Campaign to restore Russborough garden brick by brick

Small sponsors are being sought to bring the garden of Russborough House in Co Wicklow back to its former glory.

The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, which is restoring the 18th century walled garden at the house near Blessington, has opened a crowdfunding campaign to raise money.

People can sponsor rose bushes, bricks, trees and even gardeners. In return they will get a certificate and their name on the label for the rose or tree.

A brick can be bought for €20, while a rose bush costs €50. A €100 donation will pay for an apple, plum or hazelnut tree, while €120 pays for a gardener for a day.

Kerry Gordon, director of development at the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, said it was aiming to raise €75,000 by November 30th.

“It is an enormous undertaking but we are very privileged to have been entrusted with such an important cultural and horticultural project.

“To restore the garden we need to replace, replant or grow everything – from the bricks in the wall, to our rose garden, to our magnificent centrepiece fountain.

“For the wildlife garden we need titbits to entice our friends the insects and frogs to return to their old haunt,” said Ms Gordon.

“ It is truly an exciting project helping to build a people’s garden, and every cent will go into restoring the garden.”

See the crowdfunding campaign at

[ http://iti.ms/1tArKcR  ]