Running Stephen's Green

Sitting in St Stephen's Green Lodge is Margaret Gormley. Outside the lodge thousands of people pass by. Some walk swiftly through, using the Green as the most direct route from one main road to another. Others stroll in with no particular destination in mind.

When Gormley came to the job the first thing that struck her was the sense of an oasis in the middle of the city. "I came from the country so I hadn't known how important St Stephen's Green is to Dublin." The Green is a real community in the city centre; the staff know a lot of members of the public who come in and out regularly.

Her decision to become a park superintendent was an inspiration, Gormley says. "My father worked in the Department of Agriculture. When I was small I spent a lot of time out in our garden in Monaghan with my father, and later we gardened in Donegal - both my parents are keen gardeners, and funnily enough," she laughs, "my younger sister, Martina, is park superintendent with Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Co Council."

Gormley did a degree in agricultural science in UCD. "It was a five-year course. I went on to specialise in landscape horticulture and studied the management of plants and parks before working in the parks department of Dublin City Council for four years. I also spent time in the United States. It was quite an experience to work on the large scale, with very high standards.

"However, when I started, never did I ever think I would be superintendent of St Stephen's Green." Gormley describes her work as "very varied. I thoroughly enjoy it despite the responsibility it entails. I really love my work. Every day is different and I'm not restricted to an office all day.

"I have to attend meetings, train staff, meet and talk with Government representatives as well as seeing that the parks are generally running smoothly.

"The staff I work with are great and this makes all the difference to the day-to-day running of the park. Many of them have been working here for more than 40 years and are very committed and interested in their work.

"We're a good team and work very well together."

Gormley also travels around the country visiting parks and consulting with other superintendents on various designs of parks and greens. She is also responsible for maintaining flower beds, ponds and looking after the ducks and other wildlife in the park.

She has to keep up to date on all aspects of the environment, including tree surgery and animal protection. Gormley also represents Duchas on the Tree Council of Ireland, of which she is current president. She is enthusiastic about the council's work in educating schoolchildren about the value of trees. Branch Out is the theme this year.

Asked whether with all the administration work she ever gets her hands into the soil these days, she is firm: "Of course! When we're lining out new herbaceous beds, the plants need moving around to get the right effect. It's not just an office-bound job. I wouldn't like that."