The Archibald Knox Garden
Archibald Knox (1864-1933) is synonymous with the British Art Nouveau/Celtic silverware of Liberty of London. He also founded the League of St Germain in 1896 which sought the ‘recovery of the religious houses on St Patrick’s Isle’ proclaiming himself ‘Prior’. Knox’s only tangible contribution to the project is a silver alms dish and Lavabo dish and jug. They were the last pieces made before his death and are housed in the Cathedral Treasury.
The sunken garden is typical of Arts and Crafts gardens of the early 20th century. The garden pays homage to Knox and local architect Mackay Hugh Baillie-Scott as well as reflecting the influence of the more well-known architect and garden partnership of Edwin Lutyens and Gertude Jekyll.
The garden uses a hot colour scheme (yellow, orange and red) of herbaceous plants and has a strong architectural structure built by people from Jurby prison.
The artwork at the approach of the garden represents unearthed treasure and is by Pete Yarwood, echoing the gems to be discovered on the Island relating to this period. The benches are those designed by Lutyens. We plan to commission jardinières based on a design by Knox.
Today
Knox’s dream of a restored Cathedral and monastic community, anticipates the later ministry of George Macleod with the restoration of Iona Abbey in 1938 and the founding of the ecumenical Iona community.