Tea and Friendship in Cabinteely Park's new Japanese Garden

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have officially opened the County’s first Japanese Garden in Cabinteely Park, as well as the newly refurbished cafe adjacent to the new courtyard garden.

Speaking at the opening, An Cathaoirleach ("Chairperson" in Irish, fulfilling the role of mayor in local authorities), Cllr John Bailey, commented on the strong bond between Izumo and Dún Laoghaire. “The development of the garden grew from a commitment to the city of Izumo in Japan with whom Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown signed a Friendship Agreement in 2008. I am delighted to officially open the Garden, which will no doubt prove a peaceful and enjoyable retreat for visitors to Cabinteely Park.”

Leslie Moore, Senior Parks Superintendent, pointed out that the opening of the new tearooms fulfils a commitment in the Council’s new Open Space Strategy to provide quality facilities in its flagship parks. “In addition to the new garden and tearooms, visitors to Cabinteely can look forward to a number of new additions to the Park in 2012, including a children’s maze, a wildflower meadow and community orchard, a cricket pitch and a high level tree adventure course.”

The new cafe is situated in a 19th century house which originally housed the Steward of the estate, and were refurbished by the Council’s Architects’ Department. A collection of work by Lafcadio Hearn, a renowned Irish-Greek author who interpreted and translated Japanese folklore into English for the first time, will be put on display in the tearooms in the coming months.

The Japanese Ambassador to Ireland was in attendance at the official opening, as well as elected members and representatives from the Japanese community in the Dublin area.

Cabinteely Japanese Gardens - Brochure (PDF download)can be seen here

This article and pictures were reproduced by kind permission of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Communications Office, originally posted here