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Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
In Northern Ireland, I visited enchanting gardens full of natural beauty and a rich sense of heritage
As I make my way past the white Georgian mansion on the northern banks of the River Foyle, rows of towering oaks give way to rounder, cascading evergreens. Vivid bursts of pinks, reds and purples peek through the lush foliage, hinting at the botanical beauty beyond. Located about five kilometres from the city of Derry, Brook Hall Estate & Gardens is one of Northern Ireland's top arboretums. Established in the early 1600s, it was a stronghold for King James II during the Siege of Derry in 1689. And its walled garden, one of the largest on the Emerald Isle, played a key role in feeding the people of Derry during the lengthy military operation, as well as during the Great Famine in the mid-1800s. Now, thanks to a growing interest in garden tourism, Brook Hall fulfils another role: as a popular visitor attraction. Each year, more than five million people come to Northern Ireland. They walk the 17th-century Derry Walls around the historic centre; hike the famous Giant's Causeway coastal path, a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique basalt formations; explore the tragic story of the Titanic, the doomed luxury liner built in Belfast; and swing for par at one of more than 90 world-class golf courses. But today's travellers are also seeking new ways to experience the destination, and they're finding a connection to its heritage through nature and the local landscapes. For the U.K. as a whole, it's estimated that garden tourism generates almost three billion pounds in GDP. 'Northern Ireland sees more economy from garden tours than golf,' says horticulturalist Trevor Edwards, director of the Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust. He's also my guide as we explore the country's green spaces. 'It's never far to the next interesting garden, and every region has a garden trail,' he adds. A bird's-eye view of Brook Hall Estate & Gardens, established in the early 1600s. At Brook Hall, David Gilliland conducts personalized tours. His family acquired the estate in 1856, and over the years, they filled the 140-acre grounds with more than 1,200 rare and unusual trees and plants. More than 600 species are unique to the property. 'The majority of specimens here aren't native. I call it a zoo for plants,' says Gilliland. The diverse plantscape is courtesy of Gilliland's great-grandfather Frank, a passionate collector of conifers, and his grandfather George, a renowned dendrologist with a love of flowering shrubs and trees from Asia and South America. Frank's pinetum showcases more than 100 species of conifers, including the island's first dawn redwood, endangered dove trees, and a giant redwood planted in honour of Frank's birth in 1884. George, a world authority on rhododendrons, added more than 80 species of the woody plants, noted for their striking, colourful tubular blossoms, as well as dozens of species of magnolias and camellias. 'There's a big push for native planting, which has its place, but when you're trying to showcase the beauty of plants around the world, that's when arboretums and gardens such as ours become important,' Gilliland says. The neoclassical stone manor house at Mount Stewart is surrounded by 950 acres of woodlands, lawns and orchards. The next morning, I head to Newtownards, about 90 minutes east of Derry, to tour Mount Stewart . The ivy-clad, neoclassical stone manor house, seat of the Marquesses of Londonderry for more than 200 years and now owned by the National Trust, is surrounded by 950 acres of woodlands, lawns and orchards. Much of its formal gardens was developed by Edith, Lady Londonderry, wife of the 7th Marquess, in the mid-20th century. 'She created what is arguably one of the best gardens you'll ever visit,' says head gardener Mike Buffin. In spring, the landscape is blanketed with more than 15,000 tulips. The rhododendrons explode in May and June, in a kaleidoscope of yellows, reds, oranges and purples. Plant hunters introduced the ornamental species to the estate in the Victorian era. 'Because of Northern Ireland's high rainfall and mild, temperate climate, we can grow a range of plants you can't grow in gardens in the rest of the U.K.,' Buffin points out. Sweet-smelling bay trees, roses and hydrangeas infuse the landscape with their fragrance. Rare Chilean hazelnut trees, tropical tree ferns and New Zealand broadleaf flourish side by side with 800 giant Himalayan lilies, the largest display in the world. Mythological creatures and endearing animals in concrete, stone and topiary add whimsy to the stately surroundings. At Mount Stewart, Edith, Lady Londonderry, created 'what is arguably one of the best gardens you'll ever visit.' One of Northern Ireland's most acclaimed heritage sites is Hillsborough Castle and Gardens , in the picturesque village of the same name. Located about 20 minutes southwest of Belfast, the 18th-century Georgian mansion is an official residence of the British Royal Family. A reminder of the estate's historic status can be seen at the garden's west entrance, where stone gates are topped with gilded pineapple finials. Hillsborough boasts one of the U.K.'s earliest pineries, dating to the 1770s. During the 18th century, fashionable families would display the tropical fruit as centrepieces during dinner parties. A single pineapple could cost the modern equivalent of 5,000 pounds. 'Growing your own pineapples was a sign of extreme wealth,' says garden manager Claire Woods. It was also a testament to a gardener's skills. Edwards notes that families would compete to see who could cultivate the best and biggest pineapples. The 3.83-acre walled kitchen garden, built in the 1750s and renovated in the mid-2010s, first opened to the public in 2018. Manicured hedges, geometrically aligned pathways and pristine plant beds sprout with Irish-bred fruits, vegetables and flowers. Golden daffodils, purple-blue monkshood and lavender crocus bloom beneath ornamental quince trees. A soft mist permeates the air as we wander the castle's 100-acre grounds. Orchards brim with Irish heritage apples. Purplish bluebells, fragrant yellow azaleas and showy rhododendrons add bold splashes of colour. An allée of Irish yews cuts a forest-green pathway to the castle. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is an official residence of the British Royal Family. 'This time of year, we get the bright colours. In summer, we get much softer flowers and foliage. That gives way to lots of lovely autumn hues. And in the winter, you see the bones of the garden, the real structure,' Woods explains. 'A lot of these gardens were about showing off your collection of plants. The same holds true today,' Woods continues. 'We want people to come and explore. And we hope they will go away inspired to grow plants as we do, to use ideas they find here, or to simply want to visit other gardens or castles.' Drenagh Estate and Gardens in Limavady spans more than 1,000 acres and includes a walled kitchen garden, rhododendron garden, conifer arboretum, terraced Italian garden and ancient woodlands. It has been owned by the McCausland family since 1640. Glenarm Castle in County Antrim is a 17th-century Jacobean-style mansion. Its 2.5-acre walled garden, built in the 1820s, was restored in the early 2000s. Garden 'rooms' display ornamental fruit trees; a rainbow of tulips; and collections of hostas, peonies and roses. In 2023, Glenarm won the prestigious U.K. Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award. Rowallane Garden , just outside of Saintfield, is the headquarters of the National Trust in Northern Ireland. The 50-acre garden showcases towering conifers; rare handkerchief trees; and extensive collections of azaleas, rhododendrons and penstemons. Rebecca L. Rhoades travelled as a guest of Tourism Northern Ireland, which did not review or approve this article.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Historic monument targeted in sectarian attack
A historic monument on Londonderry's Walls has been damaged by paint in what police are treating as a sectarian hate crime. The attack on Walker's Plinth happened sometime between 18:20 and 18:40 BST on Thursday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) a number of individuals are believed to have been involved. It is the latest in a series of incidents in the city over recent days, which are being investigated as sectarian hate crimes. Democratic Unionist Party MLA Gary Middleton has said the spate of attacks needs to stop. "The sectarianism happening right across this city needs to end," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "As I said in the assembly chamber on Monday, this will ultimately end in somebody being seriously injured or a death." The attack on the plinth comes after an assault on two teenagers in the Waterside, an attack on a bus in the Gobnascale area and an attack on a mural in the Fountain estate. Those incidents sparked calls from the Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster for no further escalation. The SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan said he was "sickened" by the attack on the teenagers and Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson appealed for calm. Then, shortly after midnight on Monday, a 21-year-old autistic man was set upon by a group of men in the city's Waterside and needed hospital treatment for his injuries. "We have seen young people attacked, property damaged, that is something that just can not be tolerated, it is important that all of us collectively speak out," Middleton added. "Police have assured me they are putting in the resources necessary to try and address what has been unfortunately over the last number of days a sectarian campaign right across the board." The city's deputy Mayor Darren Guy works in the Siege Museum near the plinth. He told BBC Radio Foyle a video being circulated on social media appeared to show six or seven youths approaching the monument with bottles filled with paint. The Ulster Unionist councillor also called for an end to the attacks. "This has to stop," he said. "When sides goad each other, no one comes out a winner, something serious is going to happen." Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident on the Walls to come forward. The plinth is located on an area of the Walls overlooking the nationalist Bogside. It is all that remains of the statue of George Walker, built in 1826 to commemorate his role in the Siege of Derry. Reverend Walker governed the city during the 1689 siege. The statue stood on the plinth for almost 150 years until it was blown up by the IRA in 1973. It was also targeted in a similar attack in July 2024. Son 'scared to return home' after sectarian attack Church leaders appeal for calm over Derry attacks
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Historic monument targeted as ‘sectarian hate crimes' continue in Derry
Criminal damage was caused to Walker's Plinth on the city's walls after paint bombs were thrown at it. The incident was reported to police just before 6.40pm on Tuesday. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed it is being investigated as a sectarian hate crime. A number of individuals are believed to have been involved in the incident which occurred sometime between 6.20pm and 6.40pm. A statue of the city's governor during the Siege of Derry, George Walker, stood on the plinth for almost 150 years until it was blown up by the IRA in 1973. The plinth is all that remains of the statue erected in 1826 to commemorate the leader's role in the 105 day Siege of Derry which marked a pivotal moment in the history of Ireland, Britain and Europe. More than 10,000 people died, the majority of them civilians. It took place against the background of the deposed Catholic King James II's attempt to regain his crown from his Protestant son-in-law, King William III. The incident comes following a spate of sectarian hate crimes in Derry over the weekend. PSNI Chief Inspector Luke Moyne said: 'At this stage, as enquiries into each of these incidents are ongoing, we are continuing to work with relevant partners and stakeholders, focusing our patrols where they are needed and taking positive action where we can. 'Anyone who engages in anti-social behaviour needs to consider the consequences of their actions and of the dangers of getting involved in this type of behaviour. "Ultimately, they could end up with a criminal record which may impact their future employment and travel prospects.' It follows condemnation after video footage was circulated appearing to show two boys being set upon by a gang of youths. One is seen being punched and kicked while sitting down while another is repeatedly pounded with a garden table while lying on the ground. The PSNI is probing a number of incidents including criminal damage caused to a bus and disorder over the weekend. A vehicle carrying two police dogs was damaged by young people in the Irish Street area, the canines were not injured. Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson has called for calm after a sectarian attack in Nelson Drive led to a number of disturbances in the Waterside area over the weekend. 'The sectarian attack in which two young men were viciously beaten in the Nelson Drive area on Saturday night was appalling and I would urge anyone with information about who was responsible to bring it forward,' he said. 'There can be no place for sectarianism and such attacks in this society but neither can there be any justification for the subsequent disturbances which took place throughout the wider Top of the Hill area on Sunday. 'The people of this community do not want further violence or for any more young people to be caught up in such incidents. 'Now is the time for calm and to allow the proper authorities to get on with their job of bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.' Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said: 'Sickened by what I've seen circulating on social media – two young fellas being set upon by a gang in a savage attack. 'It's being reported that this was a sectarian attack and has the potential to light the fuse on a situation that has been simmering in the Waterside for some time. 'It is important that peace prevails and no retaliation is sought. Inevitably innocent people will get hurt or even worse – as I watched the video I could not help but think of my old schoolmate Paul McCauley, who died as the result of a sectarian attack in the Waterside nearly 20 years ago. 'I hope the two boys who were attacked make a swift recovery from their physical injuries and the undoubted psychological impact that such trauma can bring. 'Anyone with information about the attack should bring it to the police and those responsible must be apprehended.' Local councillor Gary Donnelly also posted online saying: 'Sickening scenes appear to show two young boys being brutally beaten by a number of others in what is claimed to be a sectarian attack. I hope those attacked make a full recovery. 'This will inevitably cause anger and I would appeal for calm and not to respond with any form of sectarianism. 'Attacks on anyone because of their perceived religious affiliation is completely wrong.'
