Powerscourt Give Their Ancient Trees A Hug

I can see your stately home from here…

atest press release from the Powerscourt Estate, issued on Thursday, September 5th 2024…

Powerscourt Estate announces a unique and timely festival this coming Samhain to celebrate the wonder of nature and share the amazing stories and mythology of trees.

Powerscourt Estate, home to the 3rd best Garden in the World and a unique collection of champion trees spanning two centuries, is delighted to host an inaugural Wonder of Trees two-day Samhain tree experience.

The Wonder Of Trees experience will run for two days on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday 3rd at the Powerscourt Estate – Ireland’s premier sustainable visitor attraction. The aim of the festival is to engage with the public to spark wonder, promote learning, connection and restoration around trees.

The morning sessions will run concurrently and will include tree and ecology walks with renowned horticulturists, conservationists and ecologists, including Alex Slazenger, Head Gardener at Powerscourt Gardens, and Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland (Kilmacurragh).

Alex Slazenger will attend all afternoon panel discussions curated by Catherine Cleary – broadcaster and founder of Pocket Forests at historic Powerscourt House. The line up for the Saturday panel, Trees and Biodiversity, will feature ecologist and broadcaster Anja Murray (Nature File, Root and Branch, Wild Embrace), Ray Ó Foghlú from Hometree and Brian O’Toole from Wildacres. The conversations will centre on the important role trees play in terms of biodiversity but also in maintaining healthy ecosystems locally, nationally and globally.

You gotta have Faith

On Sunday, The Future of Trees will take centre stage with world-renowned horticulturist John Anderson (Keeper of the Queens Gardens’ Windsor Estate) on a panel also including Seamus O’Brien (National Botanic Gardens of Ireland Kilmacurragh), Margie Phillips (Teagasc) and Faith Wilson (ecologist). This discussion will see the panellists outline the key challenges, innovative solutions and good news stories centred on protecting trees into the future.

To add some Samhain Celtic mysticism to the celebrations, Candlelit Tales will host a special Samhain-themed Storytelling fundraising show weaving together the lore of trees to entertain the minds on Sunday morning. with all ticket sales going towards the Gaelic Woodland Project.

Throughout the festival, families can enjoy activities in the gardens, including a new, free Tree Trail audio tour.

Speaking about the Samhain Tree Experience, Sarah Slazenger, Managing Director, Powerscourt Estate said: “We are blessed by our wonderful trees at Powerscourt and benefit from the vision of those who planted them 150 to 200 years ago.  We are celebrating this amazing legacy with Wonder Of Trees Samhain Tree Experience and invite people to join us for walks, discussions and insights shared with us by our expert speakers.”

The Wonder Of Trees weekend will focus on what we can all do in our own gardens or communities. What actions need to happen at a local, national and global level and the projects we can volunteer on or support.

Simple, small and beautiful ways we can all collectively ensure the future of our trees.

Tickets for the individual morning walks are €15, Samhain-themed Storytelling fundraising show is €25, and the afternoon panel discussions are €25.

All tickets include entry to Powerscourt Gardens and can be booked online right about here.