Robert O’Byrne has a passionate interest in Ireland’s architectural and horticultural heritage and has written extensively about both. During 2021/22 he curated two exhibitions examining the history and evolution of Irish country house gardens, including walled gardens, across three centuries. He has also presented a two part television series on the same subject on RTE One television, and is co-editing a book on Ireland’s historic gardens due to be published next year.

In his talk, Robert will examine the history of Ireland’s country house gardens over the last 400 years during which time garden design has reflected political and social changes taking place within the country and how this has influenced gardening today.