Delta Centre: Circle of Life Garden
Deservingly, Carlow Town won a Gold medal in 2024’s Entente Florale – a prestigious European competition celebrating environmental excellence at local level. In addition, Delta Sensory Gardens won a Special Characteristic Prize, of which the multi-sensory garden creation the ‘Circle of Life’ garden deisgned by Elma Fenton is proudly part of. She is one of 17 high-profile garden designers who created gardens the Delta Centre.
The Circle of Life’s journey started when Elma Fenton was asked to create one of the sensory gardens in the Delta Centre in Carlow Town after her own Chelsea Flower Show Garden success.
The design challenge was to create all-inclusive space, fully accessible and engaging for people of all ages. Accessibility was achieved by the central, spiralling hoggin ramp, leading down toward the centre where one can rest accompanied by the sound of water coming from the Thistle fountain on the upper level.
Like any good sensory garden, ‘Circle of Life’ focuses on sound, touch, and visual stimulation. This was achieved in several ways.
Water Feature – The Thistle, is a stainless-steel sculpture that sprays the water around, becoming not only an audible and visual feast, but on rare hot summer days, a water play.
The wind rustling through the trees, shrubs and grasses, is a calming addition. Just sit in the centre of the Spiral and listen! In combination with water, it can be a very meditative experience.
The glass sculptures elevated above the garden’s floor by metal rods move in the wind just enough to reflect the sunlight and sparkle.
The central mirror sculpture, through its shape, reflects the surrounding world and its users, creating almost a kaleidoscopic image.
The ornamental grasses with their soft plumes induce to be caressed, and the various types of plants have leaves that are as beautiful to look at as they are tactile and fascinating to touch.
Water can be interacted with not only in the Thistle’s immediate vicinity but also all around the garden. When the wind blows the water around, it covers the entire garden in a fine mist that is refreshing and pleasant.
Various ground finishes, as well as timber retaining walls are a great way for one’s bare feet to explore different textures… and maybe get the feet wet a little!
The ‘Circle of Life’ garden works well with the neighbouring Sensory Centre, complementing the building’s contemporary form with its strong lines and minimalistic approach to the design. Bespoke wooden seating blocks are positioned for visitors to rest & contemplate the surrounds.
