Gavin, at the tender age of six, experienced a heart-wrenching tragedy when his younger brother, Conor, was struck by a car while they were crossing the road to school. This devastating event cast a dark shadow over Gavin’s family for a staggering 15 years, leaving no room for joy in their home. Even today, Gavin vividly recalls every detail of that fateful day.
While Gavin didn’t actually witness the accident as he was boarding the bus, he remembers everything that preceded and followed it. The memories of being with the police, going to a neighbor’s house in a police car, and his father’s overwhelming devastation remain etched in his mind. To compound the pain, Gavin’s parents initially received the news that he was the one involved in the accident, only to be devastated anew upon learning that it was his beloved brother Conor. The presence of the nuns further adds to the weight of this sorrowful recollection.
Gavin explains that grief has a way of unexpectedly overwhelming a person. It arrives in waves, catching you off guard at the most unexpected times. All you can do is surrender to it and allow it to run its course. Undoubtedly, this tragedy has had a profound impact on Gavin’s life. Reflecting on the change it brought upon him, he admits he prefers not to delve too deeply into it.
In a recent interview, Gavin garnered widespread acclaim for his whimsical creation, a garden in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, which he dedicated to celebrating the coronation of King Charles III. Since its opening in May, this enchanting haven has attracted over 100,000 visitors, establishing itself as a resounding success. Gavin attributes this triumph to his unwavering dedication to his craft, even if it meant spending only a few fleeting days at his own home in the past six months.
Gavin reveals that a new opportunity to create the world’s first botanic garden without walls, commissioned by the local council, may necessitate his more permanent relocation. He currently splits his time between this project location and his home in Co Wicklow. Although the arrangement is challenging, he acknowledges the invaluable contribution of his extraordinary wife. She works alongside him in the business and possesses a comprehensive understanding of his endeavors. Gavin recognizes that, without her, he would be nothing.
His work often leaves him feeling isolated during his stays in the North. The rented house he resides in feels devoid of life, serving solely as a place to sleep and take a warm shower. Gavin’s initial reaction upon stepping inside was a profound sense of displacement. Sleep eludes him, and he constantly feels exhausted due to his rigorous schedule, starting work at 6 am and finishing as late as 11 or 12 pm. The bare fridge and reliance on a glass of wine to induce sleep until the early hours of the morning further underscore the challenging nature of this lifestyle. Gavin admits that it is far from an ideal existence.
Gavin acknowledges that his work is more than a mere commitment; it is an obsession. He firmly believes that dedication is requisite for achieving excellence in his field. Furthermore, he expresses sympathy for his dear friend and former agent, Noel Kelly, who has found himself at the center of the ongoing scandal surrounding RTÉ. While they ended their professional relationship in recent years, Gavin emphasizes that they remain close friends. When news broke concerning Ryan Tubridy, Gavin was quick to reach out and offer his support during this tough time. The human aspect of the situation is not lost on Gavin, as he understands the weight that accountability carries.
As for Gavin’s future endeavors, he tantalizingly hints at a project that will surpass even the controversy surrounding his renowned Sky Garden, which earned a gold medal at Chelsea in 2011 before drawing criticism for its cost, despite being backed by Fáilte Ireland. His new vision involves creating a “dystopian” and “vertical garden” that will challenge the expectations of a weary, technologically saturated world. Gavin aims to captivate visitors with this audacious endeavor, leaving them questioning his motivations and purpose behind such a thought-provoking masterpiece.
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