Festina Lente is an embracing Non-profit Organisation who provides a range of training, occupational, learning and employment opportunities for people whose needs are not being met in mainstream services. Festina Lente was founded in 1988 by Mary Rachel Brophy as her aim was, and still is, to support the social and economic inclusion of those most at risk. All of our activities encourage individual choice, personal development, achievement and progression.
We are based in Old Connaught Avenue in Bray, using the former grounds of Old Connaught House, an estate which was in the Plunket Family since 1807 when it was leased to the Hon. William Conyngham Plunket (1764 – 1854), who became the first Baron Plunket of Newtown, Co. Cork in 1927. His lease of the grounds as well as his title as Baron stayed within the family until the 1940’s, when it was then sold by the then 7th Baron Plunket Patrick Terrence Conyngham Plunket (1923 – 1975). ‘Festina Lente’ is Latin for ‘Hasten Slowly’ – the Plunket family motto and one which we adopted in 1995 as we believe that it relays our culture perfectly.
We have wonderful facilities here in our riding school, which serves as both a working and learning environment to hundreds of people every year. Our reputation is a strong one as we are proud of our excellent coaching for people of all ages and abilities, where students learn about both riding and stable management. All lessons are designed to improve the rider’s ability and are designed specifically for that person to suit their riding ability as well as their personal goals.
We focus on the inclusion of children and young people with special needs through therapeutic riding and a place to have fun! We have been running our therapeutic riding lessons for over 5 years now, as we accept students with a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental disabilities. Our newly developed Sensory trail has also gotten great use as a therapeutic tool. We are continuously striving to improve and introduce new courses, learning and support methods for those who need it most.
On our grounds we also have a 2.5 acre beautifully restored walled garden. The gardens were part of the Plunket estate and had been developed throughout their ownership, with each Baron Plunket making changes to the gardens which led to the addition of the kitchen garden, a large greenhouse, and a pool garden as well as various other changes. Today the gardens have an Ornamental Garden, a Pool Garden and a Kitchen Garden. The Ornamental garden has a beautiful fountain, various flower beds and borders, statues as well as various other original features. The Pool Garden has two large square pools and is the home to our terrapins and goldfish. Our Kitchen Garden has a beautiful herbaceous border, our working kitchen garden where we grow fruit and vegetables and our allotments.
The garden is also home to our garden shop where we stock a variety of seeds and plants, as well as various crafts and foods. We very much promote Irish goods and we work at the highest standards in our shop as we only stock the best of plants. We are always willing to give tips and advice to customers who are looking for direction while developing their garden, as we are proud of our very personal approach as it is rare in most industries these days.
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Contact Us |
Festina Lente
Old Connaught Avenue,
Bray,
Co. Wicklow.
(Office Hrs. 8:30 – 5:00 Mon – Fri)
Main Phone Number:(01)-2720704 / 6
Maps and directions:
Buses that stop on the Dublin Road, Bray (Old Connaught) are the: 45, 45A, 84, & 145
When you get of your bus walk to the Old Connaught Road corner at the traffic rights turn right and walk that road for around 10-20mins (the time will vary with each individual) and turn in right at the sign for Festina Lente outside the lane.
