The Irish Obsession
The Gardens geographical location was considered by some to be far from ideal and even Moore referred to it as “a droughty, draughty gravel-ridge”. However, there were advantages for the orchid collections. Fog in urban areas had a detrimental effect on both indoor and outdoor plants but Glasnevin was not prone to this. Robert Lloyd Praeger (1865-1953) wrote that Glasnevin was “handicapped neither by the smoke of London nor the cold winds of Edinburgh”.
The fog was so serious in London that the Royal Horticultural Society's Scientific Committee undertook an investigation into the detrimental effects of fog and engine smoke. It was deemed to be chronic and constitutes an ever increasing source of dismay to all interested in Horticulture. (RHS, 1891)
Robert Allen Rolfe (1855-1921) of Kew visited Glasnevin and also made reference to the advantages of the site, stating Glasnevin is “well equipped in the matter of houses and pits for their reception, in which suitable climate for the majority can be found. It is probable that the somewhat moister climate and comparative absence of urban fog are also beneficial factors.”
(Rolfe, 1903)
