Geraldine Murphy sent us this update:
The Bee, Butterfly and Wildflower Gardens – Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown, Killiney.
Between Autumn 2022 and Christmas 2023, the gardens of Johnstown, Killiney church have taken on a new look thanks to a small band of volunteers, under the guidance of Máire Uí Scolaí.
Christmas 2022 saw us give the gardens a Christmas look with red and white Cyclamen. Along with the parish Christmas tree, the gardens looked well. However, Fr. John Sinnott had other plans and why not! The plan was hatched! Lots of weeding, clearing and cutting back, once a week, with a social cuppa as the reward!
Then a quick meeting with Fr. John and the merry band of volunteers. The list of perennial plants was drawn up. The quest was for bee friendly and butterfly friendly. Plants were purchased and manure dug in and the gardens began to look different. Two tonne of bark mulch gave it a good dressing. A rota was then drawn up for the watering of these plants.
Over the late summer, very little needed doing, until the Autumn when the second phase kicked in. With an emphasis on the birds and bees, this phase saw the eager crew plant Spring bulbs in the first garden and the second garden also has bulbs. This garden we are calling the Wildflower Garden and the bulbs planted reflect that, while the first garden will be the Bee and Butterfly Garden.
Wait for it! Still another chapter to this story as the Spring of 2024 will see bug hotels becoming an important feature of these gardens. Hopefully, the little creepy crawly friends will appreciate our work!
After this chapter, we will see what happens next. As the volunteer who co-ordinated the project, I wish to sincerely thank all the group who helped out each week, our groundsman, Nicky who assisted us in dragging away the many loads! To Raymond Harvey and Fr. John, thank you for your help. I hope these gardens give many parishioners much pleasure and the many people who pass by on their way to school or work.