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Thursday, July 15, 2010
Colclough’s Walled Garden
A TOUR of inspection across Shelbourne took my fancy with two sensible guides.
We decided that passing the glory of revitalised Tintern Abbey would be impossible in case we insult the superb tour guide, Jim Moloney of the Chower or Kathleen Kinsella at reception.
Kathleen girlishly enticed us into the mediaeval atmosphered restaurant where her staff, led by her soprano voice, engaged in Gregorian chant.
Tintern Abbey, its extraordinary foundation story and its dazzling environs are not less than a sheer wonder, a feast for the eyes and a gulp of serenity for the soul.
That includes young and old, boys and girls. The story itself may be unbelievable but it is recorded.
William Marshal and his wife Isobel, King Diarmait Mac Murrough’s grand-daughter were sailing from Wales to Wexford when a storm of sudden ferocity blew up. It became far, far worse as it reached top force gale strength. The masts were broken.
The vessel, cargo and crew were completely at the mercy of the sea in an area of notorious sea disasters. There was a last resort. Marshal and Isobel brought all hands on deck.
They prayed fervently and they promised that if the Lord delivered them safely, they would inaugurate a monastery in honour of Our Blessed Lady wherever they landed.
With no means of control, their vessel was eventually beached well into Bannow Bay. The Cistercian Abbey was named Tintern de Voto Tintern of the vow. More good news in the ongoing O.P.W. developments at Tintern which will expand its already major attraction.
Hook Rural Tourism Ltd has signed a five-year licence with Coillte Teoranta to restore the Colclough Walled Garden at Tintern Abbey, Saltmills, County Wexford, to its former glory. The restoration project has been awarded grant funding from Wexford Local Development Ltd.
The Walled Garden once restored will operate as an organic fruit and vegetable garden, which will be open to the public.
This restoration of the Walled Garden will be an example for sustainable heritage regeneration that will build on the outstanding work already carried out by Coillte and the Office of Public Works at Tintern Abbey.
The main features of this 2.5 acre stone/brick-lined walled garden include curved corners, two intra-mural structures on the dividing brick wall which splits the garden in two sections, east and west.
The garden is tilted onwards the sun, 30 degrees south of east with the north wall considerably higher than the south.
A river flows from east to west parallel to the south wall splitting east and west sections using the golden ratio.
The Abbey and surrounding land were taken into the care of the Irish state in 1963.
The Office of Public Works is now responsible for Tintern Abbey and the Walled Garden, which is situated in a mature broadleaf forest, is in the care of Coillte Teoranta.
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