An impressive 200 years old. That’s the proud boast of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI), founded in 1816 and celebrating its bicentenary in 2016.

“Our celebrations this year link the society’s past achievements to the vibrant future of gardening in Ireland,” says Robert Myerscough, president of the RHSI.

“The RHSI looks forward to being part of that future, for both professional and hobby gardeners.”

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As part of the birthday celebration, the RHSI has arranged a gardening gala to be held at the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin, on 30 September. Chelsea gold-winning florist Jenny Murphy will start the proceedings with a flower arranging demonstration. Gardeners and international plant-hunters Monty Don, Dan Hinkley and Roy Lancaster will speak at the event. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, with discounted rates for groups and for early-bird bookings.

“We’re looking forward to seeing gardeners who are RHSI members, and gardeners who are not, in Ballsbridge in September,” says Robert.

The September gala may be the highpoint of the 2016 celebrations, but the RHSI is a busy place year-round. At RHSI Garden Russborough, Denise Gill and her team of volunteers have grubbed out acres of brambles and couch grass to bring an 18th century walled garden back to life.

“This project is not a slavish re-creation of an estate garden,” Denise says. “We replanted the double herbaceous border and saved what fruit trees we could. Then we planted a wild flower meadow and a wall of sweet peas. We’re always delighted to help members to develop skills or sort out their gardening issues.”

Within the high, brick walls of the old garden, it is always a few degrees warmer than outside.

“I have my eye on restoring that Peach House,” Denise continues, looking at a tumble of glass and timber held together by a rampant fig tree, “but we’ll have to find some way of keeping the squirrels away from the peaches.”

“The society has always had a strong educational ethos,” says Robert Myerscough. “We have visiting lecturers through the winter season and practical workshops at Russborough during the spring and summer. We organise garden tours for members here in Ireland and overseas. There’ll be a trip to Wiltshire in June and we’re going to visit some gardens in the Loire Valley in September. I’m always particularly grateful to those members and friends who open their private gardens to us. We’ve visited some extraordinary gardens over the years. I also appreciate the 30 gardens who are RHSI partner gardens. Our members get free or reduced-price entry to these gardens and their support for the society is very welcome.”

New members are always welcomed by the RHSI. For more information about the society, please go to www.rhsi.ie. To join the RHSI, please talk to Bruce or Phil on 01-493 7154. Tickets for the RHSI gala on 30 September 2016 are available from Ticketmaster outlets and online. CL