And the nomination for best Irish gardener goes to ...

Fiann Ó Nualláin says Bernard McMahon was a home-grown horticultural hero who made it in the USA.

The American Gardener’s Calendar by Bernard McMahon.

If Irish horticulture was to have a hall of fame then Bernard McMahon (1775-1816) should certainly be on the list. If American horticulture was to have a hall of fame he would definitely be first in.

Of course he is not on our coinage, stamps or commemorated in a street name, statues, botanical garden in his native town or on the Irish educational syllabus, because we don’t really promote or celebrate our own in Ireland.