Summer Garden Visits

That exciting season of garden visiting is upon us again! Time to start checking out the enormous selection of fabulous open gardens we have on our own doorsteps. There is little that can be more sensually pleasurable than losing oneself wandering around a garden on a summer’s afternoon. It is where we get inspiration and ideas for our own gardens too while supporting and encouraging the endeavours of our horticultural community. So whether you
are a busy weeder or perhaps simply an armchair enthusiast, be sure that Garden Visits are high on your agenda for the Summer!

Here are some tips to get you going….

RHSI Partner Gardens
Our absolute Number One tip! As an RHSI member you are entitled to free or half price entry to 60 of our superb gardens throughout the 32 counties. We are extremely grateful to their generous owners and would love you to visit and support them during the summer. Check out the Partner Gardens section on the RHSI website and you’ll realise that we have many of the finest gardens in the country in our scheme- and you have that special RHSI key!

RHSI Gardens
Regular open days for our wonderful newly acquired garden RHSI Bellefied in Co Offaly are announced on the Bulletin. And Russborough Walled Garden and Laurelmere in Marlay Park are hives of activity run by volunteers.

Heritage Ireland/ OPW
This is a comprehensive list of both historic sites and gardens. Go to heritageireland.ie and press search for Gardens. The vast number of these State owned gardens have free entry. Many of these magnificent gardens you may not even be aware of in your area. Time to investigate- you will be surprised.

Garden Trails
Many counties have a Garden Trail so Google eg Donegal Garden Trail. Great for holiday visiting away from your own county.

Various websites
Check ‘Gardens’ on the web tourism sites for individual counties, Discover Ireland, Trip Advisor, etc which all produce some garden lists to visit.

Garden Clubs
If you are a member of a garden club there will doubtless be some treasures lined up for you to visit. So put the dates in your diary NOW lest you forget! If you are not in a club, do check out our Garden Club section on the RHSI website and you may find one nearby to join.

THE IRISH GARDEN MAGAZINE– Gardens Open booklet.
The May edition of The Irish Garden magazine contains the additional booklet ‘Gardens Open’ which is the excellent and absolute bible for instant information in a paper format. If you haven’t got it already do check your newsagent today ….if there are any left!

The Open Gardens of Ireland– guide book
And for in-depth garden background, there is simply no better guide than Shirley Lanigan’s book ‘The Open Gardens of Ireland’. First published in 2017, Her new 2024 revised edition has just arrived in book shops- a must to have in your car for any chance opportunities!