Glenavon Japanese Garden, Courtown
A new garden to visit but first, the answer to yesterday’s Macro Monday.
Of course it was an aquilegia!
Right, so off we go to Glenavon Japanese Garden. Here I am in the last week of my Irish adventure and it was only at the weekend that I finally made it to Iris Checkett’s Oriental creation teetering on the edge of the coast south of Courtown. I had been to visit before but had always got the timing wrong despite it only being a few km away! Fortunately, I was helping with the Springmount Garden Centre Bloom display on the same that that Iris was helping Elaine and a very long day at the show allowed us to get to know each other. And fate intervened and while I was having a coffee at Springmount at the weekend Iris walked in and invited me to join her and Elaine that evening and so I finally got to see the garden, more than three years after I moved in down the road!
Iris has always lived in the area – she grew up next door – and created her garden about 15 years ago. It is no easy task since, besides being so close to the sea, she has to cope with the heavy, sticky, macamore soil. Iris decided on a Japanese theme because of visits to the country and an admiration for the people and their culture.
Iris and Elaine from Springmount Garden Centre
More of an interpretation than a strict adherence to the style the extensive garden features a meandering water feature, bamboos and acers and a tea house. And what is especially impressive is that Iris does all the work herself apart from cutting the hedges!
Iris and Elaine with the new furniture Iris bought at Bloom
The garden is open Sunday and Friday May to August 2pm – 5pm, or by appointment to individuals and groups. Entrance Fee: €5.00 Glenavon, Glen Richards, Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co. Wexford
www.facebook.com/glenavonjapanesegarden
http://www.wexfordgardentrail.com
How not to take photos!
Get the background right or it will look like the subject is wearing a very heavy hat!
And make sure that, if there are mirrors in the garden, you don’t end up in the photo!
The Biking Gardener 
this garden was to good for you to miss glad you made it before home again .
Nice post. You may have noticed I sometimes deliberately get Jackie in the mirrors
Another garden to add to my must visit list. Thanks for sharing
Nice to have met you and all the very best with the move home.
thank you
Beautiful pictures! I love Japanese Gardens. So unique in their beauty!