Thousands of sunflowers bloom across three acres of the historic Kildare estate to raise funds for two Irish charities
Amanda Torrens, CEO and owner of Barberstown Castle
There is a spectacular new reason to visit Barberstown Castle this summer as thousands of sunflowers burst into bloom across three acres of the historic Kildare estate – all in aid of Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid.
The privately owned Castle in Straffan has dedicated three acres of its grounds to growing thousands of sunflowers, creating a spectacular sea of yellow which visitors are invited to come and enjoy while raising much-needed funds for the two charities.
The sunflower field opened to the public recently and, weather permitting, is expected to remain in bloom for approximately two to three weeks. Visitors can wander among the flowers, take photographs and enjoy one of the most colourful sights of the summer. Rather than charging a traditional admission fee, Barberstown Castle is asking visitors to make a nominal donation, or simply give whatever they can afford, with all proceeds divided between Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid.
Sensational Kids is an award-winning Kildare-based charity and social enterprise providing subsidised therapy and assessment services for children and adolescents, including Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. Since it was established in 2007, Sensational Kids has supported more than 10,000 children and their families.
Women’s Aid is a leading national organisation working to prevent and address the impact of domestic violence and abuse, providing support, information and services to women and children throughout Ireland.
The sunflower field is the latest initiative at Barberstown Castle which combines the estate’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity with its strong tradition of supporting charities and the wider community. Dating back to 1288 and set amid the rich countryside of Straffan, Barberstown Castle has been part of the Kildare landscape for almost 800 years and in recent times has placed an increasing emphasis on protecting and enhancing the natural environment surrounding the historic property.
Earlier this summer, the Castle hosted the start of The Bumblebee 1000: The Eddie Jordan Supercar Roadtrip, which saw around 45 spectacular supercars gather at Barberstown before setting off on a three-day journey in aid of Little Blue Heroes, the Garda-led charity supporting families of children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness.
Barberstown Castle has also supported Movember through the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, which brought classic and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts together at the Castle to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health, alongside its ongoing support for Women’s Aid and other charitable and community initiatives.
The sunflower project also fits perfectly with the Castle’s growing focus on sustainability and biodiversity. Earlier this year, Barberstown Castle planted 2,500 native Irish trees throughout the estate, creating new areas of indigenous woodland which will grow and mature for generations to come. The Castle is also home to its own honeybee hives, helping to support pollination and biodiversity throughout the gardens and grounds.
Amanda Torrens, owner of Barberstown Castle, said the sunflower field had brought a wonderful new dimension to the estate while creating an opportunity to support two important charities.
“We are absolutely delighted to support Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid, two incredible charities doing hugely important work. Supporting charities and our local community is something that is genuinely important to everyone here at Barberstown Castle, so we wanted this beautiful new addition to the estate to have a purpose too.
“The sunflowers have brought such wonderful colour and joy to the grounds this summer. When you see thousands of them together, they really are spectacular, and we would love people to come and enjoy them, take some beautiful photographs, and simply donate whatever they can. We hope that something which is bringing so much joy and colour to Barberstown can also make a real difference to these two wonderful charities.”
The sunflower field is located within the grounds of Barberstown Castle, Straffan, Co. Kildare, W23 CX40 and is open from 9.00am to 6.00pm daily and from 11.00am on Sundays. Having opened on Saturday, 8th August, the field is expected to remain open for approximately two to three weeks, depending on weather conditions and how long the flowers remain in bloom. Visitors are asked to make a nominal donation, or whatever they wish to contribute, with proceeds going to Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid. Parking is available at the Castle.
press release
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