机构概况
爱尔兰皇家园艺协会（Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland，简称RHSI）成立于1816年9月30日，是爱尔兰历史最悠久的园艺慈善机构。协会总部位于都柏林市郊Marlay Park内的Laurelmere Cottage，邮编D16 H9T4。爱尔兰皇家园艺协会登记注册号为CHY4598，在爱尔兰园艺界享有崇高声誉，致力于推动爱尔兰园艺事业的发展与普及。
1816年9月30日，协会在都柏林Donnybrook的玫瑰酒馆（Rose Tavern）召开成立大会，查勒蒙特伯爵（Earl of Charlemont）担任赞助人弗朗西斯·赫瑟林顿（Francis Hetherington）当选为首任主席。协会最初名为”爱尔兰园艺协会”，于1848年正式获得皇家称号，更名为”爱尔兰皇家园艺协会”。
历史沿革
协会成立之初，便在1817年复活节周一举办了首届花展，同年8月18日又举办了花卉与水果展。此后虽一度衰落，但于1830年重建委员会后重新焕发活力。在2016年，协会隆重庆祝了其成立200周年，彰显了其两个世纪以来对爱尔兰园艺事业的坚守与贡献。
协会会员涵盖专业园艺师和业余园艺爱好者两大群体。现任会长为Peter Harrison。协会一贯秉持浓厚的教育理念，冬季邀请知名讲师举办讲座，春季和夏季在Russborough举办实务工作坊。
合作伙伴花园计划
协会推行的合作伙伴花园计划（RHSI Partner Garden Scheme）是其核心项目之一，目前覆盖爱尔兰全岛超过50座花园。合作伙伴花园为协会会员提供免费或半价入园优惠，是协会凝聚会员的重要纽带。这些花园规模各异、风格多样，充分展现了爱尔兰园艺的多样性与丰富性。
会员活动与服务
协会为会员提供丰富多彩的活动与服务，包括：爱尔兰及海外花园参观旅行、Zoom在线讲座、直播课程、研讨会、植物展销会、花展、演示活动及展览等。协会还出版《RHSI期刊》，内容针对爱尔兰气候条件编写，为会员提供因地制宜的园艺指导。
协会每年组织多次会员花园之旅，目的地包括英格兰Wiltshire（每年6月）和法国卢瓦尔河谷（每年9月）等。协会创始人Mr. Robert Myerscough表示，协会成员对私人花园向公众开放的做法深表感激，多年来协会会员已参观过众多卓越的私人花园。
资金状况与未来
作为注册慈善机构，协会的运营资金主要来源于会员会费和捐赠。2024年6月，协会投票决定保留”Royal”（皇家）称号，此前协会曾就是否保留该称号进行讨论。协会表示将继续作为爱尔兰园艺界的领军慈善机构，为专业和业余园艺师提供支持与服务。
官方网站：https://rhsi.ie
Overview
The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI), founded on 30 September 1816, is Ireland’s leading gardening charity. Headquartered at Laurelmere Cottage, Marlay Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 (D16 H9T4), the society is registered as Charity CHY4598 and holds a prestigious position in Ireland’s horticultural community, dedicated to advancing and popularizing horticulture across Ireland.
The inaugural meeting took place at the Rose Tavern in Donnybrook, Dublin, with Francis Caulfeild, 2nd Earl of Charlemont, as patron and Francis Hetherington as its first chairman. Originally established as the Horticultural Society of Ireland, the society was renamed the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland in 1848. The society held its first flower show on Easter Monday 1817.
History
After an initial period of activity including flower shows in 1817, the society experienced a decline before being re-established with a new committee in 1830. The society celebrated its bicentenary in 2016, marking 200 years of commitment to Irish horticulture. Its membership comprises both professional and amateur gardeners, with Peter Harrison currently serving as President.
The society has maintained a strong educational ethos throughout its history, hosting visiting lecturers during winter seasons and practical workshops at Russborough during spring and summer months.
Partner Garden Scheme
The RHSI Partner Garden Scheme is one of the society’s flagship programs, featuring over 50 gardens across the island of Ireland. Partner gardens offer society members free or reduced-price entry, making membership particularly valuable for gardening enthusiasts who enjoy visiting diverse gardens throughout Ireland.
Activities and Services
The society provides a comprehensive range of activities and services for its members, including garden tours within Ireland and overseas, Zoom talks, lectures, workshops, plant sales, flower shows, demonstrations, and exhibitions. The society publishes the RHSI Journal, filled with information tailored specifically to Ireland’s climate conditions.
Annual member garden tours have visited destinations including Wiltshire in June and the Loire Valley in September. The society’s president has expressed gratitude to the approximately 30 private garden owners who open their gardens to society members, enabling members to visit extraordinary gardens over the years.
Governance and Future
As a registered charity, the society’s operations are funded primarily through membership fees and donations. In June 2024, the society voted to retain the “Royal” designation in its name, following prior discussions about potentially removing it. The society remains committed to serving as Ireland’s leading gardening charity, supporting both professional and hobby gardeners alike.
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