The Birdwatcher's Balcony Garden - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-birdwatchers-balcony-garden) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-birdwatchers-balcony-garden) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f0662b28-54c0-4289-9980-1c776d2f56a4/conversions/the-birdwatchers-balcony-garden---2-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ Bord Bia Bloom 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bord-bia-bloom-2026) Balcony Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bord-bia-bloom-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal The Birdwatcher's Balcony Garden ================================== Designed by Barry Kavanagh At a glance Show Bord Bia Bloom Year 2026 Category Balcony Garden Small Show Garden Photo: Bord Bia Bloom About this garden The story ----------- Sponsored by RTÉ Radio 1 and *Mooney Goes Wild*, The Birdwatchers' Balcony is a story of intergenerational connections. It celebrates the bond between a teenage girl and her grandfather who share a love of birdwatching. In this high tech and high nature sanctuary, designer Barry Kavanagh combines the analogue joys of nature with the digital tools used by younger generations to monitor and protect wildlife. The planting scheme, which feels wild, yet managed, contains a selection of bird-friendly plants that provide cover, nesting material, and food sources. Discreet bird-watching technology is complemented by homemade nesting boxes, crafted from repurposed household items. The central seating area offers a space for the pair to sit together, share knowledge, observe wildlife, and relax while listening to Derek Mooney's popular radio show, *Mooney Goes Wild*. This is a garden that offers an oasis for visiting birds, fellow pollinators, and themselves. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bord-bia-bloom-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal Bord Bia Bloom The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![Barry Kavanagh](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/barry-kavanagh/profile_photo.webp) Barry Kavanagh Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/barry-kavanagh) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f0662b28-54c0-4289-9980-1c776d2f56a4/conversions/the-birdwatchers-balcony-garden---2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f19d7944-9fa5-4b79-aacc-0fb38cfaa63b/conversions/the-birdwatchers-balcony-garden---1-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/6d3f8843-9bf0-4e97-8687-5060d3adc81f/conversions/the-birdwatchers-balcony-garden---3-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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