Garden installed on promenade to mark EU Presidency

A garden to commemorate Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union has been gifted to Cork city by Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath.

The garden arrived in Cork after appearing at the Bloom Festival in Dublin, and was installed on the Marina Promenade by staff from Cork City Council’s Parks Department.

The garden consists of 27 trees, each representing one of the EU’s member states, “symbolising unity, cooperation, and the collective effort required to build a resilient and prosperous Europe”, according to a spokesperson for Ireland’s presidency.

Some of the trees rise to more than seven metres in height, which creates a miniature forest through which visitors can explore.

Beneath the canopy, “naturalistic planting” provides a space for “reflection and connection”.

“It offers an experience that captures the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose at the heart of the European project. The garden encourages visitors to consider how EU investment supports resilience, opportunity, and cooperation in communities across Ireland and Europe,” said the spokesperson.

The garden was designed by two of Ireland’s most respected show garden designers, Oliver and Liat Shurmann. The pair have won numerous awards and medals at Bord Bia Bloom and Royal Horticultural Society shows. The EU garden marked their 14th Show Garden at Bloom.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damien Boylan said that he was honoured to accept the garden on behalf of the people of Cork.

“It is a wonderful addition to the Marina, and a powerful reminder of the connections that link Cork to communities across Europe. It creates another new space here on the banks of the river Lee for people to gather and to reflect on all that unites us as Europeans,” he said.

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said: “The garden reflects the strength we gain from working together. Just as every tree contributes to the health and beauty of a forest, every member state has a role to play in shaping Europe’s future.

“We are delighted that this award-winning garden will have a permanent home in Cork, where It can continue to inspire reflection on our shared European future,” he added.

Ireland took up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July of this year, replacing Cyprus. It will hold the Presidency until December at which point it will be taken up by Lithuania.

Over 250 meetings and other events are to be held in Ireland over the course of the presidency, with ten to be held in Cork.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.