Gavin strikes gold at Chelsea with controversial sky garden

GARDENING purists said it wasn’t gardening, and as with gnomes at Chelsea, it shouldn’t be allowed. Others warned it would be grounded by blustery winds.

But Diarmuid Gavin’s Irish Sky Garden proved them all wrong, scooping a gold award at the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday and remaining in situ.

The first “flying garden”, sponsored by Cork City Council and Fáilte Ireland, drew large crowds on press days and on members’ day.