Wonder of Trees
Wonder of Trees: A Samhain Tree Experience
Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026
Join us at Powerscourt Estate for two inspiring days celebrating the wonder, wisdom and importance of trees.
Featuring leading voices in horticulture, ecology and conservation, the weekend will include guided tree, biodiversity and wellbeing walks through Powerscourt Gardens, along with engaging panel discussions exploring how we can protect nature and work with it more effectively.
All paid-event tickets include admission to Powerscourt Gardens for the day.
Saturday 31 October: The Wisdom of Trees
Saturday will bring together renowned tree and nature experts to explore the extraordinary world of trees and the important role they play in responding to climate change, biodiversity loss and rising temperatures.
The day will include:
- A guided tree walk with Powerscourt Head Gardener Alex Slazenger
- Biodiversity walks with Rosemary O’Flynn
- Forest bathing experiences with Beneath the Canopy
- An afternoon panel discussion featuring Tony Kirkham, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Faith Wilson and Richard Nairn
- Guided afternoon walks with Tony Kirkham, Éanna Ní Lamhna and Faith Wilson
The main panel will be facilitated by Catherine Cleary of Pocket Forests.
Sunday 1 November: Working with Nature in Action
Sunday will focus on the people and community projects putting nature restoration into practice across Ireland.
The day will include:
- Guided walks led by Wildacres and Bloomin’ Crumlin
- Accessible tree and biodiversity walks with Alex Slazenger and Rosemary O’Flynn
- Forest bathing and nature-based wellbeing experiences
- An afternoon panel featuring representatives from Wildacres, The Hare’s Corner, Bloomin’ Crumlin, Dark Sky Ireland and the Irish Wildlife Trust
- Informal networking and opportunities to meet people working in biodiversity, conservation and nature education
Through practical stories, shared learning and meaningful discussion, Sunday will highlight what ‘working with nature’ looks like in action—and what individuals and communities can do to support biodiversity.
All paid-event tickets include admission to Powerscourt Gardens for the day.
Details on the event and Terms & Conditions below.
The Wisdom of Trees
Join us for a positive, solutions-focused discussion exploring how we can protect and manage trees in a changing climate.
The panel will examine the importance of choosing the right tree for the right place, understanding soil and local growing conditions, protecting existing trees and making informed planting decisions for the future. It will also explore tree resilience, biodiversity, woodland management and the vital role trees play in supporting our health and wellbeing.
With practical guidance and real-world examples, the discussion
will help everyone, from home gardeners to landowners,
feel more confident about planting and caring for trees.
Attendees will leave with simple, achievable ideas
they can put into practice in their own gardens and communities.
Speakers:
- Tony Kirkham MBE, keynote speaker
- Éanna Ní Lamhna
- Faith Wilson
- Richard Nairn
Facilitated by Catherine Cleary, broadcaster and co-founder
of Pocket Forests.
Choose Your Ticket
‘The Wisdom of Trees’ Panel Only | €18
Attend the panel discussion from 2.00–3.30 pm.
‘The Wisdom of Trees’ Panel and Guided Walk | €25
Attend the panel, followed by a guided walk through Powerscourt Gardens from 4.00–5.00 pm. Choose from:
- Guided walk with Tony Kirkham
- Guided walk with Faith Wilson
- Guided walk with Éanna Ní Lamhna
All tickets include admission to Powerscourt Gardens for the full day. Places on the post-panel walks are limited, and advance booking is essential.
Tree Walk with Alex Slazenger - 10 am - 11.30 am
Alex will share his personal journey growing up on the Estate and how a lifelong love of trees inspired his career as a gardener. Along the...
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Biodiversity Walk with Rosemary O'Flynn 11 am - 12.30 pm
This Tree & Biodiversity Walk will explore how trees in gardens can become thriving havens for wildlife from bees and butterflies to bir...
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Forest Bathing Walk with Cat de Wit “Beneath the Canopy” - 10 am - 11.30 am
Cat and Orlagh will take you on a forest bathing walk. We will start with a sensory meditation where we notice what we can see, hear, smell,...
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Forest Bathing Walk with Orlagh Walsh “Beneath the Canopy” - 11 am - 12.30 pm
Cat and Orlagh will take you on a forest bathing walk. We will start with a sensory meditation where we notice what we can see, hear, smell,...
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