SUZIE’S ORCHARD

“Susie’s Orchard” was originally an orchard at the back of the family farmhouse which belonged to Susie. Susie by all accounts was a generous person with a friendly outgoing personality now better described as an individual from a by gone era of “old” Ireland.

“Susie’s Orchard” was originally an orchard at the back of the family farmhouse which belonged to Susie. Susie by all accounts was a generous person with a friendly outgoing personality now better described as an individual from a by gone era of “old” Ireland

Josephine Ann Fitzhenry lived in Enniscorthy with her husband Mark Joseph and their three children Bridget, Emer and Mark. They had dreams to live in the countryside and this farmhouse property came up for sale. Josephine Ann fell in love with the location and in particular, the “Norfolk Farm Gate”, at the entrance to the site. This motivated the family to bid and they bought the property in 2000 and built the present house on the site of the old farmstead.

Now, when you meet Josephine, an energetic lady, outspoken and happy, falling in love with a “gate” would probably make some sense to you. I think Susie is looking down from above and is very contented that her home occupied by such a person and her family.

Josephine explained to me, as if to justify her off the cuff actions “my favorite saying is Parte Eien (seize the moment)” I guess this brings us back to the “Gate”!

In 2003, Josephine Ann got to work on her garden. Whilst still maintaing Susies apple trees, she extended the garden area to encompass a lawn at the back of the house and the garden continuing right to the front of the house. Colourful seasonal flora, lush shrubs and cozy seating areas create sort of hideaways, where you can isolate yourself from the surroundings. Old plants brought from her old home and her mothers home have special place as a living memory from the past for all her family, a living memorial that spring to life each year in a frenzies of colourful bloom.

Now Josephine Ann, being Josephine, and being a creative person, with strong individual personality developed her garden as if it was a painters canvas, waiting to receive her unusual opinion, her finesse, her dreams of combining colours together in a living seasonal display whilst keeping the ambiance of wild nature with a morsel of organization.

The colour Pink, the colour of compassion, nurturing and love, feminine, affection, intimate and caring. Being Josephine’s favorite colour it is very present in her garden in the form of constructed garden architecture. She did explain to me that her family thought “she had lost it” when she began applying these fussy, vivid, strong additions to their place, the family garden. The swing couch, the octagonal “thought” shed, the large sun water feature all add individuality and reflect the fundamental nature of this wonderful lady to this special, family place that she has created.

Josephine also adds her artistic creativity to flower arranging and Wedding Bouquets. From September she will use the garden ambiance for live meditation activities.

The garden, located in Kiltealy in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountings, is about 12 kilometers along the R730 road from Enniscorty, Co Wexford.

Open to the public April to December, Friday to Monday 2-6pm.

Tel Josephine Ann on: 053 9255322