Gardens

Fota Arboretum is primarily a collection of good trees and shrubs. The tradition of planting exotic trees and shrubs started by James Hugh Smith-Barry still continues, extending the history of tree planting in the Gardens over 150 years. James Hugh Smith-Barry showed considerable sensitivity in the initial planting of the Read more [...]

The Garden, Ballintubbert, in Co. Laois is truly a garden in the making. Having been lovingly restored over the past ten years, it is a continuous on-going work of art. The stunning new garden attraction was opened to the public in July 2012 and is now one of Ireland’s largest Read more [...]

The giant Wellingtonian redwoods in the broadwalk at Fernhill form a cathedral-like aisle. Beyond them stretches the greeness of the Victorian laurel lawn and a magnificent springtime blaze of colour from rhododendrons and azaleas. Many of these specimens were introduced from the Himalayas by the William Hooker expedition. At Fernhill Read more [...]

Loughcrew Gardens are a breathtaking spectacle from 17th and 19th century landscape and pleasure gardens. Take a walk through centuries of garden and landscape fantasy. The central area of approximately six acres includes a lime avenue, extensive lawns and terraces, magnificent herbaceous border and physic border. Within the gardens stand Read more [...]

Coolwater, one of the undiscovered gems in Irish gardens, a new garden of half an acre but looking illusionary much larger, is completely unique in style, flowing effortlessly from one theme to the next with interest at every turn. Don’t expect lawns and normal borders in Coolwater. Starting in the Read more [...]

Knockrose is a deeply spiritual place, in one family for generations. Tom and Trish Farrell’s cottage-style garden is richly planted with a diverse selection of trees, shrubs, plants and vegetables accessed by meandering paths leading to different ‘rooms’. There are many secluded seating areas and we encourage visitors to spend Read more [...]

The arboretum at Kilmacurragh, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow, has been managed by the National Botanic Gardens since 1996. It is particularly famous for its conifers and calcifuges and was planted during the 19th Century by Thomas Acton in association with the curators of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. During the Read more [...]

The private garden created by Lolo and Godfrey Stevens over the last twenty years around an old garda barracks is surprisingly mature.The design is an important element dividing the 0.75 hectares into small intimate garden ‘rooms’ has allowed for the great variety of treatment. There are terraces, trellis work and Read more [...]

There are unique displays of 16 permanent gardens ranging from town house gardens to rose gardens to large water and woodland gardens. These gardens were designed and built by some of Ireland’s leading designers and landscapers. The exhibition offers inspiriation to both the new and experienced gardener. Read more …

Twenty five years ago Ballynacourty was surrounded by open fields. Today the gardens extend to approximately 1.6ha. Soil depth is critical as this is a limestone area with stone outcrops close to the surface. The garden is designed as a series of small gardens all interlinked. One garden has a Read more [...]