We have several Partner Gardens which you may like to visit. Belvedere is close to the N4, with Tullynally and Loughcrew north of this route. The Irish National Stud Gardens, Burtown and Ballintubbert are quite close together between the M7 and the M9, while Gash Gardens and Birr are close to the M7 a little further west.
It is easy to see their relative locations on the full-size map in the Partner Garden section of the RHSI website…….
Belvedere House Gardens & Park lie along the shores of Lough Ennell. This fully restored Georgian house has a beautifully designed walled garden and adjoining arboretum extending out to woodland and landscaped lakeside walks. A special folly among others, is the 1760s Jealous Wall! Tullynally Castle Gardens are a 25 minute drive further north. The imposing castle sits in 12 acres of beautiful gardens made up of extensive woodland, a walled garden and 2 ornamental lakes. A Chinese garden with waterfalls and streams and other eastern features has also been added. Just 15 minutes further north are Loughcrew Gardens, the 200 acre estate being in the same family since the 1600s. The very fine 6 acre gardens boast a lime avenue, yew walk, lawns, terraces, a parterre, a canal and a greatly restored walled garden with herbaceous borders.
The Irish National Stud & Gardens- The Japanese Gardens and St Fiacra’s Garden, are close to Kildare town. There is huge variety in this visit, from a fascinating tour of the stud to the two widely differing gardens in the grounds. The very peaceful Japanese Gardens regarded as the finest of their kind in Europe, were created in the early 1900s. St Fiachra’s Garden design was inspired by ancient monastic settlements and is in a very naturalistic setting with great use of water, rock and recreated ruins. Just off the M9, Burtown House and Garden have been a source of great artistic inspiration for several generations of its owners. The gardens are divided into several areas complete with large herbaceous borders, walled vegetable garden, shrubberies, a yew walk and a large woodland garden surrounded by streams. Just 20 minutes further on to the west, Ballintubbert Gardens and House are extremely proud of having recently become Ireland’s first Organically Certified Ornamental Garden. The gardens are laid out in a series of over 40 different “rooms”, from cottage style to a splendid Lutyens inspired sunken garden, a nuttery, orchard rose garden and much more. The next public open day is Aug 18th.
A little further west and just off the M7 are Gash Gardens. Set in former rich dairy land, this lovely 4 acre garden has been gradually developed over the past few decades. From the cottage style garden in front, the gardens flow informally and with great variety, with flowering shrubs, large drifts of perennials, many specimen trees and some wonderful water features. Some 35 minutes on, and across the other side of the M7 is the famous Birr Castle Demesne. The gardens are home to many rare plants, with 50 champion trees, rivers, lakes and streams within the wider 120 acre estate. The formal gardens boast the world’s tallest box hedges along with a romantic hornbeam walk. A must- see is the Leviathan, the 19th century telescope in the Science Centre.
Happy exploring!
Free or half price entry for RHSI members on presentation of current membership card. It is essential to check with each garden by email/phone or their own website before visiting. Some are by appointment only. Full information on these gardens is in the Partner Gardens section of the RHSI website.
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