The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI), founded in 1816, is the Ireland's leading

gardening Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants as part of horticulture. In gardens, ornamental plants are often grown for their flowers, foliage, or overall appearance; useful plants, such as root vegetables, leaf vegetables, fruits ...

charity.

History

The RHSI was founded as a charity in 1816 promoting and educating on all aspects of gardening in Ireland. The inaugural meeting took place on 30 September 1816 at the Rose Tavern, Donnybrook, Dublin as a Horticultural Society of Ireland with the

Earl of Charlemont Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Old Norse, Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "Germanic ch ...

as its patron and Francis Hetherington as its chairman. The new society held its first flower show on Easter Monday 1817, and flower and fruit show on 18 August 1817. After a number of shows in the intervening years, the society declined, and was re-established with a new committee in 1830. By 1848 the Society became known as the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland. Its membership is made up of both professional and amateur gardeners. In 2016, the RHSI celebrated its 200 anniversary.

References

{{Authority control Gardening in the Republic of Ireland Organizations established in 1816 1816 establishments in Ireland