Kylemore Abbey to mark 25 years of Victorian Walled Garden restoration
A special event will celebrate 150 years of gardening at the historic Connemara estate
Kylemore Abbey will mark 25 years since the restoration of its spectacular Victorian Walled Garden with a special event exploring the past, present and future of historic gardens.
‘Restoration, Resilience & Renewal’ will take place at Fordham Hall in Kylemore Abbey, on Saturday, October 10. The discussion will bring together leading voices from horticulture, garden restoration and landscape heritage.
The event will celebrate 150 years of gardening at Kylemore while examining how historic gardens can remain robust for future generations.
The day will open with remarks from Kylemore Abbey CEO Conor Coyne, followed by a keynote address from Head Gardener Anja Gohlke, who will trace the garden’s 150-year horticultural history and its remarkable restoration journey.
An all-female panel discussion, ‘Cultivating Heritage: Restoration, Stewardship & the Women Preserving Historic Gardens’, will then explore the practical challenges of preserving historic landscapes.
Panel members will include Anja Gohlke, Restoration Head Gardener at Kylemore Abbey Anne Golden, Restoration Landscape Architect Finola O’Kane Crimmins and Head Gardener at Hillsborough Castle Claire Woods. Sr Magdalena FitzGibbons OSB will also make a special contribution.
The discussion will cover restoration and protection, climate resilience, balancing heritage with contemporary needs and encouraging the next generation of horticultural professionals.
The event will conclude at 2.30pm with a special Restoration Walk through the Victorian Walled Garden, featuring members of the original restoration team.
Anja Gohlke, Anne Golden, Frank Keane and Thomas McErlean, alongside Claire Woods, will share insights into the decisions and challenges behind the garden’s restoration.
Twenty-five years after its restoration, the Victorian Walled Garden remains a living example of long-term horticultural expertise.
Registration for the event is at 10.30am, with the programme running from 11am to 4pm at Fordham Hall. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.