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Crainn na hÉireann – an exhibition by the Irish Society of Botanical Artists

Press Release: For immediate release

Crainn na hÉireann – an exhibition by the Irish Society of Botanical Artists

On the October bank holiday, the Irish Society of Botanical Artists will celebrate Ireland’s twenty-two native trees with an exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin.

The Society launched the project in 2022, inviting their members to illustrate native trees and their botanical details. Over the past two years, the painters have gathered botanical information and scoured the countryside for examples of these native species in all seasons. They have produced a set of paintings for each tree, enlarging the smallest of details and providing a record for identification and appreciation for the wider public. Crainn na hÉireann – Ireland’s Native Trees highlights the sometimes tiny, and very beautiful buds, flowers, seeds, and leaves, which in the ordinary course of our observations, we may miss or take for granted. The ‘Winter’ painting in each series shows a portrait of the tree and shows the bark in detail, to give a comprehensive and aesthetically beautiful record of each tree.

With over sixty paintings, this exhibition is sure to captivate and engross visitors to the National Botanic Gardens. We hope to excite interest in and appreciation of our native species, as we have in previous a exhibition, Éireannach – Irish Native Plants. At a time when biodiversity and climate change are watchwords for environmental concerns, our native plants are key to preserving our landscape and our wildlife. In focusing on the tiny details of familiar trees, this project will, we hope, encourage the public to look closely and appreciate anew the wonder of nature, and how fortunate we all are to have such diverse and fascinating native flora. In doing so, a sense of ownership and responsibility for its preservation is sure to follow.

The Irish Society of Botanical Artists is an island-wide group of botanical artists and friends, dedicated to the practice and promotion of botanical art and illustration, and to the preservation of Ireland’s botanical heritage. We are indebted to the National Botanic Gardens and the OPW for their support and hospitality.

The exhibition opening is by invitation on Saturday 28th of October in the Visitor Centre at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, with an introduction by Éanna ní Lamhna, Irish biologist, environmentalist, author, & presenter. The exhibition will be open to the public from Sunday 29th of October until Sunday 12th of November. Entry is free and ISBA books, including the publication for this exhibition, will be on sale in the gallery.

Airfield Estate Gardens

Ardan Garden

Ballintubbert Gardens and House

Ballycommane Garden

Ballyedmond Castle Garden

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Ballyrobert Gardens

Bantry House and Garden

Belvedere House Gardens & Park

Benvarden Garden

Birr Castle Demesne

Blarney Castle and Gardens

Burtown House and Gardens

Caher Bridge Garden

Colclough Walled Garden

Collon House

Coolaught Walled Garden

Coolwater Garden

Dawros Gallery & Garden

Douentza Garden

Dower House

Drimbawn Garden

Dromana House and Gardens

Festina Lente

Fota House – Victorian Working Garden

Gash Gardens

Glenarm Castle Walled Garden

Glenavon Japanese Garden

Hester Forde Garden – ‘Coosheen Garden’

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hunting Brook Gardens

Irish National Stud and Gardens – The Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden

Johnstown Castle, Estate, Museum and Gardens

June Blake’s Garden

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall

Kilgar Gardens

Killruddery House and Gardens

Killyreagh Garden

Kilmokea Country Manor and Gardens

Kilravock Garden

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden

Lodge Park Walled Garden

Loughcrew Gardens

Medina

Mount Congreve Gardens

Mount Stewart House and Gardens

Mount Usher Gardens

Oakfield Park

Old Deanery Garden

Patthana Garden

Rothe House Museum and Garden

Rowallane Garden

Salthill Garden

Seaforde Gardens

Seanabea Cottage

Springhill

Strokestown Park Gardens

Tourin House & Gardens

Tullynally Castle Gardens

Tyrrelstown House Garden

Woodville Walled Garden

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