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DES KINGSTON SCOOPS SILVER MEDAL AT BLOOM AS HE IS ANNOUNCED THE WINNER OF RTÉ’s SUPER GARDEN 2017

RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-10 Image Name: RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-10 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Picture shows: winner of the Super Garden Contest Des Kingston with RTE Presenters; Aine Lawlor and Marty Morrissey at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-13 Image Name: RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-13 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Picture shows: winner of the Super Garden Contest Des Kingston with RTE Presenters; Aine Lawlor and Marty Morrissey at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-12 Image Name: RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-12 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Picture shows: winner of the Super Garden Contest Des Kingston with RTE Presenters; Aine Lawlor and Marty Morrissey at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-11 Image Name: RTE BLOOM SUPERGARDEN MX-11 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Picture shows: winner of the Super Garden Contest Des Kingston with RTE Presenters; Aine Lawlor and Marty Morrissey at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Image Name: Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Pictured at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 was; Des Kingston, winner of the Super Garden Contest RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Image Name: Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Pictured at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 was; Des Kingston, winner of the Super Garden Contest RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Image Name: Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Pictured at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 was; Des Kingston, winner of the Super Garden Contest RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Image Name: Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Pictured at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 was; Des Kingston, winner of the Super Garden Contest RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Image Name: Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Pictured at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 was; Des Kingston, winner of the Super Garden Contest RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE
Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Image Name: Blooming Marvelous: RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 Description: 1/6/2017 NO REPRO FEE, MAXWELLS DUBLIN Pictured at RTÉ live at Bloom 2017 was; Des Kingston, winner of the Super Garden Contest RTÉ is broadcasting live over five days from a specially constructed mobile radio and TV studio and live performance area at Bloom 2017 with Aine Lawlor, Marty Morrissey, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marty Whelan & Ronan Collins among the familiar faces all broadcasting live from the RTÉ set. From live television to live radio, from live music to live RTÉ Weather reports and from lively panel discussions to children’s entertainment, RTÉ has a significant presence at Bloom 2017. RTÉ will also provide live updates throughout the festival on RTÉ.ie and across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RTEBloom. PIC: NO FEE, MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE

DES KINGSTON SCOOPS SILVER MEDAL AT BLOOM AS HE IS ANNOUNCED THE WINNER OF RTÉ’s SUPER GARDEN 2017

The Super Garden judges Gary Graham – Bord Bia’s Bloom Show Manager, Leonie Cornelius – Woodie’s Design Ambassador and Monica Alvarez – Super Garden Cuprinol Representative have deliberated and have announced Des Kingston and the garden “Rustica Hibernia” he designed for the Fitzpatrick family in Annacotty in Co. Limerick as the winner of Super Garden 2017. Des battled it out with four other budding designers to secure a coveted show garden spot at Bloom 2017, Ireland’s premier garden festival. Earlier today Des was awarded a silver medal at Bloom for his garden design.

Des’ garden entitled “Rustica Hibernia” or Rural Ireland, delicately blends industrial, agricultural and local historic influences in a contemporary urban setting. The grass slope is transformed into a three tier paved and gravel area with formal planting starkly contrasting the repurposed woodwork. A family photo of the Fitzpatrick family’s ancestors forms a personalised backdrop to the garden, while a rotating vegetable wheel completes the old world industrial feel.

Tipperary born Des Kingston met his art teacher wife Kathleen while studying graphic design in Limerick. The couple have four children together, Simon (32), Jessie (26), Susan (19) and Adam (13) and have spent the last 27 years converting a derelict church and graveyard in Ballyneety into their dream family home and garden. Des was incredibly proud when eldest son Simon got married in 2015 and chose the formal garden he had created as the backdrop to the wedding. Des set up a graphic design company after leaving college but it was hit hard during the recession. He is now eager for a new challenge and feels garden design allows his creativity to flourish. Showcasing his Super Garden design at Bloom means the world to Des.

Des dedicated the garden to his late father Jack who also had a passion for re-purposing things and taught Des to never throw anything out. He said, “The garden sits right in my soul, right with me. It’s exactly the way I wanted it to be – it’s as true to the plan I came up with as it could have been. To have been given a silver medal for my first garden at Bloom has done wonders for my self esteem and I am immensely proud of myself, my family and friends. I love my garden so much I have decided to recreate it in my own garden “Cahernorry Church and Gardens in Ballyneety, Co. Limerick which I am planning to open up to tours soon.”

Des created the garden for homeowners Rachel Mescall, Pat Fitzpatrick and their two sons Nathan (8) and Mason (6) in their new dream home in Annacotty, Limerick. It was a long and emotional journey but the goal to have a beautiful garden for their growing boys to play in kept their dream alive. Rachel loved gardening as a child and as a nutritional advisor, loves that their Super Garden has space to grow vegetables.

Rachel said, “Having had a few weeks growth and plenty of sunshine our garden now looks fuller and greener. The boys love being out there playing games, building Lego and helping me collect the lettuce, kale and cabbage from the veggie wheel. It’s like having an extra room to the house and is lovely to spend time in with family and friends.”

The other gardens featured in this year’s series included:

  • Ashling Harrison: Hygge Garden
  • Calum Sheeran Purcell: Bamboombox
  • Martin Greenwood : Over the Rainbow
  • Madeleine Dineen: Sanctuary

Each of the five designers were allocated a real garden to transform, with real challenges to overcome. With a tight budget and just five weeks to meet the homeowner’s needs and build a Super Garden worthy of a spot at Bloom, the series followed each designer from the initial concept and design stage, through the reality of the construction process to the all important judging day.

The series visited gardens in Kilmacud in Dublin, Annacotty in Limerick, Newtownmountkennedy in Wicklow, Clonsilla in Dublin and Tralee, Co. Kerry.

The series is sponsored by Woodie’s and Cuprinol.

For further information on the planting and materials used in Des’ winning garden please visit:

http://www.rte.ie/tv/supergarden/s9prog2.html

Photos of Des in his winning garden at Bloom have been sent to national picture desks and are available on request.

Stock images of Des from the series are available to download here:

https://presspack.rte.ie/2017/05/02/super-garden-26/

 

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Thursday June 1st 2017

For further information please contact: Rayna Connery, RTÉ Television Press Office, rayna.connery@rte.ie 01 2083169/ 087 9862902