The gift shop at Antrim Castle Gardens currently stocks a range of Fair Trade products including a new range of children’s pocket money items and themed interior decorating items from Lanka Kade.  Items are sourced from seven family enterprises in Sri Lanka, made from sustainable rubber wood, and not involving child labour, UK designed and CE approved.

The ethos of the gift shop is that 80% of the stock is either Fair Trade, Organic, Environmentally Responsible, Recycled, Locally Sourced or supporting Heritage Crafts.

Indulge a sweet tooth with organic artisan chocolates from Booja Booja, biscuits and oatcakes from Ditty’s of Castledawson, and preserves from Bella Jo of Ballycastle, paired with Fair Trade Coffee from Johnsons of Lisburn. Or pamper a loved one with aromatherapy treatment candles from Amie Organics, Lemon and Hemp Oil soap from Harnett Oils in Waringstown, or soften up with Figs & Rouge organic balm.

Gardeners will find heritage seeds, patio pots and accessories, tools and gift sets for even the smallest garden, from windowsill boxes to landscaped acres.

Thomas Etty Seeds supply the likes of Heligan Gardens and the National Trust, environmentally-sustainable Nutscene garden tools and sundries are made with natural materials, while Match Carden miniature cress gardens can be grown on the office desk!

A wide range of garden-related gifts are available, suitable for all ages. The Shop is open Monday to Saturday during venue opening times 9.30am-5pm.”

The Arch tensile membrane structure supplied by Aura Canopies is a modern alternative to the traditional wrought iron or wooden pavilions often seen in public parks.  With an attractive arched shape, tensile fabric and galvanised steel frame, the canopy makes a durable, waterproof roof whilst also making an architectural statement through the creation of a key focal point within the gardens.

The structure itself is a sculptural tensioned canopy enclosing an 8metre by 8metre floor space.  It features an innovative rainwater run-off collection system below ground level which will provide a valuable recycled water supply for the planting nearby.  Traditionally, gardeners collect rainwater from down pipes on buildings, in water butts to ensure a supply of soft water for watering plants.  This carries on that tradition in a more sophisticated way, collecting and storing larger quantities of water that can be accessed by a new pumping mechanism in close proximity to the garden beds.

John Santy from Aura Canopies commented, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Henry Brothers Ltd to deliver this innovative events space solution for Antrim Borough Council. This is the first commission of this type that we have undertaken in Northern Ireland and the site provides one of the most historically unique settings for installing our structures. We have been delighted with the preparation of the site and the attention to detail by the design team involved. We would also commend Antrim Borough Council for introducing their innovative approach with harvesting rainwater for irrigation within the garden”.

As a covered event space, the tensioned fabric offers UV light protection for outdoor classroom activity in summer, and optional side panels create a unique garden pavilion for entertainment or hospitality. Group and individuals interested in arranging special events or activities at the Pavilion should contact Clotworthy House on 028 9448 1338 or email culture@antrim.gov.uk

The perennial favourite, Tea (or coffee) and Scone with Jam and Fresh Cream is currently £2.50 per person.  A range of teas, coffees, tray bakes and cakes are also available, together with soft drinks and fruit juices.

The Spring Menu includes:

Panini £4.50   Beef Tomato, Mozzarella cheese and pesto (V)

                        Gammon and Cheddar cheese

                        Roast beef and red onion/roast red pepper marmalade

                        Sliced breast of chicken with sundried tomato chilli jam

Sandwiches and Wraps (Freshly prepared) served with side salad £3.95

                        Choice of sliced gammon, roast beef or chicken, tuna, prawn Marie Rose, or Cheddar cheese;

served with tomato, cucumber, onion and a choice of dressing: whole grain mustard, Caesar, sweet chilli or salad.

Soups of the Day with fresh breads £3.50

Caesar Salad with Smoked chicken, croutons and Parmesan £5.75

Smoked Salmon and Prawn Open served with Castle Bakery Wheaten & leaves £6.50

Baked Potato with a choice of filling, from £4.95

Hearty Beef Stew with crusty bread £4.95

Feedback gathered over many years determined the desire of many visitors for a food and beverage service to be available within Antrim Castle Gardens.  Finally with the restoration and development of this landmark project, it is possible to enhance any visit with a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.  The team at Castle Catering Ltd is passionate about the new facility and is keen to develop a profile for the garden Coffee Shop that matches their other prestige venues at Belfast Castle, Malone House and City Hall.

To make an enquiry contact Reception at Clotworthy House: Telephone 028 9448 1338 or email culture@antrim.gov.uk

Then why not join the “ Antrim Castle Gardens Friends Society” and work alongside Council staff in the development of gardening heritage activities and a year-round programme of events.

Volunteer can enjoy “hands-on” experience of gardening with fellow gardeners.  You will be able to use facilities such as indoor and outdoor workshop areas, potting sheds, glasshouse and specific areas assigned for community gardening.

The first public information meeting will be held in the Old Courthouse, Antrim on Wednesday 5^th October at 7pm.

In a feat of engineering agility, the stone Wolfhound was lifted by crane from Antrim Forum lawn at 9.30am and travelled the short distance, across the Sixmilewater River, back to Antrim Castle Gardens.  It was then positioned within the boundary of the building complex at Clotworthy House, orientated at 253 degrees from North, facing the mouth of the Sixmilewater River, where Lady Marian is thought to have encountered wolves.

The Wolfhound has been assessed by garden archaeologist Thomas McErlean to be one of the very few stone representations of a wolfhound in Ireland.  It will become a focal point between a number of recently refurbished buildings and forms part of Antrim Castle Garden Restoration & Development Scheme that has attracted a grant award from Heritage Lottery Fund in excess of £3 million.

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The Cultural Services team look forward to the return of many clubs, societies and organisations who have found a professional conferencing service in the new expanded Clotworthy complex.  There are more rooms and spaces for activities than ever before and a warm welcome is extended to community and voluntary organisations that may be looking for a venue for their regular meetings.

The complex will have a Board Room, Conference Room, two Workshop Rooms, and a Music Resource Centre.  The Cultural Services team is currently programming a range of participation activities and there is sure to be demand on new rooms and garden spaces, so remember to book as far ahead as possible.  To enquire about rooms in the Clotworthy complex or in the Old Courthouse contact culture@antrim.gov.uk or telephone 028 94481338.

Garden Archaeologist Thomas McErlean is providing details on some of the remarkable features of the garden.  Lady Marian’s Wolfhound for instance, has been revealed to be one of the earliest surviving stone statues of an Irish wolfhound in Ireland!

Tree specialist Dr Philip Blackstock has identified five ancient oak trees parallel to the river that appear to have been planted before the seventeenth century planned Garden, which is dominated by lime trees.  It is considered that these oaks may have marked an earlier roadway between the town and a Medieval trading port near the Lough.  There is still much to discover about the designed heritage landscape of Antrim, the Castle Gardens and Parklands, and how they were influenced by human occupation over the centuries.  Carefully piecing together the story of the garden and the surrounding heritage landscape is painstaking work and will continue to demand work for years to come.

The Victorian Garage features a “Nature Roof” covered with a plant called Sedum.  Sedum is a desert plant which holds water from heavy rainfall in swollen leaves forming a tight mat, thus alleviating some of the flooding pressure on drains from rain water run-off.  This exciting living roofing material insulates the building reducing heat loss to the atmosphere and reducing the pitter patter sound of rain.  It also creates a micro-climate for insects, a refuge for birds and the plants change colour with the seasons through green, orange, red and brown.

The Large Parterre is shortly to be equipped with an 8 foot by 8foot square tensioned canvas pavilion structure on the terrace at the North end, serving as an outdoor classroom and roof for select events.  Rainwater run-off from this feature will be stored in underground tanks and used to irrigate the plants in the Parterre in summer, conserving water.

Commenting on the ceremony, the Mayor stated, “I’m delighted the Minister and our funding partners have joined us for this momentous occasion. I feel a real sense of history at this ceremony today. What lies beneath this area is the remains of a castle that was lost to us. However, I feel reassured that the work being undertaken by the Council will help interpret the significance of this site and the surrounding gardens for generations to come.”

Minister Poots commented, “My department has nurtured a very positive relationship with Antrim Borough Council on the complex restoration of this very historical site. So, it’s a great pleasure to be here today to see for myself the progress which has been made.”

Also present at the event was Paul Mullan, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland. Paul commented, “Antrim Castle Gardens is one of the best surviving examples of an 18^th century Anglo-Dutch water garden, and is of huge historic significance both locally and nationally.  The start of works at the former site of Antrim Castle is an important milestone which will see this unique heritage site restored and conserved for the benefit of us all, and we are delighted to be involved.”

From left to right: "Ian Henry – Henry Brothers, Magherafelt" "Nick Livingstone – Strategic Director, Arts Council Northern Ireland" "David McCammick – Chief Executive, Antrim Borough Council" "Cllr Pam Lewis – Mayor of Antrim" "John Wallace – Enkalon Foundation" "Paul Mullan – Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Northern Ireland" "Edwin Poots MLA – Environment Minister"

Work has been progressing on-site since last year with the expectation that the majority of work will be completed by the end of 2011. Refurbishment work at the nearby building complex, which includes a new centre for garden heritage at Clotworthy House is expected to be completed by the Autumn. Other buildings within the complex will feature new community garden and arts facilities.

Nick Livingston, Strategic Director, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said, “The Arts Council is committed to investing in arts facilities across Northern Ireland and creating opportunities for people to participate in the arts.  We hope that the new arts facilities at Antrim Castle Gardens will create a vibrant space for the people of Antrim and we keenly await the opening of the refurbished buildings later this year.”

Over the past few months, Henry Bros Ltd of Magherafelt, appointed as main contractors working alongside an experienced design team, have dealt with many challenges of this multi-faceted building programme.

To meet Health and Safety regulations the site is now entirely closed to public vehicles, and a new car park has been created at the Randalstown Road entrance to facilitate pedestrian access, which is presently only restricted at the Dublin Road underpass close to the Barbican Gate.  The contractor has taken steps to ensure that viewing points are provided in site hoarding to allow visual access to work in progress for members of the public.

Even after such a short time, the changes to the site are notable

• The new car park located to the rear of ‘The Barn’ has been excavated and foundations laid
• Restructuring of Clotworthy House has begun with the dismantling of the studio theatre and the removal of internal divisions created over the years to facilitate its many uses
• Approximately 40% of the system of drainage channels across the site has been cleared of accumulated debris
• Clearance works are underway to facilitate the re-instatement of some ‘lost’ paths and vistas throughout the Wilderness area