IrelandGenWeb-L Archives

From: "Jean Rice" <>
Subject: [IGW] Kildare/St. Fiachra's Millenium Garden/Waterford Crystal Orchids-- CUNNINGHAM/McALEESE/CLARKE
Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 18:40:19 -0700

SNIPPET: An innovative and interesting project to mark the Millennium was the one-million pound "showcase garden" at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. It is named after St. Fiachra, patron saint of gardeners. A stunning crystal display is housed in a beehive-style monastic hut similar to those found in the Skelligs. It is viewed through a glass floor. The specially-cut Waterford crystal fossils, ferns and orchids were handcrafted and sculptured by Roy CUNNINGHAM of Waterford Crystal St. Fiachra's Garden was officially opened by President Mary McALEESE and adds an extra dimension to the world-famous stud which attracts over 130,000 visitors each year. Stud manager John CLARKE explained: "The idea was not to design a garden of conventional style but to create a garden which presents the natural environment which inspired the spirituality of the 6th and 7th centuries' monastic movement in Ireland.

This thread:

• [IGW] Kildare/St. Fiachra's Millenium Garden/Waterford Crystal Orchids-- CUNNINGHAM/McALEESE/CLARKE by "Jean Rice" <>