A key part of the local Summer ritual here is the wonderful Lavender Harvest Sale run by our great friends, neighbours (and indeed, they’re family too) at Fragrances of Ireland. It’s happening right next door to us here in Kilmacanogue for five consecutive weekends, starting Sat., 28 June.

The festival celebrates their own lavender harvest from across the N11 on the slopes of the Little Sugarloaf and the amazing gift from nature that is pure, golden lavender oil. They use lavender oil to produce their own LAVÓ range including lavender cologne, handmade soaps in rainbow hues, hand cream and bath salts as well as fine-blended pure lavender oil and lots of other goodies, including scented bags filled with dried lavender flowers.

You’ll find a Vintage section too, with gorgeous embroidered table clothes, damask napkins and towels, as well as vintage china tea sets, glassware, kitchenalia and curiosities collected from across Ireland, England and the US. 

The Lavender Festival is on next door for five weekends in June and July from 10am to 5pm:

• Sat & Sun, 28 & 29 June
• Sat & Sun, 5 & 6 July
• Sat & Sun, 12 & 13 July
• Sat & Sun, 19 & 20 July
• Sat & Sun, 26 & 27 July