The physical and mental wellbeing of therapeutic horticulture
FIANN Ó NUALLÁIN, aka The Holistic Gardener, is a gardener, community activist, project facilitator and author. Fiann will be appearing on the Garden Stage at this week's Bord Bia Bloom as both speaker and MC.
Ruth O'Connor
speaks to Fiann about his own work and why gardening is so beneficial to our mental and physical wellbeing.
Fiann Ó Nualláin, aka The Holistic Gardener.
Fiann Ó Nualláin, aka The Holistic Gardener
Fiann Ó Nualláin, aka The Holistic Gardener
Tell us more about yourself?
I'm a bit like Worzel Gummidge – a scarecrow with lots of different heads. On the one hand I write – I spend a lot of time researching about mental health and physical wellbeing and how to use the garden as a resource to support those things. My background is in social and therapeutic horticulture, so I am often working in the field (pardon the pun) working with different groups of people on projects that are not simply about the beautification of a space but about genuine community involvement.
Describe a typical working day for you
I'm an early riser. I'll usually do four or five hours of research then take a break for breakfast. I could be writing for the rest of the day or doing something where I don't know necessarily what the outcome will be. For example, I could be meeting a group for the first time – they could be into gardening or reticent about gardening. I could be working with TY students and will draw them in through their interest in the environment, beauty, sport or whatever they're into. I've learnt that human nature happens in nature – really we're just people gathered together doing what humans do which is communing with each other and with nature.
I could be creating a garden based on story books at a school but really the focus is literary issues or I could be working with a mother and baby group to grow food and then bring in nutritionists to talk about good nutrition for young families.
Sometimes the project centres simply around creating spaces where people can find stillness and take a break from their worries… So my role involves doing a lot of research and then putting my learnings into practice. Then there are all the other things that come with that – appearing at Bloom, doing some TV work and writing articles for the media.
A previous show garden by Fiann Ó Nualláin at Bord Bia Bloom.
Fiann Ó Nualláin
Fiann Ó Nualláin
How did you get into gardening initially?
I've been hooked on gardening since I was a toddler dragging a watering can around the place. My father and grandfather gardened so I always assumed it was what people did. It was only in my teens when I had issues with depression that I found the garden was of solace to me. When I got a bit older I did other jobs but doing indoor jobs, absent from the green environment, I realised that my depression got worse. I realised that the garden was medicating me and I found that something I had discovered could also resonate with other people.
When I realised that gardening and being in gardens transformed my life I wanted to be able to help other people realise that too. The wonderful thing that happens at Bloom is that people might want to have a nice outdoor space to have a glass of wine in, or they might want to improve the value of their home, but when they catch the gardening bug they realise that it brings them so much more.
How important is collaboration to what you do?
Collaboration is really important to what I do. I could go out and install something for somebody and there might be
some
pick up on it – I could petition for land, measure it up, plant out allotment plots and get five or six people interested. Within a year there might be one person left.
However if I divide that same space up between a scouting group, the school and, say, a local community addiction programme and then I bring in additional people – a nutritionist, a flower arranger, a herbalist… it is more likely to be a success. A project like that has to involve people, experts, from within the community as well as outside of the community.
Advertisement
Fiann Ó Nualláin, aka The Holistic Gardener, on the Talks Stage at Bloom in the Phoenix Park.
Fennell Photo.
Fennell Photo.
How have things changed since you started doing this kind of work?
Years ago it was difficult to get things like community gardens and allotments to stick – people might set something up and then land would be rezoned and they'd have to move on. Now people are almost demanding green spaces as a service – people expect that they should have a green space in their area that they can walk their dog in but they are also starting to expect that the should have a space in which they can express themselves as gardeners or look after their own food security or even just unroll a yoga mat – people don't want to live in concrete jungles.
On the other hand, to some people, nature can be the alien environment. You can have people living on the outskirts of cities, beside industrial estates where there are no parks, no plants or trees and to them nature is an alien environment. In that case you have to get people used to the fact that, yes, there are birds, there are bees, there are flies and this is magic of the world – this the wonder we live in – we share this world with other creatures and that gives people an appreciation for all aspects of life and for living life.
Fiann Ó Nualláin, aka The Holistic Gardener is keen to encourage people to explore the physical and mental benefits of gardening.
Fiann Ó Nualláin.
Fiann Ó Nualláin.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
I worked in a place years ago where I got to introduce teenagers, many of whom had lost their place at school or were young parents, into looking at gardening and horticulture and being outdoors. We'd also cover personal effectiveness, communication skills and a bit of maths by stealth – counting out seeds and figuring out how long it would take things to germinate. In the same area recently I was talking to a mother who I had taught and the one thing that gets him into school is doing gardening in the school garden before he goes into class. I'm proud of the fact that there's something of a legacy there.
Another favourite of mine was done in conjunction with Dublin City Council and a number of artists. It was a project called Plant the Placename. We went into communities, say Bluebell, and we collected seeds with the youngest members of the community, who then brought the seeds to their grandparents who grew them on, and then the parents and children would plant them back into the environment. There were three generations of families involved and everybody got ownership of the project which is very important.
Fiann Ó Nualláin's GIY (Grow it Yourself) garden at Bloom.
Fiann Ó Nualláin.
Fiann Ó Nualláin.
If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
I don't think could do anything else. Sometimes when I'm bogged down for months writing a book or something I cannot wait to get back out into working in gardens again. A lot of people come to gardens later in life, often in retirement, but I don't need to retire – I've found my home and couldn't see myself doing anything else.
What can people expect from you at Bloom?
You'll get all your design ideas on how to pretty up your space but you'll then wander to the nursery village and talk to people who really know their plants and can advise you. Then you'll come over to the Talks Stage where I'll be introducing experts coming from many different disciplines. We are there so that people can ask questions and pick our brains – we want people to go home with information that they can put into practice.
Two of Fiann's previous books.
Fiann Ó Nualláin.
Fiann Ó Nualláin.
What's next for you?
I'll be doing plenty of garden projects – after Bloom there's always a flurry of interest. I'm currently working on a book about traditional Irish cures – I've been researching it for five years and am currently putting it together for publication.
Fiann Ó'Nualláin will be appearing on the Garden Stage at this year's Bord Bia Bloom which takes place May 29th to June 2nd 2025. Tickets are priced at €30 and up to two children (under 16) go free with every ticket purchased. Visit
bordbiabloom.com
for further information.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ian Bailey's ‘final goodbye' with ashes scattered at Cork pier as family say Sophie murder accusation ‘took toll on him'
THE family of Ian Bailey have scattered his ashes in the sea off west Cork. Bailey — the chief suspect in the 1996 5 Ian Bailey died of a heart attack in January 2024 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Ian's sister Kay scattered his ashes at Skeaghanore Pier Credit: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision 5 Sophie Toscan du Plantier was murdered in Ireland in 1996 Credit: Copyright remains with handout provider The His grieving sister Kay Reynolds arranged a private funeral for the journalist after he dropped dead on a Bantry street last year. Bailey was cremated and Kay initially brought his ashes back to Kay said: 'He absolutely loved west READ MORE IN IAN BAILEY 'It is very appropriate that this is where we spread his ashes. It is something he wanted.' Opening up about his passing, she recalled: 'He had been quite fit until the last couple of years. 'It finally got to him. He was not taking care of himself, but it was all to do with the pressure. 'It had been relentless for almost 30 years. It took its toll on him. Most read in The Irish Sun 'There were times he did not help himself. I think if he had kept quiet it would have been better, but that was not Ian's style. He had nothing to hide and he would not hide. He confronted his challengers face on. ' Ian Bailey's final post revealed as he thanks fans for the 'most successful year' days before dying aged 66 'I don't think that helped.' 'DOWNFALL' Kay told 96FM producer Paul Byrne, who was one of a few invited guests attending the final ceremony: 'As a family, we never thought that he had done this. 'That was Ian's style of journalism. He thought outside the box. 'I think that was what happened there and became his downfall. She said she Kay insisted: 'From the moment he told us, he phoned us to let us know we would start to see things in the paper about him, we never doubted him — that he had not been involved in this.' Kay also remembered Sophie, who was TIMELINE OF SOPHIE CASE December 23, 1996: Sophie's battered body, still in night clothes, is found outside her holiday home near Schull, west Cork, by a neighbour. February 10, 1997: Ian Bailey is arrested at his home for the murder but is later released. April 17, 1997: Inquest hears Sophie died from multiple injuries, including laceration of the brain and skull fracture, caused by a blunt instrument. January 27, 1998: Ian Bailey is arrested and quizzed for a second time, but is again released without charge. January 2002: A review is ordered into the murder investigation after a highly critical report is written by a solicitor. June 2008: A French magistrate orders the exhumation of Sophie's body for a post-mortem and forensic examination. July 2008: An inquiry into the handling of the murder probe recommends no prosecution. June to October 2009: French authorities travel to West Cork to view the crime scene and meet Irish investigators. Two Garda detectives travel to February 19, 2010: A French judge issues a European Arrest Warrant. April 23, 2010: March 18, 2011: High Court orders Bailey to surrender to European arrest warrant but he appeals to Supreme Court. March 1, 2012: The Supreme Court rules in Bailey's favour in his appeal against extradition. May 31, 2019: Bailey is found guilty of Sophie's murder in his absence in France. He is sentenced to 25 years in June 21, 2019: French authorities issue a third October 12, 2020: High Court rules against Bailey being extradited. Later, State decides not to appeal. It ends attempts to extradite Bailey. She said: 'This is not to forget that a very young mother was brutally murdered. 'I feel so sorry for the family because of the misguided belief that Ian committed the murder. They have just had so many years of torture.' Kay added: 'This is a final goodbye. And it's just doing the right thing by Ian and all of the support that he's had.' 5 The house where Sophie Toscan du Plantier stayed in Cork Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Kay initially brought his ashes back to Britain Credit: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Irish Independent
From shore to studio as Wicklow forager creates art from nature
Samuel and Kasia guided a group along the Bray coastlie, to gather seaweed and coastal plants to bring back to the studio and create a traditional form of photographic print. The process in the studio of creating some truly unique pieces of art was all captured by photographer, Leigh Anderson. In describing the journey from shore to studio, Samuel said it is all about 'merging various art forms to tell the stories of the seaweeds, coasts and streets, he gathers, wades and walks'. As a guide, the emphasis is on 'marrying ancestral skill within the modern landscape'. 'Foraging fosters an intimate relationship with our environment,' Sam says. 'We tap into an ancestral activity. We become part of the flow rather than spectators of the outdoors. We begin to truly care for our environment – the beach we comb, the forest we walk, the derelict land we trespass into, the small slices of wilderness that remain. We start to stand up for it. This is where I believe environmental action truly begins. 'We began our day (in the pouring rain – but with open minds) down at the south end of bray beach. We gathered coastal plants, seaweeds and stories along the walk. Then back to the Mermaid for some foraged nibbles and drinks – meadowsweet kombucha, sleabhac crisps and sugar kelp hummus and nettle seed pesto. Then we went into the studio where we prepared our solution to create photographic images using only the foraged plant material.' Merging their knowledge and experience, Kasia and Samuel bring together their passion for creating and learning with the elements – seaweed, plants, light and shade. "Foraging for nourishment and creating artwork, is an invaluable way to reconnect and therefore care for the environment we come home to,' Sam says. The next workshop 'The Communal Tide', will take place in September. Keep an eye on for confirmation of dates.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm the Irish artist who created world's most famous image but refused cash – I lost my home but my reason mattered more
HE created the iconic image that's adorned the walls of millions of homes across the globe - but passed up the opportunity to make hundreds of thousands in royalty cash. And Dublin artist 10 Artist Jim Fitzpatrick created the iconic poster of Che Guevara Credit: Reuters 10 Jim met Guevara by chance in Co Clare during the 60s Credit: Alamy 10 Jim created the famous image of Che in 1968 Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick 10 Jim also did various artwork for Thin Lizzy which An Post made into stamps He told The Irish Sun: "I never sought royalties for the The artist, who is also famous for his work designing Explaining the move to leave the potential cash unclaimed, he said: "I never wanted to accumulate money, all I wanted was to put a roof over my head." The Skerries native, who battled He told us: "I never thought I'd still be on the planet at this age. It's way beyond my expectations. "I had cancer in 2017, but survived that, and I am still walking around even after a hip replacement. "Getting to 81 means I am getting to do all the things I wanted to do and that's sending me down all sorts of highways and byways." And Jim's focus remains keenly on revolutionary figures - but this time just closer to home. He continued: "I was working on a project about the women of 1916 and now I am switching over onto a series about the rebels of 1798." Aside from creating stunning album sleeves for the likes of Thin Lizzy, Some of the notable album covers he's produced over the years include Sinead O'Connor's Faith And Courage and Thin Lizzy's Black Rose: A Rock Legend - which has been a tattoo choice for celebs such as Jim also produced a striking portrait of But despite commissions from around the world throughout his long career, Jim lost his house to vulture funds a few years ago, and now owns an apartment where he creates his art. The talented craftsman missed out on a fortune by refusing to copyright or charge for his most famous work - arguably the world's most recognisable image. The renowned piece on Marxist revolutionary and guerrilla leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara was based on a photograph by Alberto Diaz Gutierrez - known as Korda - in German magazine Stern in 1967. 10 Jim's artwork of Che Guevara was based on a photograph by Alberto Diaz Gutierrez Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 10 One of Jim's latest pieces is of 1798 Irish Rebellion hero John Kelly Credit: Jim Fitzpatrickv 10 The artwork for Thin Lizzy's album Black Rose: A Rock Legend Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick While the image was later reproduced on t-shirts, cups, posters and other merchandise worldwide, Jim did not assert his copyright until 2010, more than four decades after its creation. In 2013, Jim attempted to hand over the rights to the picture to the Cuban people to be administered by the Guevara family. However, because Che's family never signed and ratified the documents, the copyright on the picture remains with Jim. He said: "It's not valid until they sign those papers, but the family don't want to be dragged into the courts for every copyright violation, and I don't want to spend my time in the courts either. 'ACT OF SOLIDARITY' " "I've been told I need to be patient. All I want to know is that when I pop my clogs, that piece of paper exists and I have done the right thing. I never wanted to accumulate money, all I wanted was to put a roof over my head." Jim created his two-tone masterpiece by making a line drop-out of Korda's photograph. He then submitted it to Dublin's Scene to accompany a feature about the revolutionary's move from Cuba to Shortly after, Guevera was captured and killed by the Bolivian army. The following year, when Fitzpatrick showed his stark poster at the Viva Che exhibition in 'DEMAND WAS INSANE' Jim explained: "The demand was insane. It went off like a rocket. I just kept supplying, supplying, supplying. "I couldn't afford to keep getting it photographed, which is why I had to make all these variations." Pop artist Despite his image gaining popularity, Fitzpatrick didn't pocket a penny from its global success due to his copyright stance. 10 Jim has done a collection of works on Irish revolutionaries, including James Connolly Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick 10 Jim has previously said he thinks Johnny The Fox is the best Thin Lizzy album cover he produced Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick 10 A close-up section of Jim's original painting titled Oisin And Niamh Tir Na Nog Credit: Jim Fitzpatrick He explained: "I never sought royalties for the Che image because I was absolutely enraged by the manner of his death. "He was shot in the neck and left to drown in his own blood, because they didn't want to harm his face. "The Bolivians wanted his face intact so they could prove it was him. I was trying to get people to notice this man had been murdered." "I never thought I'd still be on the planet at this age. It's way beyond my expectations." Jim Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick said he took the murder personally because he met the doomed CHAT WITH CHE Jim said: "What happened was Che was flying back from "He ended up staying the night in Ireland and walked into the pub I was working in. I recognised him straight away. "I remember him saying his father's grandmother, Isabel Lynch, was from "He was very proud of the fact that the Irish were the first to begin to bring down the AN IRISH ED ON HIS SHOULDERS THIN Lizzy album designer Jim Fitzpatrick has said that Ed, 34, came under attack on However, Celtic artist Jim has defended the Shape Of You hitmaker. He told The Irish Sun: "Yes, Ed Sheeran is entitled to say his father's family are Irish. Anybody with Irish blood is entitled to be Irish, it's that simple. "My friend Phil was born in West Bromwich, outside "Like Phil, Ed Sheeran is an amazing, talented songwriter, and I'd be very proud to add him to the list of Irish diaspora. "President Jim claims he is delighted that we are living in a time where Ed can boast of his Irishness. He said: "I knew "Once it was viewed in England as a sign of inferiority and then during The Troubles people clammed up about Irish pride and heritage, but now The Troubles are over, groups like "I only wish Phil was around to see this because he was proudly Irish at a time when it was wiser to keep your mouth shut about your Irishness in Britain. "But Phil never tried to hide or disguise it. He strutted around England being an Irish man." The creative talent added: 'When Che was murdered, the first thing his father said was, 'Che died like a true Irish revolutionary'. That kind of stuff had a lot of resonance with me." Jim recently donated a print of 1916 hero Elizabeth O'Farrell to The Moore Street Preservation Trust, which is And, like most of Jim's work, the limited edition signed print quickly sold out. This Friday, Jim is donating another new work, a painting of 1798 Irish Rebellion icon John Kelly - who was immortalised in the Dubliners' song Kelly, The Boy From Kilanne - to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy,
