PLACES TO GO PLACES TO GO and old oak trees – Derreen means ‘little oak JEWELS wood’ in Irish. Garden manager, Alan Power, says that this time of year is when a lot of the greens are very vibrant and fresh. “This month you will see the final OF THE stages of the fronds unfurling on the tree ferns, which Derreen is famous for,” he says. “They look 2 fantastic, the fronds are just unfolding from the KINGDOM crown. They look quite vibrant when they come out.” Yvonne Gordon tells us why June is “Some of the more scented rhododendrons a great month to explore the gardens still flower and the native trees, beech trees and oaks, are just coming into full leaf,” he says. “We and attractions of County Kerry have the odd Japanese maple, dotted around the garden. With the red leaves, they look quite hether it’s the rugged coastal scenery, dramatic this time of year.” beaches and scenic drives along the For exploring inland, Killarney National Park peninsulas, or the calm of the lakes and and the lakes are enchanting in the summer mountains of Killarney and how their 3 months. Lough Leane is the largest of the three appearances change in the different 1 lakes and you can visit Ross Castle on the lake Wlight of the day, County Kerry has lots to draw in shore, a tower house built in the fifteenth century. those who love nature and the outdoors. 1 Derreen From here there are boat tours around the lake, or Garden June is a good month to visit — with the last a short boat trip out to Innisfallen Island. overlooking of the rhododendrons mixed with the vibrant Kilmackillogue You can wander the extensive gardens and green of new summer foliage, and before tourist Harbour and grounds at Muckross House, with views over attractions get busy with the crowds of late with views Muckross Lake plus large rhododendrons, azaleas summer. Kerry is on the Wild Atlantic Way, and to Caha and a rock garden. There’s also a working farm as well as its dramatic landscapes, there are some Mountains and a café and gift shop to stock up on local crafts interesting gardens dotted along the way. and goodies. 2 The Gap Two of southwest Ireland’s most beautiful of Dunloe Muckross House is part of Killarney National peninsulas are the Iveragh Peninsula, or the renowned for Park which covers 26,000 acres and takes in the Ring of Kerry, and the Dingle Peninsula beside it. the natural McGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Range including Both stretch out into the Atlantic, with rugged beauty of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest Mountain at coastline, beaches, small villages and ancient sites its rugged 1,039m tall. For something gentler, from Muckross to discover. landscape House, you can follow the 10km trail around Allow a full day or more to explore the Ring the Muckross Lake Loop, which goes through 3 Japanese of Kerry, which is the largest and busiest of the 5 4 woodland and heather, taking in mountain views. Garden at Dhu peninsulas, with plenty of daytrippers along You will pass the Meeting of the Waters, tearooms Varren near the 175km route. Driving from Killorglin, there — Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, which are Blasket Islands (which you can also visit on a day at Dinis Cottage and Torc Waterfall. Killorglin are views over Dingle Bay and Rossbeigh beach. 13km offshore. At The Skellig Experience Visitor trip), and down over sheltered coves. Finally, for some of County Kerry’s most Near Kells, drop into Kells Bay Garden, a 40-acre Centre on Valentia Island, you can learn about the 4 Muckross Near Killorglin, Dhu Varren Garden is an dramatic scenery, don’t miss the Gap of Dunloe, Victorian garden with a large collection of plants ‘This history and wildlife on Skellig Michael, which was House and interesting 2.5 acre garden with plant collections an incredible mountain gorge with a river and from Europe, New Zealand and South America. month once home to monks, and how the rocks provide Gardens In from temperate, sub-tropical and tropical small lakes, which runs on into the Black Valley The peaceful gardens overlook the bay, and refuge to thousands of breeding seabirds like Killarney you will climates around the world. There are glasshouses with its steep sides. You can take a horse-drawn, walking trails take in forest, bamboo glades and a gannets and puffins. As well as the exhibitions, National Park see the and a Japanese garden with a koi carp pond. jarvey car tour from Kate Kearney’s Cottage or, for walled garden. you can book a sea cruise around the Skelligs from final 5 Tree fern the best way to appreciate this landscape, walk or here — trips restart for the season this month. Further south, the Beara Peninsula borders with Garden owner Billy Alexander says that June is forest walk cycle right through the timeless valley and soak stages County Cork and Gleninchaquin Park is a lovely a great month to visit, as the tree ferns are in full For a scenic detour, turn off from the N70 at Kells Bay up the surrounding nature.b of the spot to visit, with a sensory garden, picnic areas flush — Kells Bay has the biggest collections of between Waterville and Cahersiveen for the Gardens and walking trails including a 2km waterfall these in the northern hemisphere. Billy also says fronds Skellig Ring, with Atlantic views from St Finian’s looped walk, with views back over the valley. the bamboo garden looks amazing. “It’s one of the unfurling Bay, tasty treats at The Skellig Chocolate Company PLAN YOUR VISIT best months before the full summer comes, the on the and perhaps a quiet walk on the headland. The County Kerry side of the Beara Peninsula i plants look best in the cooler temperatures and all is also where you’ll find Derreen Garden, tucked Kells Bay Garden (kellsbay.ie), Derreen tree If you’re exploring the Dingle peninsula, which the trees are just about in full leaf now, after a very away in woodlands overlooking Kilmackillogue Garden (derreengarden.com), Gleninchaquin is a Gaeltacht area, Dingle town itself is a popular cold spring,” he says. “The rhododendrons are still ferns’ Harbour, with views of the Caha Mountains. The Park (gleninchaquinpark.com), Muckross House spot with regular boat trips to see wildlife in in flower and the gunnera leaves are almost at 60-acre garden was originally planted around (muckross-house.ie), Killarney National Park the bay, made popular in the past by Fungie the their biggest, with seven foot leaves.” 150 years ago and rare trees and shrubs are (killarneynationalpark.ie) and Dhu Varren Garden dolphin. Further along the peninsula, the Slea continually added. Rhododendrons are one of the (dhuvarrengarden.com). Check opening hours Further along the Ring of Kerry, the two jagged Head drive takes you on a scenic journey past highlights, as well as tree ferns, bamboo groves and Covid-19 guidelines before you visit. outlines of the Skellig Islands come into view dramatic rocky cliffs with views out over the 60 The Irish GARDEN JUNE 2021 JUNE 2021 The Irish GARDEN 61 TIG.indb 60 28/05/2021 12:25:09 TIG.indb 61 28/05/2021 12:25:16.