Drimbawn Garden

The garden of Drimbawn House on the banks of Lough Mask in Tourmakeady, Co Mayo was originally designed in the mid 19th century for Bishop Plunkett  by Ninian Niven first Curator of Dublin’s Botanic Gardens. The garden then declined over many years although some trees and structures survived as a reminder of the Victorian era. A restoration project under designer Daphne Shackleton was started in 2001 by the current owners and is ongoing. The garden, gently sloping down to the banks of Lough Mask, is divided into several different areas. The most developed is the restored walled garden with a large collection of perennials, climbers and flowering shrubs complimented by gravel paths and sweeping lawns against a background of 19th century and later trees. It also contains a vegetable garden providing organic vegetables for the house.. A paved terrace with beautiful stonework and bordered by neat pleached hedging overlooks this whole area with views through the trees of the lake. Drimbawn also has an arboretum in development and an orchard with 35 different varieties of apples. A busy propagation area hosts tropical fruits along with seedlings and cuttings. A woodland higher up is carpeted with ferns and spring bulbs and a lush bog garden close by boasts many water- loving plants. The most recent addition is the ‘Jungle’ with a small collection of New Zealand plants.

Drimbawn House
Tourmakeady, Co Mayo
F12 D252
Mobile: 00353 87 775 0107
Email: frank.f.steffens@gmail.com

Visits: Strictly by appointment with Head Gardener Frank Steffens.

Open April to September.

Free entry to RHSI members on presentation of current membership card