Peter Dowdall pays tribute to Seamus O'Brien, a conservationist, colleague and friend

The head gardener of the National Botanic Garden, Kilmacurragh, made a major contribution to Irish and international plant conservation

The late Seamus O’Brien, head gardener, National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh, Co Wicklow. Picture: Dan Linehan

I'm not quite sure how to start this column; in fact, I've put off writing it for quite some time. You see, I want to do so much in this piece. I want to acknowledge his work and contribution, I want to express my sympathies to his family, and I want to acknowledge the help and assistance he gave to me through the years, now that he has passed.

I am talking about Seamus O'Brien, who unfortunately passed away far too early and at far too young an age in December 2025. Seamus was the head gardener at Kilmacurragh, which is one of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland.