The diggers move in

Action! The diggers move in

Today it poured with rain for hours, turning the new foundations into lakes that we had to hop and skip through to access the office. Ah the joys of building: mess everywhere, water and grit trampled through every room, banging noises and no gas in the cooker. But it's all worth it, we are going to have a fabulous new Visitor Centre by the end of April! 

Foundations for the bright new cafe seating..

This blog will be a fun way to record the ups and downs of the build, and hopefully to share the thrills of seeing the building take shape. Its exciting and a bit scary at times as Brigit's Garden takes a big leap forward.

I can also give you a peek at all the work that goes on behind the scenes as we struggle womanfully to keep the office going and prepare for the new Centre, heating our soup on camping gaz and coping with arctic draughts. I'll introduce you to the team and our plans for the future.

Right now I have to go to Oranmore to look at windows....

Jenny

We are rebuilding!

Brigit's Garden is proud to announce a major development of our Visitor Centre, supported by a LEADER grant of €175,000 under the Government’s Rural Development Programme. The building works are already under way and are due to be completed by mid-April.  The new Centre will feature an attractive reception area, a larger Gift Shop and an expanded Café with conservatory-style seating overlooking the gardens. The building will be environmentally friendly and will be carefully landscaped with a new patio area, picnic areas and additional children’s play equipment.

This is an exciting development that will greatly enhance the experience for visitors while retaining the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of Brigit’s Garden. As well as providing an excellent level of service for visitors to the unique Celtic-themed gardens the new Centre will be a destination in its own right for lunches, teas and gift shopping.

Announcing the funding, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan complemented Brigit’s Garden on being ’an innovative and interesting project that is not only a significant tourist attraction in the Connemara area but is also an important education, heritage and community resource’. As Brigit’s Garden is a not-for-profit project and an educational charity the new facilities will also help us provide a vital and innovative resource for the community.

Due to the construction works the spring re-opening of the gardens will be delayed this year, and we are planning a lively re-launch weekend in late April or early May, the exact date to be confirmed.

As the Roundhouse is unaffected Sunday morning meditation continues weekly at 11am and our annual celebration of Brigit’s Eve is also going ahead on Tuesday 31st January at 7.30pm in the Roundhouse (click here for details) but there will not be a family afternoon for Brigit’s Day this year.

We look forward to keeping you in touch with developments and welcoming you to the new Visitor Centre!