Gold Medal
Sponsored by RTÉ Radio 1 and Mooney Goes Wild, The Birdwatchers' Balcony is a story of intergenerational connections. It celebrates the bond between a teenage girl and her grandfather who share a love of birdwatching.
In this high tech and high nature sanctuary, designer Barry Kavanagh combines the analogue joys of nature with the digital tools used by younger generations to monitor and protect wildlife. The planting scheme, which feels wild, yet managed, contains a selection of bird-friendly plants that provide cover, nesting material, and food sources. Discreet bird-watching technology is complemented by homemade nesting boxes, crafted from repurposed household items.
The central seating area offers a space for the pair to sit together, share knowledge, observe wildlife, and relax while listening to Derek Mooney's popular radio show, Mooney Goes Wild. This is a garden that offers an oasis for visiting birds, fellow pollinators, and themselves.
