RTÉ Super Garden winner dies suddenly only days after making ‘dream come true’

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 today, 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.

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.

“Deeply regretted by his loving wife Liz, brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends,” read his death notice on RIP.ie.

John’s funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.