Gardens Open 2020

Whether you are an avid gardener looking for inspiration or planning for a family day out or simply in search of a tranquil place to unwind, opportunities for garden visiting have never been more 2020 Opening Times welcome than right now. From large historic gardens to family favourites to hidden gems, we list over Before visiting, please check with each garden and OPW site 90 gardens across Ireland open to visitors. The Irish Garden magazine and Garden.ie encourage you directly as times and days may to support our Irish gardens open this year and hope you enjoy the experience. change due to Covid-19.

County Carlow | County Cork

COUNTY CARLOW Huntington Castle Gardens Altamont Gardens Clonegal, Co. Carlow Tullow, Co. Carlow CGT: 17th century layout with R93 N882 original lime avenue planted in OPW, CGT: Large, beautiful, old 1680, yew walk and parterre. New world garden, Robinsonian in additional plantings completed in style with a strong emphasis 2014, tree trail featuring numerous on the informal tradition of rare and national champions. combining a good plant collection plus children’s adventure area. within the natural landscape Huntington Castle Restored lake and 17th century of its environment. Lawns and fishpond. Refurbished tearoom Blarney Castle clipped yews slope down to a lake Arboretum Inspirational and gift shop. House tours also surrounded by rare trees, shrubs Gardens available. Ballymaloe Cookery and a profusion of roses, both old Kilkenny Road, Leighlinbridge, Wheelchair access: Partial. School Gardens and modern, with herbaceous Co. Carlow (Garden Only). Shanagarry, Midleton, Co. Cork plants scent the air. There is a CGT: Arboretum Home and Garden 053 9377160 ROC: Organic gardens, vegetables, steep descent through the “Ice Heaven has created exclusive [email protected] herbs, fruit, old orchard, maze, Age Glen” to a beautiful river walk. display gardens to inspire visitors www.huntingtoncastle.com shell house and a recently opened Admission Free. to imagine and create their own up a farm walk past pigs, cows, 059 915 9444 garden dream. These gardens COUNTY CORK vegetable patch and extensive [email protected] are designed to display different glasshouse. www.heritageireland.ie planting schemes and solutions, Wheelchair access: Some offering endless ideas that can be Agharinagh Gardens small steps. Altamont Walled Garden easily recreated in visitors own at Griffins 021 4646785 Agharinagh, Dripsey, [email protected] e Bunclody Road, Ballon gardens. Co. Cork www.cookingisfun.ie (exit from the N80 motorway), Wheelchair access: Yes. Co. Carlow 059 9721558. Truly a world of secret gardens, [email protected] each designed by Margaret and GoIT: An unmissable highlight of a Blarney Castle Gardens www.arboretum.ie the Griffins staff. Don’t forget to visit to Altamont Gardens situated Blarney Castle, Blarney, Co. Cork look up and see the amazing new within the grounds of the estate tree house. Complete with rope GoIT, WCGT, RHSI: Blarney Castle and run privately by the gardener Delta Sensory Gardens bridge leading to another smaller is primarily famous for ‘the Blarney and nurseryman Robert Miller. Carlow, Co. Carlow R93 Y959 tree house, it was designed and Stone’ but equally worth exploring The area consists primarily of the CGT: Sixteen interconnecting constructed by Ollie O’Flaherty. are the beautiful grounds around Corona North Commemorative gardens of a multi-sensory nature Afternoon Tea in the adjacent the Castle and Blarney House. Border, rare Plant Sales, Café and covering 2.5 acres, combining a scenic restaurant is also a must on This includes acres of parkland, School of Horticulture. therapeutic focus with a tourist a visit, a wonderful day out just 20 gardens, avenues, arboretums and Wheelchair access: Partial. facility. Water and woodland minutes from Cork City. waterways. A great family day out! 087 982 2135 garden, sculpture garden. Wheelchair access: Yes. Wheelchair access: Partial (not [email protected] to castle). Wheelchair access: Yes. 021 7334286 www.altamontplants.com 021 4385252 Mr Frank O’Grady 059 9143527 [email protected] [email protected] www.griffinsgardencentre.ie [email protected] www.deltasensorygardens.com www.blarneycastle.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 1 County Cork cont. | County Donegal

Fernhill House and Garden Oakfield Park Clonakilty, Co. Cork P85 X322 Oakfield Demesne, Raphoe, WCGT: Fernhill House is a historic Co. Donegal F93 XY1R country house set on acres of DGT, RHSI: Oakfield House which landscaped gardens for you to dates back to 1739 has beautiful wander and explore. The house walled gardens with deep flower has a rich history and overlooks Fernhill beds, a kitchen garden, flower the countryside where Michael meadows, ponds, streams, Collins was born. We would be wetlands, a parterre, a castle, a delighted to welcome you to classical lakeside Nymphaeum, Fernhill to discover our gardens garden sculptures, heritage listed for yourself. trees and a newly established Wheelchair access: Yes. international collection of oaks. 023 8833258 The gardens can be explored by [email protected] Oakfield Park train. Tea room opens when the Coosheen www.fernhillhousehotel.com gardens are open. Children’s slide COUNTY DONEGAL and swings, picnic benches and Fota Arboretum W.C. provided for visitors. Coosheen Wheelchair access: Partial. and Gardens Glebe House and 15 Johnstown Park, David Fisher 074 9173068 Glounthaune, Co. Cork Mimosa House, Fota Estate, Gallery [email protected] T45 CC42 Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork Gartan, Church Hill, www.oakfieldpark.com GoIT: Plantperson’s garden, design T45 K656 Letterkenny, ideas for small garden, unique OPW, ROC: Located in Cork Co. Donegal F92 WP70 Salthill Garden collection of plants. A growing harbour, Fota Arboretum Gardens WCGT, OPW: An artist’s haven in Salthill, Mountcharles, collection of snowdrops and many of contain some of the finest the Donegal hills, Glebe House Co. Donegal them for sale along with spring bulbs. examples of rare and tender trees and Gardens is the former home Small nursery, rare and unusual and shrubs grown outdoors in of art collector and artist Derek DGT, GoIT: Salthill is described as plants for sale. Toilets and coach/ Ireland. Extending over 11 hectares Hill. Set on a hillside sloping “The .5 hectare enclosure has the car parking available. Teas and other it includes an Orangery, water down to Lough Gartan with delightful feeling of privacy and refreshments upon request. features and extensive walled the Derryveagh Mountains and mystery that is particular to old Mrs Hester Forde 021 4353855 gardens containing a variety of Glenveagh National Park as a walled gardens”. So, come and /086 8654972 planting themes. backdrop. Notable features are witness the “great gatherings of [email protected] Wheelchair access: Yes. the rhododendrons and relaxed herbaceous plants amid mature www.hesterfordegarden.com 021 4812728 herbaceous beds. shrubs and noteworthy trees”. Wheelchair access: Partial. [email protected] Wheelchair access: Partial. Mrs Elizabeth Temple www.heritageireland.ie/ 074 9137071 Doneraile Estate 087 7988078 [email protected] Doneraile, Co. Cork www.glebegallery.ie [email protected] P51 XR66 Ilnacullin OPW: Doneraile Court was the Garinish Island, home of the St Leger family Glengarriff, from 1637 to 1969 and is now Co. Cork managed by the OPW. The house OPW, WCGT: Perhaps the most is set in the magnificent 18th magical setting a garden could century Capability Brown style have is to be on an island landscape. The estate has many bathed in the warm waters specimen trees: oak, beech, of the Gulf Stream. This small Spanish chestnut and lime. The island of 15 hectares is known to River Awbeg flows through the horticulturists all over the world estate creating a great aesthetic as an island garden of rare beauty, to the setting. A walk through this a wild garden blending into the historic place offers a chance to wider setting of the exceptional view red, sika and fallow deer in sea and mountain scenery around the parkland. Glengarriff. 022 24771 Wheelchair access: Partial. [email protected] 027 63040 www.doneraileestate.ie [email protected] www.heritageireland.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 2 Ardgillan Castle, Gardens & Demesne Ballbriggan, Co. Dublin Exit 5 or 6 o M1. Open all year. OPEN, Admission Free

194 acre park, 6 acres of gardens including rose garden national collection of Potentilla, herbaceous border, a walled garden containing an extensive collection of The Secret Jewel In The Heart Of Donegal herbs, fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. Open on June 10th for the summer again and all being well will be Open until the normal close at the end of Sep- Tea Rooms Castle Tours and Playground subject to Covid19 tember. 5 days a week initially – Wed to Sun 11am to 6pm. restrictions. Wild ﬂ ower meadow Fairy tree trail - www.ardgillancastle.ie Tel: 00353 (0) 749173068 | email: [email protected] Tel: 01 8492212 • Email: eventardgillan@ﬁ ngal.ie www.oakfieldpark.com

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 3 County Down | County Dublin

are not permitted. Garden tours in Áras an Uachtaráin summer months only. Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin D08 PF25 01 6770095 OPW: The grounds of Áras an [email protected] Uachtaráin, the residence of the www.president.ie President of Ireland, have always been one of its chief glories. The Arbour Hill Cemetery main formal garden or parterre Arbour Hill. Co. Dublin Mount Stewart was laid out by Decimus Burton Ardgillan Castle around 1838 and later additions OPW: Collection of trees and COUNTY DOWN were made by Ninian Niven. bedding schemes. made at his home studio and Many original Victorian features 01 8213021 some of which are on sale. www.heritageireland.ie Mount Stewart House, can be seen, including a walled See: www.HowthCeramics.com Gardens & Temple garden and ornamental lake. The Wheelchair access: Partial. Richard Turner designed linear Ardán Conall O’Caoimh and of the Winds glass house, known as the Peach Ardán, Windgate Road, Howth, Nuala Doherty 087 9724271 Portaferry Road, Newtownards, House has won several awards Co. Dublin D13 K718 [email protected] Co. Down BT22 2AD since its 2009 restoration. The www.dublingardens.com DGTrail, HSHS: Multi-themed Ulster gardens scheme, NatT, RHSI: fruit and vegetable gardens are spaces: herbaceous borders, Pleasure grounds with woodlands certified organic and home to bees rose garden, water garden, rock Ardgillan Castle & Demesne around a 5 acre lake complemented producing award winning honey. outcrop, woodland garden and Balbriggan, Co. Dublin by formal gardens in rooms around Free admission tickets are issued vegetable area. All situated on the mansion house. Stunning, at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre 195 acres of parkland, rose garden, 0.5 acres on three south-facing large and diverse plant collection ONLY on Saturdays, on a first- wildflower meadow, walled terraces with winding paths. from all around the world. come, first-served basis. Group Victorian gardens, playground, The garden includes ceramic Wheelchair access: Yes. visits and/or advance bookings castle. sculptures by Conall O’Caoimh 048/028 42788387 Wheelchair access: Partial. [email protected] 01 8492212 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ [email protected] mount-stewart/ www.ardgillancastle.ie

The Barn Gallery and Dublin Castle – Rose Gardens Dubh Linn Gardens 49 Rossglass Road South, Dublin Castle, Dame St, Co. Dublin Rossglass, Killough, Downpatrick, OPW: Laid out to the rear of the Co. Down BT30 7RA Dublin Castle, the Dubh Linn GoIT: A rose garden of 100 gardens are located directly on varieties (over 200 roses). Eco/ the site of the Black Pool, which wildflower trail to hill top views gave Dublin its name. Beyond across Dundrum Bay to the a ‘four seasons’ garden are four Mournes. Artists studio and gallery. smaller gardens at each corner of Wheelchair access: Yes. the site. Planted with shady trees 048/028 44 842 082/ and shrubs and filled with heady 0044 78 74059030 scents of flowers, the gardens THE DUBLIN GARDEN TRAIL represent a restful place in the IS SAFE, OPEN AND BEAUTIFUL heart of Dublin city. COUNTY DUBLIN 01 645 8813 Explore the 10 most celebrated private gardens [email protected] Airfield Gardens in the greater Dublin region. www.dublincastle.ie Overend Way, Dundrum, The owners are garden-lovers and expert plants people Co. Dublin who have created and care for these beautiful spaces. Grangegorman GoIT, RHSI: Contemporary Garden visiting is an enjoyable day out. Each garden has Military Cemetery planting in Victorian setting. 35 taken measures to ensure safety and social distancing. Blackhorse Avenue, Co. Dublin acre farm and garden estate. Shop OPW: Collection of trees and and plant sales, restaurant. Details of the gardens and opening times at herbaceous borders. Wheelchair access: Partial. 01 8213021 01 969 6666 www.dublingardens.com www.opwdublincommemorative. [email protected] A warm welcome awaits you. ie/grangegorman/ www.airfield.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 4 County Dublin cont.

Farmleigh House Iveagh Gardens National Botanic Phoenix Park, Castleknock, Clonmel Street, Gardens Co. Dublin Co. Dublin Glasnevin, Co. Dublin D09 VY63 OPW: Situated adjacent to OPW: Designed by Ninian Niven OPW: Located just three the Phoenix Park on 78 acres, in 1865, but with a history dating kilometres from Dublin City Centre, Farmleigh Estate’s gardens back over three hundred years, the National Botanic Gardens are boast Victorian and Edwardian the Iveagh Gardens are located an oasis of calm and beauty, and features. There are many walks close to St Stephen’s Green Park entry is free. A premier scientific and extensive woodlands, with in Dublin’s city centre. From institution, the gardens also magnolia, cherry blossom and modest beginnings as an earl’s contain the National Herbarium mature specimen trees. The lawn, the gardens went on to and several historic wrought iron Walled Garden has a Victorian host the splendour of the Dublin glasshouses. The National Botanic glasshouse and a stone temple, Exhibition Palace in 1865. Many of Gardens are noted for a fine plant which lies within a path of the original landscape features are collection holding over 15,000 Garden, as well as the growing of climbing roses and wisteria. still in place, or have been restored plant species and cultivars from a fruit, vegetables and flowers, with A paved rose garden to the and conserved since 1995. variety of habitats from all around colourful summer displays such northeast looks across to the small These include the yew maze, the the world. The Gardens are also as sweet pea, chrysanthemums, orchard and potager. rosarium, and the fountains. The famous for the exquisitely restored lupins and campanula (bellflower) Sometimes Farmleigh may be cascade in particular is a stunning and planted glasshouses, notably along with a wide range of fruit closed to the public if required for spectacle in summer. Iveagh the Turner Curvilinear Range and and vegetables. government business. Gardens are popularly known as the Great Palm Houss. Wheelchair access: Yes. Wheelchair access: Yes. Dublin’s ‘Secret Garden. Wheelchair access: Yes. 01 8213021 01 8155900 01 4757816 01 8570909 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phoenixpark.ie www.farmleigh.ie www.iveaghgardens.ie www.botanicgardens.ie Phoenix Park Garden of Knockrose Phoenix Park Victorian People’s Remembrance Enniskerry Road, Victorian Kitchen Flower Garden Parnell Square East, Co. Dublin The Scalp, Kilternan, Walled Garden Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, D08 KDC4 Co. Dublin D18 Y280 OPW: This beautiful garden in the Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin D08 KDC4 OPW: These gardens comprising heart of the city was designed by DGTrail, GoIT: Olde-world, OPW: A two and a half-acre garden an area of 22 acres were laid Daithi Hanly and dedicated to the peaceful, woodland-backed set in the grounds of Ashtown out and enclosed in 1864. They memory of all those who gave countryside garden overflowing Castle (next to the Phoenix Park provide an opportunity to their lives in the cause of Irish with beautiful cottage garden plants, Visitor Centre). The Walled Garden demonstrate Victorian horticulture Freedom. The large sculpture by trees and shrubs. Secluded seating. is currently being restored to its at its best. They also contain Oisin Kelly is based on the theme Walled organic vegetable plot. original mid-Victorian layout. The a large lake and children’s of the Children of Lir. The garden Wheelchair access: No. garden will inspire and educate playground. Mrs Patricia Farrell 01 2958371/ is intended as a place of quiet the public on the horticultural 01 821 3021 087 6193455 remembrance and reflection. skills involved in the design and [email protected] Wheelchair access: Yes. [email protected] layout of a Victorian Kitchen www.phoenixpark.ie 01 821 3021 www.knockrose.com [email protected] www.heritageireland.ie Mornington Garden Mornington, Saval Park Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin DGTrail, GoIT: This is a must see large, family friendly garden with mature planting and a mix of flowers and vegetables. A garden for all seasons. Annmarie will be on hand to offer advice and tips. Wheelchair access: Partial. Ms Annemarie Bowring 087 2256365 www.dalkeygardenschool.com Call: 091 524336 or 086 8862594

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 5 Co. Dublin cont. | Co. Galway

Rathfarnham Castle St Stephen’s Green Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin Co. Dublin OPW: Ireland’s best-known OPW: Parkland surrounding the Victorian park. castle includes a playground, 01 4757816 pathways, woodland and an old www.ststephensgreenpark.ie lake in the centre of the wood. 01 4939462 St Audeon’s Church www.heritageireland.ie Cornmarket, High Street, Co. Dublin Royal Hospital OPW: Garden designed using Kilmainham ground-cover planting. (Gardens only) 01 6770088 Kilmainham, www.heritageireland.ie Co. Dublin OPW: The Royal Hospital The Phoenix Park Tyrrelstown House COUNTY GALWAY Kilmainham was established Co. Dublin D08 KDC4 Powerstown Road, Mulhuddart, and built between 1680 and Co. Dublin D15 T6DD Ardcarraig 1684 on a 60-acre site granted by OPW: The Phoenix Park is the King Charles II at the instigation largest enclosed public park in DGTrail, GoIT, RHSI: Situated Oranswell, of James Butler, First Duke of any capital city in Europe. It was on ten hectares of parkland Bushypark, Ormond. Today, the Office of originally formed as a royal hunting which includes woodland walks, Co. Galway Park in the 1660s and opened to the Public Works retells the story of arboretum,wild flower meadows, ConGT, GoIT: Woodland garden, public in 1747. A large herd of fallow this magnificent building through spring bulbs, walled, vegetable water garden, heather areas, fernery deer still remain to this day. The its ‘Old Man’s House,’ Exhibition. and rose gardens. and herb garden. Don’t miss it! Park is also home to the Zoological Discover the history behind the Wheelchair access: Partial. 086 8862594/ 091 524336 Gardens, Áras an Uachtaráin, and North Range, the Formal Gardens, 01 8213206 [email protected] Victorian flower gardens. The the Meadow and Dublin’s Oldest [email protected] www.gardensofireland.org Glen Pond is set in the very scenic graveyard, Bully’s Acre, and www.tyrrelstownhouse.ie surrounds of the Furry Glen. Both relive the past. Located on the passive and active recreational Coole Park ground floor of the West Wing, the pursuits may be pursued such as War Memorial Gort, Co. Galway exhibition enables you to enter walking, cycling, running, polo, Gardens this window into the past and lets OPW: nature reserve, former home cricket, hurling and more. South Circular Road, you discover the lives of those who of Lady Gregory, woods, lake, walled 01 821 3021 Islandbridge, Co. Dublin garden, visitor centre and tea room. once worked and resided within [email protected] OPW: One of the most famous 091 631804 its walls. Please contact rhktours@ www.phoenixpark.ie opw.ie for guided visit. memorial gardens in Europe. They www.coolepark.ie 01 6129900 are dedicated to the memory of [email protected] 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in Portumna Castle www.heritagireland.ie the 1914 – 1918 war. The names & Garden of all the soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Castle Demesne, St Enda’s National Clarke manuscripts in the granite Portumna, Historic Park bookrooms in the gardens. The Co. Galway Grange Road, gardens are not only a place of 17th century gardens featuring a Rathfarnham, remembrance but are also of restored walled kitchen garden Co. Dublin great architectural interest and and a formal garden with three OPW: A late 18th century park beauty. They are one of four formal enclosures. containing rare 18th and 19th gardens in this country designed 090 9741658 century garden buildings, follies, a by the famous architect Sir Edwin www.heritageireland.ie walled garden and floral displays. Lutyens (1869-1944). Sunken rose 01 4934208 gardens, herbaceous borders and www.heritageireland.ie extensive tree planting make for an enjoyable visit to the gardens in any season. 01 6472406 [email protected] www.heritageireland.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 6 County Kerry | County Kildare | County Kilkenny

COUNTY KERRY

Derrynane National Historic Park Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry V23 FX65 OPW: Derrynane House is the Edward Lovett Pearce and later Sir beloved childhood home of Daniel William Chambers. The house is set O’Connell ‘The Liberator’. It is set in in 120 acres of superb landscaped a beautiful sheltered landscape of grounds. Features include a the National Historic Park. Features classical temple, a Gothic revival of the garden include South lodge, still ponds and clusters of American plant collection, tree ferns trees dotting wide-open space. and other tender species from a 01 628 8252 variety of habitats including Canary [email protected] Islands, Madeira, South Africa and www.castletown.ie COUNTY KILKENNY Australia/New Zealand, a fernery, Kilkenny Castle Gothic summerhouse and fairy trail. The Parade, Wheelchair access: Partial. Japanese and Kilfane Glen and Co. Kilkenny R95 YRK1 066 9475113 St Fiachra’s Gardens Waterfall OPW: Founded soon after the [email protected] Tully, Kildare, Kilfane, Norman conquest of Ireland, the www.derrynanehouse.ie Co. Kildare Co. Kilkenny Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing RHSI: The Japanese Garden on GoIT, RHSI: Kilfane Glen is a wonderful example of an early circumstances over a period of 800 COUNTY KILDARE the grounds of The Irish National years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is Irish romantic garden, designed Stud is one of the oldest and finest open to visitors all year round and in 1790, with waterfall, stream, Castletown House Japanese Gardens in Europe. is largely a Victorian remodelling woodland walks and grotto. Designed by Tassa (Saburo) of the thirteenth century defensive and Parklands The garden is listed as an Eida, it was constructed between Castle. Each year, hundreds of Celbridge, Irish heritage garden and was 1906-1910. It structurally portrays thousands of visitors come to see Co. Kildare W23 V9H3 awarded assistance in 1993 by the journey through human the castle and walk through its OPW: Castletown is the largest existence. St Fiachra’s Garden was the European Union Cultural fifty acres of rolling parkland with and most significant Palladian designed by Prof. Martin Hallinan Commission. As an amenity it mature trees with abundant§ of style country house in Ireland. The in 1999,and it depicts the natural covers about 15 acres of easily wildlife. Other features include house is set amongst beautiful Irish landscape. A new addition is accessible natural landscape. a formal terraced rose garden, 18th century parklands. It was our ‘Garden of Meditation’, a dry Wheelchair access: Partial. woodlands and a man-made built c.1722 for the speaker of the landscape garden. Susan Mosse 056 7727150 lake, which were added in the Irish House of Commons, William Wheelchair access: Yes. [email protected] nineteenth century. Connolly (1662- 1729) to the designs 045 521617 www.kilfane.com 056 7704100 of a number of important architects, [email protected] [email protected] notably Alessandro Galilei, Sir www.irishnationalstud.ie www.kilkennycastle.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 7 EXPERIENCE TRUE NATURE

Irish National Stud & Gardens, Tully, Kildare, Co. Kildare Book your tickets online at www.irishnationalstud.ie T: +353 (0) 45 521617 E: [email protected]

Open 7 Days: 9.00am-6.00pm (last admission 5.00pm). Located 30 miles south of Dublin in Kildare, off the M7, Exit 13 onto the R415.

boynevalleygardentrail.com BoyneValleyGardenTrail

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 8 County Laois | County Limerick | County Louth

Heywood Gardens Ballinakill, Co. Laois LSGT, OPW: This 18th century designed historic landscape laid out in a romantic manner was commissioned by MF Trench and comprises woodland, walks, lakes and various Gothic follies. Fruitlawn It is one of only four Edwin Barmeath Castle Beaulieu House Lutyens designed gardens in aromatic herbs fill the garden. Ireland. Circular terraces with a COUNTY LAOIS 041 9838409 Forest Edge sunken pool garden feature are [email protected] 5 Forest Edge, Emo Court surrounded by a walk with ox-eye www.boynevalleygardentrail.com windows that look out over a Stameen, Drogheda, Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois panorama of seven counties. Co. Louth A92 D5CC R32 C44 Wheelchair access: Partial Barmeath Castle A small town garden with an LSGT, OPW: 18th century neo- 057 8733563 Dunleer, Co. Louth eclectic collection of shrubs and classical mansion designed by [email protected] BVGT: Barmeath is a flamboyant perennials and a large selection James Gandon and surrounded by www.heritageireland.ie castle set in over 10 acres of of roses. Tree ferns and acers formal lawns, a lake and mature historic gardens over looking thrive in this sheltered garden, trees on 250 acres. Dundalk Bay. Home to the Bellew where winding pathways lead to 057 862 6573 COUNTY LIMERICK family since the 1670s, the main an established woodland grove, [email protected] design of the garden is by Thomas which is dedicated to a developing www.emocourt.ie Coolwater Garden Wright who came to Ireland in biodiversity area. Donation in lieu Fedamore, Co. Limerick V35 YN29 1745. The grounds feature a lake, of entrance fee to Mellon Educate Fruitlawn Garden RHSI: Covering 0.5 acre and quite islands and a rustic rock bridge charity. and the walled garden with its Fruitlawn, Abbeyleix, unlike any other gardens that you Debbie & Christopher O’Brien- extensive ornamental displays. Co. Laois may see with rare pavement feature Lynch 085 8003674 041 685 1205 [email protected] LSGT, GoIT: A walled-in garden and very large back garden pond. [email protected] www.boynevalleygardentrail.com on 1 acre with lushly planted Kevin Begley 087 2584716 www.boynevalleygardentrail.com Facebook: totalgardensireland perennial borders with many [email protected] unusual plant species, hornbeam www.coolwatergarden.com tunnel, orchard, fruit and Beaulieu House & Gardens Killineer House and vegetable garden and other lovely COUNTY LOUTH Drogheda, Co. Louth A92 PD3R Garden trees and shrubs to see. A wide BVGT: Early example of Irish walled Killineer, Drogheda, selection of plants from the garden Augustinian Garden of garden in stunning location - fully Co. Louth available for sale. maintained. Remembrance BVGT: Regency garden, woodland Wheelchair access: Yes. Wheelchair access: Partial. walks, laurel lawn, walled Mr Arthur Shackleton Shop Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth Cara Konig 041 9838557 herbaceous and vegetable gardens. 057 8730146 BVGT: Adjoining the Augustinian [email protected] Wheelchair access: Yes. [email protected] Church and drawing on its www.beaulieuhouse.ie Mr Charles Carroll 041 9838563 www.arthurshackleton.com/ monastic heritage, the garden [email protected] holds the names of loved ones Collon House www.killineerhouse.ie to be remembered in a peaceful Gash Gardens Ardee Street, Collon, Co. Louth setting formed by pleached Castletown, Portlaoise, Co. Laois A92 YT29 lime trees and standing stones R32 K068 surrounding a water memorial. BVGT: Visitors wishing to see LSGT, RHSI: A treasure trove of Holly, juniper, soft fruit trees, the garden will find a secret interesting and unusual plants flowering herbaceous varieties and gem designed in the style of the in an enchanting and tranquil mid-18th century, with sunken setting, extending over 4 acres box parterres, lovely herbaceous with colourful borders, ponds and borders and a courtyard filled a riverside walk. Plants for sale. with hostas. A Greek style summer Wheelchair access: No. house completes the picture in this truly charming retreat. Mary Keenan & Ross Doyle 087 2737883 / 087 2728337 Mr Michael McMahon 0872355645 [email protected] [email protected] www.gashgardens.ie www.collonhouse.com or Coolwater Garden www.boynevalleygardentrail.com Collon House

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 9 County Louth cont. | County Mayo | County Meath

Bee Wise Nature Trail Crerogue, Kilmessan, Co. Meath C15 X62D BVGT: 5 acre nature trail with a young woodland, flowering/ fruiting hedgerows and wildflower areas. It was planted to Listoke Gardens Turner conservatory at Rokeby Hall encourage a diversity of wildlife. Oldbridge Gardens There is a 1.5km path with Listoke Gardens COUNTY MEATH information points and spots to College Hill House Ballymakenny Road, sit and listen to the birds or watch Braystown, Slane, Co. Meath Drogheda, Co. Louth Balrath House and the butterflies and bees. There is a large, working observation hive BVGT: Three acres of mature, BVGT: Walled Edwardian garden, Courtyard to view the fascinating life of the landscaped garden surround the surrounding woodlands, grass house. Navan, Co. Meath honey bee. tennis court, herbaceous borders. 087 1400220 BVGT: The mature walled garden 086 3446791 Juliet & Raymond Gogan is set in 1.5 acres, surrounded by [email protected] 086 2118741 / 087 7447057 [email protected] 20.5 acres of grassland overlooking www.collegehillhouse.ie/ [email protected] www.beewise.ie the River Nanny. www.listoke.com 041 9825749 Boyne Garden Centre Francis Ledwidge [email protected] Museum Rokeby Hall Garden www.balrathcourtyard.com Janeville, Slane, Co. Meath Grangebellew, Dunleer, Co. Louth Ardcalf, Slane, Co. Meath C15 P92W BVGT: The garden to the rear of the BVGT: The focal point of the Battle of the Boyne museum is a haven of tranquillity. ISNA, BVGT, GoIT: Boyne gardens is the splendid Turner Oldbridge House In springtime it radiates with conservatory which dates to the Garden Centre is nestled in the and Gardens colour from daffodils, bluebells 1850s and has recently undergone countryside just outside the and primroses. The roses are a a full restoration. Drogheda, Co. Meath A92 CY68 picturesque village of Slane, in delight in summer along with all 086 8644228 BVGT, OPW: Oldbridge House Co. Meath. The Garden Centre the other cottage garden flowers. [email protected] dates to the mid-18th century with is situated within our mature 041 9824544 www.rokeby.ie gardens laid out just before this landscaped garden, where visitors [email protected] date and developed afterwards. may get inspiration for their own www.francisledwidge.com Unique to Ireland is the sunken COUNTY MAYO gardens. Octagonal Garden with specimen Wheelchair access: No. Irish and continental yew trees. 041 9824350 Herberts’ Garden Enniscoe Gardens A restored Peach House, Dog [email protected] Churchtown, Navan, Co. Meath Kennels and Bothy with an Castlehill, Ballina, Co. Mayo www.boynegardencentre.ie/ BVGT: Designer James McConnell’s F26 EA34 exhibition about Walled Gardens garden features a formal beech are worth seeing. Highlights Enniscoe Ornamental and Bramley Cottage garden, boxwood parterre and a Enniscoe Organic gardens adjoin include the herbaceous border, rose garden with a folly. Enjoy the The Rath, the North Mayo Heritage Centre, lavender beds and orchard of old lime walk, hornbeam arbour and Killsallaghan set in the grounds of historic Irish variety apples. vistas of parkland beautifully laid Co. Meath Enniscoe House. Visit the small 041 9809950 out around an early 19th-century museum and exhibition area, and [email protected] BVGT: Six times Bloom Gold farmhouse. enjoy a woodland walk to the www.battleoftheboyne.ie Medal winner, Jane McCorkell’s Paula McConnell 085 7829966 shores of Lough Conn. garden is set is an idyllic acre [email protected] Wheelchair access: Full. of landscape surrounding her www.herberts.ie 096 31809 early C18th farm house. Over ten [email protected] years of passion and hard work www.northmayogenealogy.com have gone into creating a series of garden ‘rooms’ and with large perennial borders, which will utterly delight garden enthusiasts. Ms Jane McCorkell 087 6839520 [email protected] www.janemccorkell.com

Enniscoe Gardens BeeWise Picnic Area College Hill House

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 10 County Meath cont. | Co. Offaly | Co. Waterford

Loughcrew giant ants feature, Julianstown Village birthplace of St Oliver Plunkett Birr Castle Gardens & Garden (church and tower house), Science Centre Julianstown, Co. Meath parterre, 17th century ruins of Birr Demense, Birr, BVGT: Part of the Boyne Valley an Irish long house, 17th century Co. Offaly, R42 V027 canals. Childrens playground and Garden Trail - Julianstown Award GoIT: An exotic worldwide coffee shop open when the garden Winning Village Garden was a collection of plants and rare trees, is open. derelict three acre site, now a collection of over 40 champion Wheelchair access: Yes. transformed into a beautiful trees, award winning gardens, 0049 8541356 garden. Extensive landscaping lake, rivers and waterfall and [email protected] has created many interesting for the younger generation The www.loughcrew.com features, including an orchard, Treehouse Adventure Playground, woodland, flowerbeds, soft fruit exploring Tankardstown’s Ireland’s Historic Science Centre, bushes, herbs, pond and scattered Ratoath Garden Centre parkland, walled pleasure garden The Castle Courtyard Cafe and seating. Plants for pollinators and Raystown, Ashbourne, and kitchen garden, which grows the Great Telescope. During the biodiversity. Co. Meath many of the vegetables, salads and summer months (May to August 086 3477283 only) castle tours take place 6 days BVGT, GoIT: 2 acres of planting herbs used by the chef in the hotel [email protected] a week. including a traditional herbaceous restaurants, open day and evening www.julianstowncommunity.com Wheelchair access: Yes. border and extensive mixed in the garden courtyard. The Cellar 057 9120336 borders. Also a water lily pond. Restaurant offers afternoon tea. [email protected] Kilgar Gardens 01 8256678 Brian and Patricia Conroy www.birrcastle.com Gallow, Kilcock, Co. Meath ratoathgardencentre@hotmail. 041 9824621 com [email protected] BVGT, RHSI: Kilgar Gardens, www.tankardstown.ie covering an area of 3 acres, the www.ratoathgardencentre.ie COUNTY WATERFORD garden comprising of formal and informal garden rooms around Rosemount The Cottages Ireland Mount Congreve Garden the house, graduating to a more Julianstown, Co. Meath Bettystown, Co. Meath Kilmeaden, naturalistic style towards the outer A92 TXE9 Co. Waterford reaches, creating a peaceful haven BVGT: Once upon the time, “Rosemount” was a commercial BVGT: The Cottages are a dreamy WatGT: Mount Congreve has been of beauty. The outline plan for hamlet of 300 year old thatched the garden was done in 2007 and orchard, sloping down to the designated a ‘great garden of treacherous river Nanny. Today, it cottages, set in large organic the world.’ The gardens consist owner Paula Byrne has created flower gardens by the seaside. different atmosphere in each is an enchanted riverscape garden of 70 acres of intensely planted 041 9828104 garden. set on ten acres, studded with a woodland and a four acre walled collection of unusual trees and [email protected] garden. The collection consists Wheelchair access: Partial. outhouses. Teas, apéritifs, music www.cottages-ireland.com of over 3,000 different trees 087 1344950 lectures, political and economic and shrubs, more than 2,000 [email protected] www.kilgargardens.com talks by arrangement. COUNTY OFFALY rhododendrons, 600 camellias, 300 087 6125291 Acer cultivars, 600 conifers, 250 [email protected] climbers and 1500 plants. Bellefield House, Loughcrew Gardens www.kendumusic.com 051 384115 Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Garden and Cottages [email protected] Co. Meath St. Mary’s Abbey Shinrone, Co. Offaly www.mountcongreve.com Landscape gardens with 17th Trim, Co. Meath GoIT, RHSI: Restored Georgian century yew walk, lime avenue, farmhouse, two-acre walled herbaceous border, water features, BVGT: 12th century Augustinian St. garden with folly, glasshouse, rill, lake walk, 600-year old yew walk, Mary’s Abbey. Walled garden with collections of Japanese Irises, fine shrubs and trees. peony, old roses, clematis, fruit 087 2057176 and vegetables. Woodland with [email protected] over 200 snowdrops, old daffodils, www.boynevalleygardentrail.com species tulip, primula and unusual woodland plants. Plants for Tankardstown House sale from garden and teas by Rathkenny, Slane, Co. Meath appointment. C15 D535 Wheelchair access: Yes. Ms Angela Jupe 086 6002180 BVGT: Set on an 80 acre estate, [email protected] Tankardstown is a classic Georgian www.angelajupe.ie manor house. Visitors will enjoy Mount Congreve

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 11 A great garden of the world powerscourt House and Gardens No. 3 in the world - National Geographic

Escape from the world as you explore the dramatic 70 acres Mount Congreve Gardens. Meander 16km of walking trails and enjoy the four-acre meticulously maintained walled garden, glorious herbaceous beds, lawns and water features. Japanese Gardens | Pepperpot Tower | Pets’ Cemetery Terrace Café | Gift Shop | Garden Pavilion Just 10 minutes from Waterford City Waterfall | Free Parking | Free WIFI Open 7 days per week until September & Thursday to Sunday September to December Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow www.MountCongreve.com www.powerscourt.com

Ireland’s Blue Book is a romantic collection of Irish country house hotels, manor houses, castles and restaurants.

Ireland’s Blue Book Gift Vouchers Available www.irelandsbluebook.com / T +353 1 676 9914

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 12 Co. Waterford cont. | Co. Westmeath | Co. Wexford | Co. Wicklow

wheelchairs are available to use. Tourin Gardens 044 9349060 Coolaught Gardens Tourin, Cappoquinn, [email protected] Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Co. Waterford www.belvedere-house.ie Co. Wexford WatGT, GoIT: Visitors welcome WGT: This country farmhouse to Tourin House and Gardens 2.5 acre garden has borders situated five miles from both which blend old favourites and Lismore and Cappoquin in the new introductions in an informal heart of the beautiful Blackwater atmosphere. Paths lead you to Valley. The original Tower House the front garden, rose pergola, dates back to circa 1560, the Main laburnum arch, richly under- House was finished in 1840 and planted orchard, Egyptian garden the 20 acre garden includes a fine and finally a woodland garden. In collection of mature trees, shrubs spring the lawn becomes a crocus and a Walled Garden. Home to carpet, originally planted over 80 Hunting Brook three Jameson sisters, including years ago and cultivated by four artist Andrea Jameson. generations of the Deacon family. different rhododendrons, and Kristin Jameson 058 54405 Wheelchair access: Partial. many varieties of azaleas and [email protected] Mr & Mrs Caroline & Harry heathers), dwarf conifers, hedges, www.tourin.ie/ Deacon 053 9244137/087 6446882 ground covers and climbing [email protected] plants. The lake is the most Tourin House & Gardens www.facebook.com/ popular part of the Arboretum, COUNTY WESTMEATH coolaughtgardens and is a haven for waterfowl. 051 388171/046 9426090 Belvedere House, COUNTY WEXFORD John F. Kennedy [email protected] Gardens & Park www.heritageireland.ie Colclough Walled Garden Aboretum Tullamore Road, Mullingar, New Ross, Co. Wexford Y34 KA48 Co. Westmeath N91 EF80 Tintern Abbey, Saltmills, Co. Wexford COUNTY WICKLOW The magnificent 160 acre Lakeside WGT, OPW: Dedicated to the WGT, RHSI: The walled garden was memory of John Fitzgerald Estate of Belvedere House, Corke Lodge Gardens and Park has restored built by the Colclough Family in Kennedy, President of the United Georgian Villa and a fascinating the early 19th century. Restoration States from 1960 to 1963, the Woodbrook, Bray, Co. Wicklow Victorian Walled Garden with one work began in July 2010 and the Arboretum is a plant collection of DGTrail: A secret garden in a of Ireland’s finest collections of original layout of the garden has international standing. It covers woodland setting outside Shankill rare plants. The naturalistic 18th been reinstated as it was in 1838. 252 hectares on the southern originally planted in the 1810s century parkland is punctuated The main features of this 2.5 acre slopes and summit of Slievecoiltia. featuring specimen trees and with Romantic Follies including stone/brick-lined walled garden It contains 4,500 types of trees extended in the 1980s with formal The Jealous Wall. There are also 3 include curved corners. It is a work and shrubs from all temperate vistas through romantic gothic outdoor children’s playgrounds, a in progress. regions of the world, planted follies and tropical planting. fairy garden and many picnic areas Wheelchair access: Yes. in botanical sequence. There Wheelchair access: Yes. on the estate. Mr Alan Ryan 083 3064159 are 200 forest plots grouped by Mr Alfred Cochrane 087 2447006 [email protected] Wheelchair access: Gardens, continent. Special features include [email protected] Parkland, Trails are accessible & www.colcloughwalledgarden.com an Ericaceous Garden, (with 500 www.corkelodge.com

BELVEDERE HOUSE GARDENS & PARK MULLINGAR, CO. WESTMEATH

A Fascinating Georgian Estate

etore eorgn cre o rn ctorn e ren Cren re torc oe r ren Open Daily m o erene ng r Year Round C t o with Seasonal Events t: 044 9338960 | e: [email protected] | www.belvedere-house.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 13 County Wicklow cont.

enquire through website. Wheelchair access: Partial. National Garden The Dower House June Blake 087 2770399 Exhibition Centre Rossanagh, Ashford [email protected] Arboretum Kilquade, Co. Wicklow www.juneblake.ie Kilquade, A67 XR62 Co. Wicklow DGTrail, GoIT, RHSI: 19th century Mount Usher Gardens VWG: Spend a day exploring the gardens with plantings of many Ashford, Co. Wicklow beautiful Arboretum National fine specimens surround an 18th century house and include a DGTrail, VWG: Mount Usher Garden Exhibition Centre, white garden, described as one of Gardens are one of the best in the Kilquade, Wicklow. Discover 18 ‘Wicklow’s finest gardens’. In high world and are a supreme example captivating exhibition gardens with summer, the wild flower meadow of the Robinsonian style. It covers winding paths and trails leading to is a glorious, thriving oasis. 22 acres through the middle eye catching inspirational gardens Wheelchair access: Yes. of which flows the Vartry River, with unique flower displays and Mrs Patricia Butler 085 1911275 highlighted by little weirs. There ideas to recreate in your gardening /0404 40168 are over 4,500 varieties of trees, space. Also features a garden [email protected] shrubs and plants which includes centre and restaurant on site. Wheelchair access: Yes. www.dublingardens.com June Blake Garden Champion Trees of both Britain and Ireland. It has been maintained [email protected] www.arboretum.ie Hunting Brook Gardens without weed killers or artificial Trudder Grange Garden fertilizers for over 30 years. Lamb Hill, Tinode, Newtownmountkennedy, Wheelchair access: Partially Blessington, Co. Wicklow Powerscourt Gardens Co. Wicklow accessible. Powerscourt Estate, A63 FD28 DGTrail, GoIT, VWG: Hunting Brook 0404 49672/Café 0404 40116 Enniskerry, DGTrail: Trudder Grange garden Gardens, home to Jimi Blake and [email protected] Co. Wicklow has developed over the last one of Ireland’s largest private www.mountushergardens.ie collections of plants spread over VWG: Discover all the Powerscourt 30 years from a stony field 20 acres, is famous for its borders. Gardens have to offer: ornate into a garden full of shrubs They are a modern fusion of National Botanic Gardens, statues in the Italian Gardens, the and herbaceous borders, an prairie and tropical planting and Kilmacurragh, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow Japanese Garden, the magnificent organic vegetable garden with a greenhouse, an acre of wild flower the constant changing palette of OPW, BGCI, Plant Network, VWG: Rose Garden and the splendid meadow in the walled garden plants, reflects this very modern Renowned 103-acre historic lavender in the Kitchen Garden. which is planted with unusual garden-maker’s unbounded gardens and arboretum with With over 200 varieties of trees, specimen trees. Close to the sea, enthusiasm for creative gardening. conifers, rhododendrons, shrubs and flowers it is every many tender plants grow in this ‘Hunting Brook is a garden that is Southern Hemisphere trees gardener’s dream. The younger very sheltered garden. endlessly beguiling.’ and shrubs, Robinsonian bulb members of the family will enjoy Ms Vanessa Hayes 01 2819422/ Wheelchair access: No lawns, wild flower meadows and the Pets’ Cemetery with the 087 418 7616 Jimi Blake 087 2856601 extensive herbaceous borders unusual pet names. www.dublingardens.com [email protected] containing rare and unusual Wheelchair access: Partial www.huntingbrook.com plants, many wild collected from 01 2046000 recent expeditions. Undergoing [email protected] www.powerscourt.com June Blake’s Garden & restoration by the OPW and Nursery extensive replanting with an exciting range of new and exotic Tinode, Manor Kilbride, species. Blessington, Wheelchair access: Mostly. Co. Wicklow 01 8570909/0404 48844 DGTrail, GoIT, VWG, RHSI: June [email protected] Blake’s Garden, in West Wicklow, www.botanicgardens.ie is an ever-evolving plant lovers paradise. Expertly designed with an artistic eye, greatly influenced by its surroundings, the Victorian Steward’s house and farmyard, the beautiful Wicklow Mountains, woods and fields that make up this extraordinary space. Plant sales and self-catering accommodation. For speaking engagements,

The Office of Public Works presents some of Ireland’s most iconic gardens and celebrated plant collections from the internationally renowned National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin to Ilnacullin/ Garinish Island with collections of exotic gardens and rare southern hemisphere plants. Semi tropical plants can be seen at Fota Arboretum with its celebrated champion conifers to Dublin’s best kept secret, the Iveagh Gardens.

Every year millions of people visit these historic gardens and enjoy the Lutyens designed landscapes of Heywood Gardens in Laois to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge. Plant collectors will love the collections of Corona North at Altamont Gardens in Carlow and Richard Grove at Anne’s Grove in Cork. While the OPW aims to conserve these gardens for the enjoyment of generations to come, we have all seen with the current Covid 19 pandemic how gardens and green space have been so important for us all. The OPW promotes these living spaces through a dedicated team of specialists and experienced landscape heritage professionals who manage and cultivate the gardens for the nation. Skilled botanists, horticultural specialists, craft gardeners, foremen, guides and grounds staff are dedicated to the individual gardens they serve. Scientific and botanical research is an important part of the work of the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, at Kilmacurragh and at JFK Arboretum in New Ross where the teams engage in international programmes of research and collaboration. Promoting and enhancing biodiversity at the heritage sites and gardens is also key and the OPW is committed to protecting the habitats of pollinators, birds and wildlife. Highlights during the summer months are the amazing display of lavender beds in the Walled Garden at Battle of the Boyne – Oldbridge, National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh is buzzing with pollinators in their herbaceous borders and wildflower meadows and the woodland walks at Doneraile Estate are teaming with wildlife and wildflowers. Please remember that access to gardens has been reserved between 10am and 1pm for people who are cocooning. This includes the over-70s and the medically vulnerable. Doneraile Estate

Doneraile Estate A haven of tranquillity in North Cork, Doneraile Estate is a house and parkland of over 400acres. Doneraile Court was the home of the St Leger family from 1637 to 1969 and is now managed by the OPW. With a natural flowing landscape, the estate was set in the 18th century in the magnificent style of Capability Brown. The estate has many specimen trees: oak, beech, spanish chestnut and lime. The River Awbeg flows through the estate creating a great aesthetic to the setting. A walk through this historic place offers a chance to view red, sika and fallow deer in the parkland. With the backdrop of the beautiful Georgian architecture, there are extensive walkways, water features and herds of roaming deer to enjoy. We invite you to take a relaxing stroll under the avenue of mature trees, explore the 18th and 19th century gardens, immersing yourself in the wondrous estate.

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 15 National Botanic Gardens - Kilmacurragh The National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh welcomes you to a tradition of botanic curation in a 52-acre estate. The grounds were home to seven generations of the Acton family who had close ties to the Moore family of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. Developed extensively in the nineteenth century golden age of plant collecting, it became one of the best private plant collections in Ireland of the time. Today managed by OPW, the plant collecting tradition continues with new acquisitions to match the historic collection. Famed for its conifers and rhododendrons, Kilmacurragh is a beautiful east coast visit.

Annes Grove

Battle of Boyne - Oldbridge Estate Oldbridge is a 500-acre estate taking in much of the original site of the Battle of The Boyne. Situated on the banks of the River Boyne, the estate and gardens have been extensively restored by the OPW in recent years. With a trapezoidal shaped walled garden, it broadens out to the south to accommodate the inner octagonal wall and orchard. Find old espalier pear trees and one hundred ‘Blood of the Boyne’ apple trees within. The original layout has been maintained and the garden today is presented as an ornamental garden rather than a working kitchen garden. Gardeners will delight in features such as the Double Peach House, Dog Kennels and Gardener’s Bothy, all returned to their former glory by OPW. Emo Court The rare to Europe sunken Octagonal Garden is the most celebrated feature of this garden and is believed to be unique in Ireland.

Altamont House & Gardens An enchanting blend of the formal and informal, Altamont House & Gardens is on the banks of the River Slaney and overlooked by the Blackstairs Mountains in Carlow. A treat in Tullow at any time of year, the gardens offer a varied landscape of lawns, walks, an arboretum, and a lake surrounded by rare trees and rhododendron. Highlights of this very special place are The Bluebell Wood, Ice Age Glen and Bog Garden. The plant collection is the work of the late Corona North, who bequeathed the property to the Irish State and is now lovingly cared for by OPW. Explore the walled garden and woodland, floral beds and lovely lawns, offering all the elements of a great garden. Every spring the annual Snow Drop Walk is a must for the calendar with over 200 named varieties popping their heads up above the soil for people to enjoy. Royal Hospital Kilmainham Gardens

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 16 Garden Trails and Promotional Groups

Many gardens open to the public are part of local garden visit promotion groups. These codes are shown in the entries. Visit the website below for more information.

BVGT Boyne Valley Garden Trail www.boynevalleygardentrail.com

BCGI Botanical Gardens Conservation International www.bgci.org

CGT Carlow Garden Trail www.carlowgardentrail.com

ConGt Connemara Garden Trail www.connemara.net/connemara-garden-trail

DGTrail Dublin Garden Trail www.dublingardens.com

DGT Donegal Garden Trail www.donegalgardentrail.com

GoIT Gardens of Ireland Trust www.gardensofireland.org

ISNA Irish Specialist Nursery Association www. www.irishspecialistnurseriesassociation.com

LSGT Laois Garden Trail www.laoistourism.ie

NatT National Trust for Northern Ireland www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/northern-ireland

OPW Heritage Sites of Ireland www.heritageireland.ie

Plant Network www.plantnetwork.org

RHSI Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Partner Gardens www.rhsi.ie/partner-gardens

ROC Ring of Cork www.ringofcork.ie/gardens

WatGt Waterford Garden Trail

WCGT West Cork Garden Trail www.westcorkgardentrail.com

WGT Wexford Garden Trail www.wexfordgardentrail.com

VWG Visit Wicklow Gardens www.visitwicklow.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 17 IRELAND’S HISTORIC GARDENS

John F Kennedy Arboretum Doneraile Estate

Royal Hospital Kilmainham Gardens Castletown House

Battle of the Boyne - Oldbridge

National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh

www.heritageireland.ie

The Irish Gardens Open 2020 Find it fast at: www.gardensopen.ie Published by Irish Garden Publishers Ltd 18