Kildare firm builds Italian-inspired garden at famous spa resort

A Co Kildare firm is building a multi-million euro garden at a new resort in Co Antrim.

The investment in the Spa Village at well-known Galgorm Resort & Spa runs is worth £10 million. Caragh Nurseries has created the two-acre spa garden in the spa, in a formal, Italian-inspired area.

Plants and trees in the spa garden include Strawberry Trees, Mulberry Trees, Cork Oaks and an astonishing 400-year old Italian Olive Tree which was shipped from Tuscany.

The tree was driven across Italy on a lorry before making the rest of its journey by sea and road to reach Galgorm.

Caragh Nurseries owner Ian McGarry said: "We sourced an incredible Olive Tree from our partner nursery in Italy, and is witness to 400 years of history.

"How amazing to think that the roots of this 400-year old Olive Tree are now firmly set in County Antrim!

"The mix of trees has worked well because the overall look is not too ‘forced’, it looks natural, even though some trees like the Olive Tree are obviously not an Irish species it just works”.