In May I was ushered in to Ireland on another Ash Cloud that tied up the best laid plans of many, including myself and my tour participants.  We finally arrived, only a day late and none too worse for the wear. We had a great time exploring the North, making some incredible connections in Irvinestown and not so great connections to long lost ancestors in County Mayo. Sometimes, genealogy is not only a process of finding ... but eliminating. Both a sign of progress.

This year we will start our County Series in Fermanagh - Tyrone and Waterford. If you're interested in these areas, please send a note. We'd love to hear from you!

If you are a historian, genealogist that wishes to make a trip to Ireland, or if you already reside in Ireland, please feel free to contact us about your expertise! We will need you for upcoming county tours and I'd love to hear from you!

The picture you see is Mt. Usher Gardens, in the county Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland. Mrs. Jay's garden is one of those that transcend the times and warrants a long stroll at any time of year. We will visit Mt. Usher as well as other gardens on The Garden Tour with landscape architect and gardener, Jennifer Bartley and will be taking place October 7-17, 2010. 

Jennifer's first book, Designing the New Kitchen Garden , focuses on how to have and design a kitchen garden that works in today's world.  In times past, the estates of Europe had kitchen gardens that would sustain the estate and it's residents. And along those same lines, we planted war gardens or "Victory Gardens" to sustain us and give us morale in times of war and depression. As our world cycles again, we are brought back to the basics. Journey with us to Ireland and explore the great isle, learn how to design your own garden and get hands on experience at such great gardens such as Mt. Usher, hear lectures on horticulture and see some of the private gardens that Ireland calls her very own.  It's a magical place in a magical time of new beginnings.  This tour is very limited in number, please sign up early HERE. Jennifer's newest book, to be released by Timber Press in October has aptly been named The Kitchen Gardener's Handbook, and will take you from garden to table, offering insight and great ideas to the home gardener. Can't make the tour? Stay tuned for Garden Talks in Ireland. We'd love to see you there!