Season 3, episode 5 –
Biodiversity in the Phoenix Park is crucial and Leif Barry who works in the Visitor’s Centre keeps an active eye on seasonal changes affects biodiversity in the park. We accompany him on one of his fascinating daily walks to track the flora and fauna around Ashtown Castle. Over at the Walled Garden Brian and Kathy are enjoying experimenting with new crops as they grow corn and pumpkins this year. High jinks ensue as Brian attempts to keep the crows away from his precious seeds.
As always, the Park is full of historical surprises, Bohemian Football club was founded in the park in 1890 and we meet with Bohs Historian Gerry Farrell who gets to enter the hallowed lodge in which his beloved football club was founded. Over at the US Ambassador’s residence on the anniversary of 9/11 the US Embassy invite Paul McCormack founder of the photography project Ground Zero 360 to the share his eye witness story.
Series Overview –
It’s a Park’s Life returns to RTÉ One on November 18th with a jam-packed season three. We will see the return of our favourite Rangers Kieron and James and Gardener Brian, along with his new colleague Kathy but we also go behind the scenes in two of the most important buildings within the park, Áras an Uachtaráin and Farmleigh Estate. We get a rare insight into daily life with the Garda Mounted Unit who are based in the park and we meet with those who have a life long bond with the Phoenix Park, such as champion runner Catherina McKiernan and TV Personality Nora Casey, who grew in one of the gate lodges. As the seasons change over six episodes of this stunning series we reveal life within Europe’s largest urban park.
Season Three has some very special guests show us around their favourite locations in the Park, first up none other than the President’s wife Mrs Sabina Higgins, who brings us on a fascinating tour of her favourite spots within Áras an Úactaráin gardens. She reveals the significance of the individual gardens that have been cultivated throughout the presidency. She is also very passionate about increasing biodiversity within the Áras and she reveals the work being done within the gardens to promote biodiversity. With a herd of Dexter Cattle arriving to graze the land around the Áras we meet with President Michael D Higgins for the arrival of this very special native breed of cattle.
Over at Farmleigh Estate Georgina Davis is the House Manager and she gives us a behind the scenes tour of what is involved in preparing the State guesthouse for a visit from dignitaries and guests of the nation. For the first time we get exclusive access to the private rooms within the house and see how the Queen and a host of other dignitaries spend their evenings when staying at Farmleigh. Georgina provides a fascinating insight into what it takes to create an unforgettable stay for her guests. It is all in the detail!
As with every series wildlife within The Phoenix Park features heavily, we reveal a fascinating study being carried out by UCD on the deer herd and how feeding of the deer by the public is adversely affecting the habitat.
Brian our beloved gardener has a new gardening partner Kathy, we follow them over the course of the season and see how things are working out. As ever there is plenty work to be done but plenty laughs too! We focus on the sunflower planting, herbaceous borders and of course the pumpkin picking in time for Halloween.
We journey with the Rangers Kieron and James as the patrol the park and mix with the public, and they even get to chase a few sulkies this year! Speaking of patrols, we reveal the work of the Garda Mounted Unit who are based in the stables of Áras an Uactaráin, we follow these highly skilled Gardaí and their horses as they venture on a training exercise through rough terrain within the park.
It’s a Park’s Life never disappoints when it comes to little known historical connections within the park and we reveal a story about how Bohemians Football Club was founded in one of the gate lodges in 1890. Speaking of gates… the main gates of the park have been carefully restored over three years and we document the restoration of these precious historical objects and the nail-biting re-installation. This season promises to be the most action packed yet. The season finale is a festive one as the Gardeners and Rangers prepare for Christmas. We meet member of The Park Singers Choir and we and even get a visit from Santa at the 15 acres.
Narrated by Emmy winner Baz Ashmawy, ‘It’s A Park’s Life’ is the perfect show for the whole family to sit down and enjoy together, and hopefully learn a thing or two along the way.