WATCH: County Roscommon memorial garden a living archive of county’s past and present
Michael Gilligan has spent many years developing his unique memorial garden in Fairymount. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Tucked into the rolling countryside of Mullaghnashee, Fairymount lies a space that is quietly becoming one of Roscommon’s most distinctive community assets. (Click on the link below to take a look around)
Fairymount Memorial Garden is more than a place of trees and pathways; it is a living archive of local history, remembrance and resilience, created through the dedication of one man and now poised to become a shared legacy for generations to come.
The vision and labour behind the garden belongs to Michael Gilligan, a retired mental health nurse and former landscaper, who began work on the site more than 20 years ago after purchasing the original half-acre plot. What started as a personal project, rooted in a love of gardening and reflection, has evolved into a contemplative public space that draws visitors from near and far.
Michael, who lives in Roscommon Town, makes the 26-mile round trip to Fairymount to tend the garden. He spends at least 20 hours a week pruning, planting and weeding, particularly during the busy spring season when the garden comes into its own.
“I believe in building something and then the people will come,” he said. “Everybody gets something different out of it.” At its heart, Fairymount Memorial Garden is a place of remembrance. Trees planted throughout the garden commemorate loved ones from across Ireland and beyond, each marked with a plaque and a story. Michael can recount the background to every dedication, whether it marks a birthday, a life lost, or a connection to home.
One such story tells of a woman who spent many years living in England but maintained a deep affection for her native place. A tree was planted in her honour, and a photograph of her visiting it was later included in her funeral Mass booklet. It is just one example of how the garden has woven itself into the personal histories of families and communities.
Benches and seating areas throughout the space also carry deep meaning. One seat is dedicated to Michael’s parents, John Joe and Evelyn Gilligan, while another remembers his nephew, Conor Gilligan, who died tragically in 2009. Elsewhere, a tree commemorates Andy Creaton, fondly known locally as “The King of the Hill”, whose passing was widely mourned in the Fairymount area.
The garden’s plaques reflect a broad sweep of Irish history, viewed through a distinctly Roscommon lens. From the Great Famine to the 1916 Rising, from the swinging sixties to the Covid-19 pandemic, the site captures moments of collective loss, pride and endurance. A famine memorial, modelled on the statue outside Roscommon’s Sacred Heart Hospital, stands alongside a slate-clad “Patriots' Plaque” listing men and women who fought for Irish freedom.
Michael’s interest in sport and community life is also evident, while unsung heroes, including frontline healthcare workers, are acknowledged throughout the garden.
One corner features a commemorative slane or sláin, recognising the tradition of turf cutting, while another houses a “Giant’s Stone”, said in local folklore to have been hurled from Sligo to Fairymount. Time capsules add another layer of historical depth: one dates back to 1936 and contains material from local schoolchildren, while a newer capsule documents young people’s experiences during lockdown.
The garden also includes a tranquil pond, providing a sanctuary for wildlife and a calming water feature for visitors. Many remark on the sense of peace and the “healing power of nature” they experience while walking the pathways or sitting quietly among the trees.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the garden proved especially valuable, offering families a safe, open-air space to meet while observing social distancing. Locals and tourists alike continue to visit, drawn by both the beauty of the surroundings and the stories embedded within them.
Looking to the future, Michael has ambitious plans to expand the garden from its current half-acre footprint to approximately two and a half acres. Proposed developments include additional walkways, a children’s play area and improved parking facilities, all designed with biodiversity and native planting firmly in mind.
Crucially, he has announced his intention to formally hand the garden over to the community. A committee has already been established, with further volunteers welcomed, and plans are under way to vest ownership in the parish encompassing Fairymount, Frenchpark, Tibohine and Ballinagare.
“We need boots on the ground,” Michael said. “I would like, in time, that when I’m gone, the community would take an interest in what I have here.” Putting the garden on a formal legal footing, he believes, will open the door to funding opportunities and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Support has already been expressed at county level. Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Liam Callaghan, who recently visited the garden, described it as “a great focal point for the local community”.
“If Michael can get the community involved and it is community-led, it would be a great opportunity to develop this garden into a tourist attraction here in Fairymount,” he said. “Roscommon County Council will give Michael every support possible for this venture.” Fairymount Memorial Garden is open to the public free of charge at all times and is located at Eircode F45 E288.
Visitors are encouraged to sign the visitor book, while those who wish to contribute to the upkeep of the garden can do so through an online donation page.
* Click on the link below to take a look around the garden and listen to Michael explain its deep significance.
