‘It’s the end of another era’
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
A Japanese themed garden in Gorey has officially closed after 23 years of providing a peaceful place for the public to sit and relax. Located in Glen Richards in Courtown, the garden opened to the public for the last time on Sunday, August 31.
Iris Checkett, owner of the popular garden, said around 50 people showed up to support the garden for one last time. “This year was quiet enough, but I had a big crowd on Sunday afternoon,” she said.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
As the chapter on the garden closes for Iris she said she was very sad to see it close to the public after pouring her heart and soul into the maintenance of the garden over the years.
The garden was open every summer between May and September for visitors to enjoy. Iris said the garden was often used as a venue for charity events and fundraisers in the local and wider community.
She further spoke about the importance of the garden for people who wanted a space to unwind, especially during times of difficulty. “It’s very peaceful and a lot of people over the years came to the garden if they were troubled,” she said.
The garden is of great importance to Iris and as the sole caretaker of the precious, she plans to continue the upkeep of the garden. “I still have to maintain the garden, there’s nobody else – I live on my own and it takes a lot of work,” she said.
The impressive garden was created over ten years on the challenging clay Macemore soil and depicts the four seasons centred around a recreated oriental Japanese pavilion.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
The garden also emphasises the four elements, earth, wind, fire and air to expand the oriental feeling of the garden. Stone lanterns and a Liquidambar Walk flanks one of the perimeters to accentuate this theme.
She further said she would have to consider deeply regarding the possibility of the garden reopening under new management. “My children have been at me to close it for now for a years, because I’m the only one that will maintain it, and I have to work very hard.
Iris Checkett’s Japanese theme garden in Courtown has officially closed for good.
Iris said the garden will still be used for a number of private functions, which were organised prior to the decision to close. The gates ae closing for good, and Iris is ready to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
Iris worked as a nurse at Wexford General Hospital for 30 years and said work began with the garden after she retired from the hospital. “It’s the end of another era,” she said.
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