Kerry gardener wins gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show
A gardener from Co Kerry has won his third gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Billy Alexander, of Kells Bay Gardens, claimed the prestigious prize for his fern collection.
The 120sq m garden features more than 100 species of ferns.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Alexander said Brexit meant the logisitics proved difficult.
'We loaded up the 40ft trailer 10 days ago in Kells Bay Gardens and drove it straight over to London, arriving 48 hours later.
'And when we got all the ferns out of the 40ft in fairly good health, we knew we were looking good.'
The London-based flower show awards gardens with four medals: Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver, and Bronze.
The Royal Horticultural Society, which runs the flower show, says the medals have "long been considered a hallmark in horticultural excellence, providing educational and inspirational value for visitors, the public and the horticultural industry".
It is the third time Mr Alexander has won the prize, having previously received the gold medal in 2021 and 2023.
In 2023, he claimed the Lawrence Medal, which is awarded for the best exhibit shown to the society during the year.
Mr Alexander and his wife, Penn, own Kells Bay House and Gardens, which overlooks Dingle Bay on the Ring of Kerry.
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