Podcast appearances and mentions of Diarmuid Gavin

When most people think of gardens, they picture a quiet plot behind a house, a few potted plants on a terrace, or a peaceful Sunday stroll in a walled botanical garden. But in the small island nation of Singapore, something far more radical took root: What if an entire country could become a garden? This wasn't an ornamental idea. It was policy. Strategy. Even statecraft. And it began with one man: Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore.Diarmuid Gavin tell us all this week in Gardening Stories.All with thanks to Tirlán,

Diarmuid Gavin joins pat for this week's Garden stories.He's here to discuss a first; the world's first designed garden -- 3000 years ago.Listen here for more.

It's rare to find someone who changes the course of a field entirely. But every so often, a person comes along with such clarity of vision, and such a loud voice, that everything shifts. In the world of gardens, that person was William Robinson, the Irish gardener who told Britain to stop pruning, potting, clipping and controlling, and to start letting nature in.Diarmuid Gavin brings us the story of William Robinson.All with thanks to Tirlán.

This week on the show Diarmuid Gavin takes a look at the history of the Chelsea Flower Show.All with thanks to Tirlán.

Ireland continues to participate in the #PlantHealth4Life campaign, a European campaign to raise awareness of the critical role plant health plays in protecting food, biodiversity, and the environment. Now in its third year, the #PlantHealth4Life campaign returns with renewed focus on citizen empowerment, encouraging people across Europe including gardeners, travellers, and families - to become active plant health ambassadors. Led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission (EC), the 2025 campaign is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine in Ireland, and will empower citizens to become plant health ambassadors, spotlighting how everyday actions can have powerful impacts on biodiversity, agriculture, and the environment. Plant Health, Biodiversity, and Economy in the EU Speaking on the campaign, garden designer and UN FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Ireland, Diarmuid Gavin, said: "Along with being places of beauty, our gardens are frontline defences in the fight for biodiversity and climate resilience. Every seed we sow responsibly and every pest we spot early is a step toward protecting Ireland's natural environment. This campaign reminds us that plant health begins at home, and we all have a role to play." Ms Louise Byrne, Chief Plant Health Officer for Ireland, added: "Protecting plant health is something every person in Ireland can contribute to. People should travel wisely and avoid bringing plants and seeds home from abroad. Practice responsible sourcing of plants with plant passports from reputable operators. Monitor plants in your garden and in the wider environment for pests and diseases and if you've concerns email PlantAndPests@agriculture.gov.ie. Empower the next generation by teaching children about the importance of plant health." Emphasising practical action and community involvement, the campaign encourages informed citizens not only to reflect but also to share their knowledge and inspire others to join in the collective effort to safeguard our ecosystems and economies. The campaign urges travellers not to bring back any plants, flowers, seeds, fruits, or vegetables from outside the EU, as these items may harbour plant pests or diseases detrimental to native flora. Additionally, consumers are advised to buy plants and seeds online only if accompanied by a valid phytosanitary or plant health certificate. Embracing good plant hygiene practices and promptly addressing signs of plant pests or diseases in home gardens and communal outdoor spaces will also prevent their spread to neighbouring plants and natural habitats. Sylvain Giraud, Head of Plant Health Unit in the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) said: "When citizens understand the vital role of plant health in their lives - from the food on their tables to the air they breathe - they become powerful agents of change. The #PlantHealth4Life campaign is a reminder that each of us can make a meaningful difference by staying informed and making thoughtful choices that help protect what sustains us all." Giuseppe Stancanelli, Team Leader for Plant Health Risk Assessment at EFSA added: "A plant isn't just a plant - it can carry other living organisms too. In our interconnected world, plants move more than ever. That's why the EU relies on science-based risk assessment to understand and manage potential threats to plant health - helping to protect our environment, agriculture, and biodiversity. Through the #PlantHealth4Life campaign, we're raising awareness across Europe." The 2025 #PlantHealth4Life campaign is running across 26 EU Member States, five EU pre-accession countries, and Switzerland. Visit www.efsa.europa.eu/en/plh4l and discover how to safeguard plant health. About the campaign #PlantHealth4Life is a multi-year and multinational campaign developed at the request of the European Commission and based on an in-depth analysis of citizen perceptions and behaviour with respect to plant h...

We all know about the iconic cuisines of the world from Italian to French, but do we underappreciate irish food? A new show airing on BBC called 'Anna Haugh's Big Irish Food Tour' is a 15-part series explorong the magic of our own food and cuisine and will feature the likes of Katherine Ryan, Dennis Taylor, Angela Scanlon, Ed Byrne, Shayne Ward, Laura Whitmore, Vanessa Feltz, Diarmuid Gavin, and Eilish O'Carroll. Anton is joined by Anna ot chat about it all.

In the hills above Mevagissey on the Cornish coast, where mist clings to the trees and time seems to linger in the hedgerows, there lies a garden that once disappeared from the world. Not just abandoned. Not merely overgrown. Lost. Forgotten by its owners, swallowed by ivy, bramble, and silence. It was not only the plants that vanished, but the lives of the people who had shaped them—names unspoken, stories untold. Diarmuid Gavin tells us the story of the lost Gardens of Heligan.All with thanks to Tirlán.

"Perched high above the city of Granada, the Alhambra appears less like a fortress and more like a dream suspended between heaven and earth" Take a moment for tranquility with Garden Stories from Diarmuid Gavin.All with thanks to Tirlán.

In the heart of Dublin's bustling city centre lies St Stephen's Green, a place of calm amid chaos, a patch of peace in a fast-moving metropolis. Known simply as “the Green” to Dubliners, it's where students loll on sunny afternoons, office workers grab quiet lunch breaks, and tourists pause for breath amid their sightseeing. But behind its ornamental lake, elegant railings and leafy paths lies a fascinating and, at times, fiery history stretching back nearly a millennium. Diarmuid Gavin brings us the story of St Stephen's Green.All with thanks to Tirlán.

There are gardens that dazzle. There are gardens that soothe. And then there are gardens that haunt you. That lodge themselves in the corners of your mind and whisper to you years after you've gone. Today, I want to tell you about one of those. A place where history and nature have coiled so tightly around each other, it's hard to tell where stone ends and blossom begins. This is Ninfa - The Garden of the Nymphs. Located just south of Rome, near Cisterna di Latina, Ninfa is unlike anywhere else.Diarmuid Gavin, Garden Designer tells us all about these wonderful gardens.All with thanks to Tirlán.

Garden Stories: Mount Congreve, the Magnate, the Magnolias, and the Masterpiece. Today on Garden Stories, we return to one of the greatest gardens in the world and the singular man behind it. Diarmuid Gavin tells us all.All with thanks to Tirlán CountryLife.

Barber poles were a sign for drawing blood?Diarmuid tells Dave all about the PTSB Ideal Home Show and his moving plants!

Diarmuid Gavin takes us to Japan on The Pat Kenny Show this week!As the countries cherry Trees bloom in the Sakura season, Japan braces itself for a time of natural theatre across the country.

Here's a story about one man's vision, a man who saw cities drowning in floods and believed they could be saved not with more concrete, but with nature. His name is Professor Kongjian Yu, a landscape architect. Ridiculed, rejected, even accused of betraying progress, he stood by his radical idea that cities should work with water, not against it. Today, China and many other countries are reaping the benefits of his persistence.Diarmuid Gavin shares the story of sponge gardens.

Irish garden designer and presenter Diarmuid Gavin opens up to Sean about why he passionately wanted to change gardening forever, he speaks about his friendship with Charlie Haughey, mingling with the Royal family, and what the unwavering support of Journalist Terry Keane and her family did for his career.  

This week Diarmuid Gavin tells us the history of Derek Jarman's garden Prospect Cottage. Derek Jarman was never a man to follow convention. A filmmaker, artist, writer, and activist, his life was one of relentless creativity and defiance. his artistic journey took an unexpected turn when he found himself on the windswept shingle of Dungeness, a desolate landscape on the Kent coast, dominated by a looming nuclear power station and battered by salt-laden winds. Most people would have seen it as barren, inhospitable. Jarman saw possibility. When he overheard talk of a small black fisherman's cottage for sale, he bought it on impulse and named it Prospect Cottage

Imagine stepping into a garden where power, politics, and artistry collide. A place where kings and queens once walked, where war and diplomacy shaped the very landscape, and where a hidden tunnel of green shielded a queen from he relentless summer sun. This is Het Loo, the Dutch palace of William of Orange and Queen Mary, a Baroque masterpiece built in an era when gardens were not just for pleasure but for power.Diarmuid Gavin tells us the story of these wonderful gardens and palace.

Ellen Wilmot was an English horticulturist and influential member of the Royal Horticultural Society, and a recipient of the first Victoria Medal of Honour, awarded to British horticulturists living in the UK by the society.

Diarmuid Gavin joins us to talk about the creation of the Garden at Garnish Island.

In this week's show:Diarmuid Gavin on preparing your garden for a season of growth and colour!Interior Designer and renter Gillian Lawlee and the mind behind ‘My Life in Colour' on making a rental feel like home.Finding treasure in charity shops with Interior Designer Natasha Rocca Devine.Showcase Ireland's Creative Expo 2025 returns to the RDS. Two exhibitors: Alison Byrne from Wildbird Studio and Ceramicist Ola Wartak-Tolak, creator of Stories by Ola, join to discuss.

Award winning Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin on the 43ft vertical garden in the shape of a puppy in Spain.

Award winning Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin shares the story of cosmic speculation in Scotland.

The story of the Gibside estate is a fascinating tale of grandeur, estate making, gardening, resilience, and intrigue, spanning generations of the Bowes family. Diarmuid Gavin, Garden designer tell us more about the estate.

In the heart of Beijing's prestigious Haidian district, amidst government buildings and universities, a surreal sight captured the imagination of many a sprawling traditional Chinese garden perched atop a 26-storey luxury apartment block. Diarmuid Gavin tells us more about these wonderful gardens.

Award winning Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin shares some Christmas gardening advice.

This week Diarmuid Gavin takes us on a historic tour of Powerscourt Gardens.

Diarmuid Gavin brings us some advice on gardening during the cold winter weeks.

Diarmuid Gavin joined Anton in studio this morning to answer listeners gardening queries.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden has a wonderful story that begins long before it became one of the most iconic gardens in England. The garden is fascinating not only for its beauty but for its complex and innovative design. Diarmuid Gavin brings us the story behind this iconic garden.

Award winning garden designer Diarmuid Gavin joined Pat on the show this morning to answer listeners green fingered questions but also to explain why our autumn colour is expected to be so good this year, its all to do with the weather!

Award winning garden designer Diarmuid Gavin joins us to share the remarkable and slightly scary story of Sacro Bosco Gardens.

This morning Diarmuid Gavin joined Pat to share the story of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Diarmuid Gavin joined Anton in studio to give some great gardening advice to our listener as we head into Autumn.

This morning Diarmuid Gavin brings us the story behind the wonderful Iveagh Gardens.

Today on Garden Stories Diarmuid Gavin delves into the fascinating world of power, jealousy, and intrigue that shaped one of the Renaissance's most stunning masterpieces. We hear about the history of the Gardens of the Villa d'Este, created in large part to make the pope jealous!

Gardener Diarmuid Gavin joins Kieran Cuddihy to put his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder's Bookshelf!

Diarmuid Gavin joined Pat in studio to help listeners with their gardening questions.

One of the world's richest women outbids the king of Belgium for a prime piece of land at Cap-Ferratand and builds a pink palace surrounded by 8 extraordinary gardens. This week award winner gardener Diarmuid Gavin tell us the story behind Villa Ephrussi and Béatrice de Rothschild.

Award winning garden designer Diarmuid Gavin shares the story behind The Rock Garden of Ryōanji Kyoto, Japan.

Award winning gardener Diarmuid Gavin joined Jonathan this morning on the show and gave some great gardening tips and advice to our listener.

Ireland has joined a European-wide effort to underscore the importance of plant health. The #PlantHealth4Life campaign is led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Commission (EC), and is active in 22 European member states. PlantHealth4Life, European Initiative Speaking about the campaign, Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity with special responsibility for Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: "We are proud to stand alongside our European partners to raise awareness of the profound interdependence between plant health and our collective well-being. This collaborative effort is a unique opportunity to engage citizens from all walks of life - be it the intrepid traveller, the conscientious gardener, or the vigilant parent - in safeguarding plant health." Ms Louise Byrne, Chief Plant Health Officer for Ireland, added that the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine conducts comprehensive inspections on imports of regulated plants and plant products. Importantly however, a critical element is educating the public across all spectrums, from commercial importers to amateur gardeners on the need for heightened awareness of the issues at stake and to not attempt to import unchecked plants and plant products that pose a risk to Ireland. The campaign urges travellers not to bring back any plants, flowers, seeds, fruits, or vegetables from outside the EU, as these items may harbour plant pests or diseases detrimental to native flora. Additionally, consumers are advised to buy plants and seeds online only if accompanied by a valid phytosanitary or plant health certificate. Embracing good plant hygiene practices and promptly addressing signs of plant pests or diseases in home gardens and communal outdoor spaces will also prevent their spread to neighbouring plants and natural habitats. Speaking on Ireland's involvement in the campaign, leading Irish garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, who was appointed as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' Goodwill Ambassador for Ireland in May 2022, said: "Safeguarding Irish plant health is paramount. As gardeners, we hold the power to effect change - by allowing our gardens to flourish naturally, propagating your own plants from seeds, sourcing plants responsibly, and vigilantly monitoring for abnormalities, we can collectively protect our botanical heritage." Tobin Robinson, Head of EFSA's PLANTS Unit added: "Plant health impacts not only the environment, the economy, and the European food chain but also our present and our future - by keeping plants healthy, we are protecting life. It is therefore a source of pride to see how Europeans are engaged in the topic, as demonstrated by the unprecedented participation of Member States in the #PlantHealth4Life campaign." Claire Bury, Deputy Director-General for Food Sustainability of DG SANTE stated: "Informed European citizens armed with accurate information on plant health can help protect and preserve our biodiversity. Plant health is a priority for the European Commission within the One Health approach. By informing people about the importance of not importing pests into the European Union and empowering them with the knowledge to take appropriate actions, we can make a difference." Visit the #PlantHealth4Life campaign at www.efsa.europa.eu/en/plh4l and discover how to safeguard plant health. About the campaign #PlantHealth4Life is a multi-year and multinational campaign developed at the request of the EC and based on an in-depth analysis of perceptions and behaviour on plant health across the EU. This year, the campaign involves 21 Member States and a candidate country, doubling the reach from the previous year: Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Montenegro. About EFSA The European Foo...

Diarmuid Gavin tells the tales behind the creation of some of the world's most remarkable gardens.

Sometimes Dave will google the answer and sometimes he will just ask his friends.Celebrity Gardener, Diarmuid Gavin was on hand to answer this weeks question about an Apple Tree.

While we're on our short summer break, I'm playing some of my favourite episodes from the series so far. This one is from May 2021, its with my friend and colleague Dermot Whelan, who has just announced that he's leaving the Dermot and Dave Show on Today FM to focus on his mindfulness business. When we record this episode, Dermot had just released his bestselling book Mind Full. He told me all about the book, the business and how and why it all started. Dermot is also a very talented impressionist. Diarmuid Gavin, Rory McIlroy, Professor Snape from Harry Potter and even the late great Terry Wogan all make an appearance in this interview. Enjoy the chat and don't forget to follow the series for free, and drop us a rating and review if you're feeling generous! Produced by Patrick Haughey, AudioBrand

It's time for our bonus live episode with Diarmuid Gavin from April 2023!Before the launch of season 4, we present a bonus live episode!Recorded in the lovely surrounds of Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, the lads chat to everyone's favourite plant botherer, Diarmuid Gavin.Of course, because it's WWYTMT, Diarmuid doesn't expound on his favourite plant but details the story of the Irishman who changed an airport, a town, a country and how everybody in the world flies. What a topic! What a man! Part 1 sees Dave and Neil exchange aviation and space trivia,I'll see your “first meal consumed on the moon” and raise you “how to get through airport customs without being cavity searched”.Season 4 coming Wednesday, June 28th, 2023!Presented and Produced by Neil Delamere and Dave MooreEdited by Cathal MinogueMusic by Dave MooreArtwork by Ray McDonnell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the heat wave continuing Gardeners' Corner is live at Garden Show Ireland in Antrim Castle Gardens. David Maxwell is joined by Diarmuid Gavin, Cherry Townsend and Mary Doris who will take questions from an invited audience. Also on the programme, with house plants one of the big themes at this year's show, Conrad McCormick will pick some of his favourites and away from the show David heads to nearby Ballyrobert Cottage Garden where Maurice Parkinson believes that summer can be perhaps the best time to get new plants established in the garden. Email the programme - gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

The coronation of King Charles is just ten days away, and as is tradition in the UK, there are commemorative pieces and merchandise popping up. Everything from mugs, plates, coins, tankard, t-shirts, food - but also, gardens. Two months ago, Diarmuid Gavin moved to Antrim and has been working on a garden to commemorate the King's big day, and he joined Sean to tell him all about it... Image: Instagram @diarmuidgavin

With two weeks until the coronation, David visits a garden under construction to mark the event. Diarmuid Gavin's bold design for The King's Coronation garden will soon be an eye catching attraction at Hazelbank Park on the shores of Belfast Lough. Among those helping to get the garden finished on time are some students from CAFRE's Greenmount campus. Also on the programme, Helen Mark visits the National Trust's Florence Court where Ian Marshall and his volunteers are busy planting broad beans and potatoes in the kitchen garden. Jekka McVicar reveals her favourite herb for April and Reg Maxwell joins David in studio to answer questions and provide some seasonal inspiration for the gardener at home. Contact the programme – gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk . Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

In this week's episode, Dave wants to tell Neil about The Oscars. Not The Oscars in 2023 but The Oscars in general and how an irishman is key to it all. With the help of the Historian in Residence at EPIC, Catherine Healy, we learn about Cedric Gibbons, the man with 39 Oscar nominations, 11 wins and the fact that he designed the Oscars statuette. We also encounter a man twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty and a woman from Scotland who swam, cycled and ran her way into the Academy Awards!Don't forget to buy tickets to our live gig on April 3rd in Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin with the inimitable Diarmuid Gavin:https://smockalley.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873634000And read about Cedric Gibbons here:https://epicchq.com/story/cedric-gibbons-the-irish-american-who-designed-the-oscar/Presented and Produced by Neil Delamere and Dave MooreEdited by Cathal MinogueMusic by Dave MooreArtwork by Ray McDonnell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Maxwell heads to Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow where 3000 roses are being planted in the Italian garden. Head gardener, Alex Slazenger introduces David to some of the winter highlights in a garden for all seasons. In Hazelbank Park on the north shore of Belfast Lough, Diarmuid Gavin is starting work on a garden to mark the coronation. Mary Doris has tips of creating garden for all the senses and award winning author Eoghan Daltun on the need to let nature in. Brendan Little joins David live in studio to take questions and to give tips for the week. gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk