RHSI Gold Medal of Honour presented to Brian Duncan.

The RHSI Medal of Honour was recently awarded to Brian Duncan in recognition of his significant contribution to horticulture.
Brian and his wife Betty travelled from Omagh and were joined by friends and RHSI members at a small gathering in the National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh where head gardener Seamus O’Brien, spoke about Brian and Betty and RHSI president Peter Harrison presented the medal.

Brian is part of a lineage of Irish Daffodil growers and breeders which stretches back to the mid-nineteenth century, featuring names like William Taylor Hartland, J Lionel Richardson, Guy Wilson and W J Dunlop, all of whom bred and named many varieties of Narcissus. However, none named anything like as many as Brian who, since 1961, with his first named daffodil, Narcissus ‘Premiere’, has registered and named over 940 varieties. This extraordinary achievement ensures that his name will long be remembered in the history of Irish horticultural greats and particularly among the small band of dedicated daffodil breeders.

A regular exhibitor and award winner at shows in Ireland, England and America, Brian’s work has been recognised by The American Daffodil Society, by multiple RHS awards and with an MBE, so it was singularly appropriate that we recognised his work and awarded him with the RHSI Gold Medal of Honour. His achievement is shared with his wife Betty who has been an integral part of the success from the start. Typically generous, Brian presented the RHSI with three beautiful and, as yet unnamed Narcissus which we look forward to growing in RHSI Bellefield where Paul Smyth and Darragh Stone are planning to continue the Narcissus breeding programme, ensuring this great Irish legacy lives on.

Congratulations to Brian and Betty, we were delighted to spend some time with you in Kilmacurragh.

Philip Hollwey – Chair