens is a 1.3-acre, 18th-century walled garden overlooking Donegal Bay with a distinctive "painterly" aesthetic.

Elizabeth took on a beautiful green space that was substantially lawn, and over time transformed it with flowing paths and the planting of many vivid perennials, shrubs and trees - including a wonderful collection of old roses - creating a layered and richly textured, impressionistic landscape like no other.

Elizabeth Temple said, “I love roses and getting to share practical tips on how to get them to thrive in gardens is a real joy. After decades of hard but rewarding work, I’m so glad I get to do events like this where I can share my knowledge to avid and enthusiastic gardeners. It’s fantastic to be able to get the local community and those further afield into Salthill Gardens for events like this. We’re so grateful to the National Built Heritage Service for facilitating something like this.”

Historic Houses of Ireland is an all-Ireland charity that supports the preservation and future of Ireland’s historic buildings, estates, gardens and archives in private hands. Their members also play a key role in protecting Ireland’s precious biodiversity and native habitats, with many estates safeguarding centuries-old parklands and woodlands that support Ireland’s flora and fauna.

Thomas Emmet, Events and External Relations Officer for Historic Houses of Ireland, said, “Historic Houses of Ireland is running four diverse events this year with the National Built Heritage Service in our members' houses across the country. The events are such a creative and innovative way to engage new audiences with the National Built Heritage Service’s Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes survey and highlight that work. As a charity that advocates for and represents built, natural and cultural heritage in private hands, I’m always so impressed by how engaged our members are with the local community and rural tourism and this was a brilliant example. We will have a wide variety of events across the summer in Waterford, Laois and Meath- from teddy bear treasure hunts to an Irish language nature walk-but this was an excellent way to begin this year’s events in our members’ houses!”

The National Built Heritage Service aims to develop, promote and implement policies and legislation for the protection of architectural and landscape heritage through funding, conservation and policy making.

Sandra Sharpe, representing the National Built Heritage Service, said “This was an ideal time to do an event around roses; they are so beautiful this time of year. We really want to use unique events like this to promote the work we’re doing around historic gardens and designed landscapes- from gate lodges to productive gardens to follies. It was a great day and it's wonderful to see private owners of historic houses and gardens sharing their stories with the community and the general public. This is exactly what we in the National Built Heritage Service want to encourage by facilitating events like this. Like everyone else in the room, I learned something new today!”

Salthill Gardens are open to the public from 2pm to 6pm for National Heritage Week and during June and July.