Funeral of RTÉ Super Garden winner who died days after making his ‘dream come true’ to take place on Saturday

Garden designer, John Dooley from Castledermot in Co Kildare won the top prize last week and displayed his winning garden at the Bloom festival over the weekend.

John sadly passed away suddenly on Wednesday June 5, after making his “dream come true” by winning the Super Garden competition and also getting to showcase his garden at the prestigious Bord Bia Bloom Garden Festival.

Tributes have poured in on RIP.ie for the talented garden designer who was a “ray of sunshine on Super Garden”.

“We had the pleasure of meeting John in his lovely garden at Bloom on Saturday, he was a true and most humble gentleman,” read one condolence message.

Another mourner said: “He only just achieved his life long dream to design a garden and he did it with such passion with Liz at his side all the way. A true gentleman he will be sadly missed”.

“The loss of such an inspirational man at a time of great joy in his life is difficult to comprehend,” added another mourner.

Today’s News in 90 seconds – 6th June 2024

John had always dreamed of entering Super Garden but never had the confidence to do it. In the end his wife Liz put his name forward for the competition without telling him.

“It’s more than a dream come true. I have dreamt about it, thought about it, I never would have had the courage to do it,” said John, speaking after his win last week.

“I am so thrilled with Liz, if she had said to me, ‘John I am going to put you forward for Super Garden’, I would say ‘no way’, I wouldn’t be up for it, I am glad she didn’t say it to me now that we are here. For both of us it is absolutely magical.”

John created a low-maintenance, sustainable and biodiverse garden for Daija and her daughters, Amanda and Amelia. John’s design accommodated Daija’s scoliosis and offered an easy-to-care-for space for the family to enjoy.

All elements of John’s winning garden, ‘Back to the Future’, will go to Castledermot National School in Kildare.

John’s remains will repose in Dunne’s Funeral Home on Mill Road in Castledermot, Co Kildare on Friday June 7 from 12 noon, concluding with rosary at 8pm.

On Saturday June 8 at 11.30am, his remains will be removed to The Church of the Assumption in Castledermot for his funeral mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in Coltstown Cemetery.

Any donations can be made to The Irish Heart Foundation.

He is survived by his loving wife Liz, brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.