Diarmuid Gavin

Diarmuid Gavin (born 10 May 1964) is an Irish garden designer and television personality. He has presented gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show on nine occasions from 1995 to 2016, winning a number of medals, including gold in 2011. He has also authored or co-authored at least ten gardening-related books.

Early life Gavin was born in London on 10 May 1964, to Irish parents, and brought to Ireland when he was a month old. He received his primary school education in St. Joseph's Boys National School in Terenure. He received his secondary education at Templeogue College; he recalls the subjects as being "horrifying," with the exception of art classes with a favourite teacher, Mr Weafer. He applied to the College of Amenity Horticulture at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, failing the first time, but securing entry three years later. A notable early commission was for social columnist Terry Keane, a contract during which he also met his future wife. Gavin described the garden as inspired by the Oscar-winning animator Richie Baneham (who drove visual effects for Avatar), as well as by the "suspended table" novelty restaurant concept, and by the Midsummer Festival of the Senses at Cork, the landscapes of Capability Brown, Charles Jencks and the some Italian Renaissance figures. The garden was built in an ovoid container suspended more than 25 metres above the ground. Twenty-five reflecting and flowing pools on the ground showcased the garden, which could be visited by show-goers in groups of up to eight. This garden won the gold medal at the show. The decision attracted widespread criticism including that of a number of Cork city councillors with Councillor Ted Tynan pointed out that there were over 500 boarded up local council houses in the city and demanded clarification from the council as to what the exact cost of the garden would be. He described the complexity of the preparation of the garden, which combined classic garden elements, buildings and mechanical animation, and involved planning and preparation over a year, and around 150 people. He did not participate in the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show, nor those of 2018 and 2019.

Patronage, promotional and charitable work Gavin has been a patron at Southport Flower Show and many others. He became patron of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland in August 2019.

He has run several fundraising events for the Cill Rialaig Artists' Retreat.

Gavin has also participated in promotional work for Ireland's horticultural development board, Bord Glas, free of charge.

Talks and courses Gavin has presented many talks and lectures in both Ireland and the UK, and has also delivered courses on gardening and garden design.

Television Presenting Gavin presented Surprise Gardeners, a Central TV (ITV) series, and also Virgin Gardeners for Channel 5. Gavin was the fourth celebrity to be eliminated from the show, despite low scores on his first night.

On 8 October 2013, Gavin appeared as a guest on The Sarah Millican Television Programme on BBC, and on 9 October 2013, on the ITV game show Big Star's Little Star, with his daughter Eppie. On 14 December 2013, Gavin appeared on The Chase: Celebrity Special, and on 5 March 2014, he appeared in an episode of Sport Relief's Top Dog with his dog, Roxie.

On 8 September 2019 Gavin appeared on a Channel 5 edition of the Irish reality TV home improvement show Room to Improve.

Gavin appeared on Series 1 of The Apprentice UK, agreeing to donate a Suzuki 600 motorcycle to a charity auction.

Awards In addition to the Chelsea Flower Show medals mentioned, Gavin won an RDS Gold Award in 1991 and again in 1993.

In 2007, Gavin received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Art from Nottingham Trent University in recognition of his international reputation for contemporary garden designs.

Publications Gavin is the author or co-author of 10 gardening and garden design books, released since 2000, some of which have sold very strongly, been released in multiple editions, and been translated to multiple other languages. His works include: Planet Patio: Stylish Outdoor Living, 2001 Homefront in the Garden: inspirational designs and ideas from the cutting-edge BBC TV series, 2001, with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen The Gavins have a daughter, Eppie, born December 2004.

The Gavins live, and Diarmuid manages their garden, near the village of Kilmacanogue, south of Dublin, in County Wicklow, Ireland. On the one third of an acre around the house, which he enhanced with beams from the former Jervis Street Hospital, he has ponds, a shed created from his Dundrum Town Centre pop-up shop, and items from some of his Chelsea Flower Show gardens.