Alan McIlveen, Horticultural Manager, Greenmount Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

A  picnic in a spectacular garden setting- what could be nicer?  

This summer, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise will once again open the gates of Greenmount Campus to allow members of the public to enjoy the  Richardsons Walled Garden, DARD Rose Garden and explore the beautiful campus grounds and nature trail.  The campus and gardens will be open :-

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July – Garden Weekend

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August – Rose Picnic

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August – Greenmount Garden Gallery

The weekend of the 25 and 26 July will focus on general gardening. Expert staff will be on hand throughout the weekend to answer gardening questions and offer advice on horticulture careers and horticulture courses at Greenmount campus .

The DARD Rose Garden will be looking it’s best for the Rose Picnic open weekend of 8 and 9 August . A colourful display of cut roses will give visitors the chance to experience at close quarters the incredible colour and smell of these timeless plants.  Members of the Rose Society for Northern Ireland will be in on hand throughout the weekend to offer tips and advice in the art of rose growing.

“Greenmount Garden Gallery” will return on the weekend on 22 and 23 August . On this weekend the gardens act as an outdoor gallery for local artists to display their work in a garden context. The Inspirations Contemporary Floral Art group will be creating temporary/transient floral art forms using natural materials and Greenmount Floristry Club will be presenting a display of floral handbags. Antrim art club will also be capturing garden scenes on canvas throughout the weekend.

So why not take some time out and make use of one or more of these four splendid opportunities to visit Greenmount Campus, the main centre for horticulture education in Northern Ireland.  Admission is free. Opening times are 10.30 am -5.00 pm on Saturdays and 1.00pm-6.00 pm on Sundays.

For further information on Campus Open Weekends and Walled Garden