In 1988 Philp’s father left this earth so Philip, his brother and his Mum joined forces and took on the role of running the family pub. It was there that his future in horticulture would unexpectedly blossom. As proud business owners, they would adorn the façade of the pub with hanging baskets and window boxes.
Thanks to the bounteous hanging planters that Philip and his mum so lovingly maintained, the pub won the much lauded “Tidy Towns Award '' for “Best Pub Front”.
Little did he know that this would be the seed that would later lead to a future in horticulture.
Image: Restoration of Powerscourt Italian Renaissance Garden, Philip Doyle.
As the seasons changed and Philip began to look beyond the family business. He was looking at the world around him and wanted something more.
Philip decided to pursue a degree in History and once completed, he went on to achieve a Master’s in International Relations.
His fascination in global conflict had been piqued and Philip found he was intrigued by the world of counter terrorism. Never a man to think small, he decided he was going to pursue a career in the CIA.
Fate, however, had other plans and one day, a most random accident would lead to 5 years of illness including Philip coming very close to losing his leg. With his international relations plans scuppered, Philip was back to the drawing board.
When faced with death and then given another chance, he asked himself, what was it that made him happy and what was he good at?
Image: Sistine Chapel-inspired sensory garden project, Philip Doyle.
Phil-osophy
Despite the fact that death has already knocked on Philip’s door, he does not fear it. This is a man who has danced with the Grim Reaper and survived.
During his lengthy recovery, Philip thought deeply about what it is he really wants. Eventually, he would look back to the family pub and uncover the thing that had brought him the most joy.
Philip enrolled in a level 4 Horticulture course in Park House Stillorgan, Dublin. He then went on to level 5 and 6 in CFE Dundrum and began some work placement.
He was fascinated with Horticulture, but he also found he was bursting with creative ideas and when he randomly entered a competition in the prestigious Bloom festival, and won, he knew he was on the right path.
Image: Sensory garden concept design maquette, Philip Doyle.
It was this that would lead Philip to the Garden Design Academy’s Postgraduate Diploma where he would develop his design skills and elevate his horticultural leanings to a whole new level.
Having spent so much time planting seeds, watching them grow, dead heading, weeding, and working with the seasons, it is then no surprise that Philip sees patterns and meaning in the world around him.
One of the garden designs that Philip submitted for Bloom was based on his pet dog. This dog arrived at the back door of his pub one day and for 14 years, he never left his side. He had no idea what breed he was and through research managed to identify him as a Catalan sheepdog.
Upon meeting a dog breeder, he was told unequivocally that this was not possible. He was told that “there are no Catalan sheepdogs in Ireland '', but when he showed his picture, alas a Catalan sheepdog he was.
Some years later Philip would meet a Texan man who had the same experience. A Catalan sheepdog had mysteriously arrived at his door and never left his Texan side. Guardian angel’s come in all shapes and sizes so who knows, perhaps a rare dog breed is not too hard to fathom.
Image: Bloom Festival Masterplan, Philip Doyle.
…with all his heart
Philip went on to earn a work placement, but it was no ordinary garden. Philip now works in the illustrious Powerscourt gardens which was awarded “third best garden in the world” by the prestigious National Geographic Magazine.
Image: Restoration of Powerscourt Herbaceous border, Philip Doyle.
But Philip is not dazzled by awards; he is more interested in tidying up the world’s longest herbaceous border or single-handedly raising over 1000 Beech trees so the Renaissance Garden’s Avenue could return to its former glory. Perhaps it is his forward planning attitude, or it could be a survival instinct, but when Philip sees something out of place, he doesn’t waste any time waiting for something to happen. He may have been placed in Powerscourt by CFE but Philip believes it was the GDAI that gave him the skills to earn his permanent position.
Image: Powerscourt Garden rennovations by Philip Doyle.
Cycle of life
Just as the head gardener and member of the Slazenger family was beginning to see Philip’s proactive approach as an asset, the grim reaper came knocking again and Philip was struck down with a cardiac arrest.
For any other man, this would have derailed any future garden endeavors, but not Philip. Since July 2022, he is back to Powerscourt Gardens.
Image: Bloom Postcard gardens by Philip Doyle.
Philip’s relaxed attitude to mortality is not merely because death has not managed to catch him just yet, but he spends his days nurturing the cycle of life. He knows with just a little care and attention, life will die, and life will grow, and nature will always be reborn.
Like a newly planted seed or the pollen on the breeze, Philip believes his father is waiting for him when death finally catches him, and for him, that’s what life is all about.
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