Bonsai in Ireland

[Webos]

Hey Guys,
Well, I'm in the land of Shamrocks, Leprechauns and Guinness. Before I came I did a bit of research on Bonsai in Ireland and could hardly find a thing. Found one little shop in Dublin called "The Bonsai Shop" and stopped by for a chat. The lady in there told me that there isnt a single Bonsai club in the whole of Ireland. She told me that all of the trees in her shop had been imported from China and that her business was almost solely based on Christmas presents. Apart from her, there was only one other nursery....but that one had just shut down.

My chat with her helped me to come to a great realisation. Bonsai in Australia is ALIVE! The lady in the shop was flaberghasted to hear that we have clubs with memberships in the hundreds. That we have international guests. That we have National conventions. That we go out on club digs. That we have bonsai enthusiasts between the ages of 8 and 80 (and beyond) who share advice and enthusiasm.

Australian bonsai...we have something to be proud of and I believe we are only in our infancy.

Next week I've made arrangements to meet up with the lady whom's bonsai nursery has just closed down so I will send a full report.

Pup, just to let you know, within 30 mins of arriving here in Dublin, I found myself in a pub...Guinness in hand, Irish band playing in the corner. Been here now for 3 days and my diet has consisted of Guinness, Harp and Jamieson (Also had Black Pudding for Brekkie this morning and loved it). Been to the Guinness Brewery, was great!

Many a story to be told over the next 2 weeks...stay tuned

[Loretta]

You lucky man...I envy you like howwwww.

Loretta

[Glenda]

Thanks for this insight, Webos. It is easy to take what we have for granted, and your perspective helps us appreciate what a great country we have and what a great resource Ausbonsai is.

Glenda

[craigw60]

Hi Webbos, if you have a look at the IBC forum there are pics posted of an exhibition in Ireland.
Craig

[Jamie]

i hope you took your camera mate!

Ireland has some of the nicest country side in the world! i was supposed to go over there years ago when i was 15 to play Gaelic against the under 15's national irish side, i missed out with injury, the boys brought back a heap of pics and some awesome stories!

jamie

[Pup]

G,day Webos have not answered before as I have been crying, in my Kilkenny. Mrs Pup refuses to cook Black pudding for me, yet loves pork.

If you get to Limerick and go to any Pub and ask for a McCarthy just about any one who answers will be a relation so let them know, I am thinking of them.

If you look up Bonsai in Eire, you will probably find something, as Craig has pointed out there have been posts by Irish Bonsai growers.

Have a great time. Cheers Pup

[Josh7]

Isn't Irish bonsai planting trees upside down in the ground?
Just a poor attempt at humour.....

[Webos]

Hi Craig,
Can you point me in the right direction to the IBC pages on which you've seen the Irish Exhibition?

Thanks

[craigw60]

Hi Webbos try this address its under bonsai and headed "a few from a recent show" by Ian Young http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/bonsai-f1/
Good luck Craig

[Webos]

Thanks Craig. Yes, thats in Northern Ireland. The shop owner did tell me that there is quite a bit of activity in Northern Ireland, but not in the Republic of Ireland (Eire).

[Taffy]

(Also had Black Pudding for Brekkie this morning and loved it)

Black Pudding - REAL Black Pudding!!!!! Haven't had that for over 35 years The stuff we can buy here that is supposed to be black pudding is rubbish against the REAL stuff!!!!

[Crowie]

Black pudding?? Are we talking about the ancient art of Ecky Thump???
For the Kung fu and Goodies fans....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJxGi8bizEg

[Webos]

Mate, that Black Pudding energized me! Had it again this morning. I felt like a true ecky thump grandmaster.

Dont cry pup..its ok mate. Guinness is good for you. It's a medical fact and I am the proof. With every Guinness I drink over here, I seem to lose quite a bit of weight...particularly in the rear right pocket.

[bonsai eejit]

Hi,

Just joined this forum today after some of those amazing 360 bonsai where linked on the 'Wee Trees' Bonsai Forum (UK Based)

Being from Northern Ireland I did a quick site search for Ireland and found this thread.

I know technically N. Ireland is in the UK but it just over an hour from Dublin to Belfast The way I drive anyway
This is an open invite to any of you lot returning to the 'homeland', or just visiting, to pop up and see us. Our wee club is quite active and I'm sure I can get you a few collections to view while you're here. The Guinness is just as good and black pudding is also available

I had a lovely lady from Aus in my garden a few years back. She was home visiting her daughter. For the life of me I can't remember her name! She was involved with an Aus club in a big way though.

I have 2 sisters living in Perth and I hope to visit in about 2 years. So contacts would be appreciated. I want to see trees when I'm there.

Here's a link to our Society Blog, updated most days. http://www.nibonsai.co.uk/

Here's a few trees being displayed in a Winter Exhibition this weekend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUm3X_lW7B8

[Pup]

Hi,

Just joined this forum today after some of those amazing 360 bonsai where linked on the 'Wee Trees' Bonsai Forum (UK Based)

Being from Northern Ireland I did a quick site search for Ireland and found this thread.

I know technically N. Ireland is in the UK but it just over an hour from Dublin to Belfast The way I drive anyway
This is an open invite to any of you lot returning to the 'homeland', or just visiting, to pop up and see us. Our wee club is quite active and I'm sure I can get you a few collections to view while you're here. The Guinness is just as good and black pudding is also available

I had a lovely lady from Aus in my garden a few years back. She was home visiting her daughter. For the life of me I can't remember her name! She was involved with an Aus club in a big way though.

I have 2 sisters living in Perth and I hope to visit in about 2 years. So contacts would be appreciated. I want to see trees when I'm there.

Here's a link to our Society Blog, updated most days. http://www.nibonsai.co.uk/

Here's a few trees being displayed in a Winter Exhibition this weekend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUm3X_lW7B8

G,day eejit I am a perth man. So if you pm me, I will have contacts for you
Cheers Pup