An enlivening lecture was given to the assembled company by an exuberant local gardener, Mr Geoffrey Finch, a luxuriantly bearded gentleman of much humour and enthusiasm imparted to us his entire love of Ireland, its music, people, wildernesses and more formal gardens, even including its immeasurably moist weather, which, of course influences most of the above.

He often holidays there, enjoying its fuchsia lined country lanes, its quiet bays and rolling hills and its varied fauna and flora.  The former includes red squirrels and deer, dolphins, lambs and donkeys.  In the Killarney village which they favour it includes unusual small gardens containing rough grass and perhaps a bull and in more remote areas a bungalow with slightly smoother grass, a flower bed and a rock.  Vegetables do not appear.

Historically, however, the remains of potato growing mounds litter the countryside, with their appalling memories of the blight  and famine.  Also originally English occupied stately homes remain as derelict shells, whilst the associated gardens flourish, be they landscaped styles with copses of strategically planted trees and expanses of water or the more intimate rose gardens, sunken ones, or parterres, all skilfully tended.

We were led a joyous trail of musical pub evenings, solitary untrammelled walks in free wild places with gorgeous wildflowers and everywhere the wholehearted artistic appreciation of Irish scenery and interestingly well-planned gardens.

And finally the evening concluded with the dispersal of a table full of generously donated raffle prizes.

Next meeting on 8^th September 2008 when Mr G Ace will give a talk on Rock and water features