The difference we made
This large lakeside site on Lough Corrib came with serious challenges: poor drainage, an older 1970s house that didn’t connect visually or physically to the garden or the lake, and difficult access between the two garden levels. The client wanted points of interest throughout the garden, stronger views to the lake, and a very high standard of finish across paving, driveway, and planted areas.
Working collaboratively with a local architect, we reshaped both house and landscape to “open” them to the water. We cleared a dense stand of Leylandii, installed a major drainage system, and reused the existing peaty/bog soil as a rich growing medium rather than removing it.
We introduced natural Irish limestone paving and silver granite walls and cobbles to create an elegant, consistent hardscape and to manage levels cleanly between spaces. The old tarmac drive was replaced with a resin-bond finish for a softer, more welcoming arrival.
To solve access and usability on both levels of the garden, we added durable, low-maintenance composite decks beside the river and in key viewpoints throughout the site, all linked with granite cobble pathways. Finally, layered planting — shrubs, heathers, alpines, herbaceous perennials, and bulbs — delivers year-round colour and continuous points of interest, tying the entire garden back to the lake.
