RHSI honours Brian Duncan with Gold Medal for outstanding contribution to horticulture

Daffodil breeder Brian Duncan has been awarded the RHSI Gold Medal of Honour in recognition of a lifetime of horticultural achievements

Horticulture

Read More: Brian Duncan RHSI

30 April 2025

The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI) has announced that the RHSI Gold Medal of Honour has been awarded to Brian Duncan, in recognition of his exceptional and enduring contribution to horticulture.

Brian, accompanied by his wife Betty, travelled from their home in Omagh to attend a small, heartfelt ceremony at the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh. Surrounded by friends and RHSI members, the gathering included words of tribute from Seamus O’Brien, head Gardener at Kilmacurragh, and the formal presentation of the medal by RHSI President Peter Harrison.

Brian Duncan belongs to a distinguished lineage of Irish daffodil breeders that dates back to the mid-nineteenth century—names such as William Taylor Hartland, J Lionel Richardson, Guy Wilson, and W J Dunlop, each of whom contributed significantly to the development of Narcissus cultivars. However, none have done so at the scale achieved by Brian.

Since naming his first daffodil, Narcissus ‘Premiere’, in 1961, he has gone on to register more than 940 cultivars, an extraordinary accomplishment that secures his legacy among Ireland’s greatest horticultural figures.

A familiar face at horticultural shows in Ireland, the UK, and the United States, Brian has received accolades from the American Daffodil Society, numerous awards from the Royal Horticultural Society, and was previously recognised with an MBE for his services to horticulture.

The RHSI Gold Medal of Honour is a fitting tribute to a lifetime of dedication, passion, and excellence.

Brian’s achievements have been shared every step of the way with his wife Betty, whose quiet partnership and tireless support have been integral to his success.

The RHSI was proud to celebrate them both in Kilmacurragh, and to recognise their lasting impact on Irish horticulture.

Read More: Brian Duncan RHSI

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