A new book published with the support of Offaly County Council and the Creative Ireland program tells the story of how Geashill for decades was at the center of Irish horticulture. The book 'Alderborough Nursery Geashill, Offaly: Reamsbottom & Co., Geashill, and West Drayton & Alderborough St. Brigid Anemones' was written by Anne and Tim O'Rourke.
It tells the story of the horticultural business Reamsbottom & Co at Alderborough, Geashill, and West Drayton, London and the development of the Alderborough strain of the St Brigid Anemone which made it famous around the world.
Alderborough Nursery competed with the best nurseries in the world, winning awards, medals and accolades from judges and gardening publications. From 1890 to the 1980s, Anemones and a wide range of plants were exported from Geashill. Archives of all the important horticultural shows in Ireland and Britain record that Reamsbottom & Co. exhibited their produce and won prizes, particularly for their St. Brigid Anemones. By 1907, Reamsbottom & Co., had won 33 medals for Alderborough St. Brigid Anemones, including four gold.
The achievements of the nursery were in many ways extraordinary when viewed against the background of unrest caused by the Land War of the late 1800s, World War 1, the 1916 Rising and the struggle for Irish independence. A feature of life at the time was the constant uncertainty.
Read the complete article at www.offalyindependent.ie.
