About
The artists, gardeners, and hands that shape Ardea
Our Story
A Living Artistic Landscape
Ardea Gardens is curated by opera and theatre director Daniel Kramer and sculptor and educator Paul Connelly, and stewarded by Head Gardener Brendan Grant and Associate Gardener Jacob Hayes. Together, they compose a landscape that exists at the intersection of art and nature.
Paul Connelly
Sculptor & Educator
A sculptor and educator whose work explores the intersection of craft, material, and place. Paul's approach to the garden is architectural — shaping space, light, and texture. His seasonal tasting dining brings the garden to the table.
Daniel Kramer
Opera & Theatre Director
An internationally acclaimed director of opera and theatre, Daniel brings a dramatist's eye to landscape. His compositions at Ardea unfold like scenes — each garden a stage, each pathway a narrative arc. His personal flower garden is a masterclass in colour and timing.
Brendan Grant
Head Gardener
Brendan brings decades of horticultural knowledge and a deep understanding of Kerry's climate and soil. Under his stewardship, the gardens thrive through every season — from the rainforest canopy to the most delicate alpine.
Jacob Hayes
Associate Gardener
Jacob brings a fine eye for detail and plays a major role in the day to day operations and maintenance at Ardea. Jacob has an extensive knowledge in horticulture and landscaping. He started his career at Sheen Falls Lodge, where he gathered experience in almost every element of gardening, even starting the hotel’s first Microgreen farm for the restaurant and brasserie.