On May 22, the Irish Embassy in London hosted a special event to celebrate Irish and British horticulture. The evening was led by Irish Ambassador to Great Britain, His Excellency Martin Fraser, and his wife, Deirdre. Held during the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the event followed recent talks between UK and EU leaders aimed at improving post-Brexit cooperation—particularly in areas like horticulture, which has faced major trade challenges in recent years.
More than 100 guests, including top industry experts and business leaders, attended the event. It featured impressive plant displays by Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) members Provender Nurseries and HSK Exotic Gardens, drawing praise for their Chelsea Flower Show-worthy arrangements.
The evening began with a panel discussion moderated by entrepreneur and gardener Liz Shanahan. She was joined by Billy Alexander of Kells Bay House & Gardens, Provender Nurseries Managing Director Richard McKenna, and HTA’s Director of Public Affairs, Jennifer Pheasey. Each speaker brought unique insights: Billy, a gold medal winner at Chelsea; Richard, an Irish business leader working in the UK; and Jennifer, an advocate for stronger horticultural trade links across borders.
Ambassador Fraser thanked guests and emphasized the importance of shared passion and cooperation in the industry. “We are proud to celebrate the best of Irish and British horticulture,” he said. “This event helps build new friendships and deeper connections in this important sector.”
Jennifer Pheasey from the HTA also welcomed the event, highlighting the group’s strong ties across the UK and Ireland. “These partnerships are vital,” she said. “We especially value the Ambassador’s commitment to horticulture. With the recent UK-EU reset, we hope to see trade barriers reduced and cooperation strengthened.”
Shanahan shared her joy at moderating the event once again, calling it a chance to meet some of her gardening heroes. “Green spaces mean so much to people’s health and well-being,” she said. “This event reminds us how powerful gardens can be—not just for beauty, but for healing.”
Richard McKenna described the night as an honour. “As an Irishman and a plantsman, it meant a lot to speak at the Embassy,” he said. “We supply gardens across Europe, and events like this are a great way to share our story, tackle challenges, and explore ways to grow together.”
Roisin Wilson, Business Development Director at HSK Exotic Gardens, expressed excitement about participating. “We were thrilled to showcase our plants,” she said. “The guests’ reactions were amazing. We’re excited to build new connections with people who share our love for plants—not just in Ireland, but everywhere.”
The event served as both a celebration and a conversation starter. It highlighted the vital role of horticulture in UK-Irish trade and the importance of collaboration in building a greener, more connected future.
