THE death has occurred in Killarney of Bill Carson, a legend in horticultural circles who was the head gardener in Muckross House and Gardens for close on 40 years.
Up to the time of his retirement in 2000, he was the man responsible for ensuring that the tourist facility was looking picture postcard perfect down through the years and he was the chief designer of the immaculately groomed estate that is enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Bill also masterminded the addition of the attractive arboretum and the specimens of trees, shrubs, plants and flowers that flourish there but he never considered it as work – it was a real labour of love for the softly spoken expert.
He trained in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin and he later spent a number of years at a fruit research centre in Kent where he learned how to grow the best apples, pears, peaches and other fruits.
On his return to Ireland in the early 1960s, he attended an interview at Muckross House, he was offered the job and he spent 40 very happy years there.
“I had wonderful colleagues at Muckross and it was a fabulous place in which to work. There could hardly be a better setting with more than 50 acres of parkland with lakes and mountains. The scenery is special,” he once said in an interview.
Predeceased by his wife, Georgina, he is survived by his sister Elizabeth, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand niece, other relatives and many good friends.
A funeral service will take place in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney this Tuesday at 2.30pm with burial afterwards in Killegy Cemetery.
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