Gardener's Delight - Beautiful Gardens of Ireland's Blue Book Country Houses, Historic Hotels and Castles.
Nestled in a 400 acre estate in rural East Cork, there is always something in flower in Ballymaloe House, be it a carpet of bluebells or vibrant Rhododendrons. Short walks can be taken around the ponds and woodlands and helpful maps are available for longer walks around the grounds.
Cradled in a hidden lakeside dell Carrig House gardens contains a magnificent selection of rare and unusual plants from all corners of the world, , including various species of acer, magnolia, cornus, acacia and eucryphia. Nurtured by the unique surroundings, the gardens blend with nature to produce an ever-changing interest through the seasons.
Situated in the heart of Connemara on the West coast of Ireland Cashel House Hotel is set in 50 acres of award winning gardens containing flowering shrubs and woodland walks.
Built by Capt. William Flower in 1716 as his family home in the Midlands of Ireland, the castle's pre Palladian design and formal gardens were the height of fashion in their day. Time has added nothing but charm to the pleasure gardens that surround the castle.
With its 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, ancient woodlands and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie is a picturesque rural destination. The Estate features unique flora and fauna, an interesting Integrated Wetlands project and many historical ruins and sights including the Gothic Lodge, the Walled Garden dating back to 1850 and the Pinetum.
Step back in time and discover the history and wonderful characteristics of the romantic walled garden at Enniscoe House. Walk along the pathways of the pleasure grounds that lead to the lakeshore, or take the nature trail through the old woodland.
Ghan House is an oasis of Georgian ambience, gardens and fine dining with beautiful views from every room of Carlingford Lough, The Mourne mountains or Slieve Foy. Ghan House are one of the oldest private houses of its type in Ireland, a tree length from Medieval Carlingford with 3 acres of walled mature gardens. All of this is overseen by Paul Carroll. His mother Joyce Carroll is semi-retired - she attends to the herb & vegetable gardens and the flowers in the house.
Hilton Park enjoys a glorious private setting. The ‘Stately Home’ overlooks its 600-acre park framed by managed woodlands to the focal point of the old hill fort. On the south side the windows all give out over the parterre and the plains of the pleasure grounds to Hilton Lough, with its canal and Lovers’ Walk. Johnny and Lucy renovated the pleasure grounds and the rose garden in 1994 and replanted the parterre, which had been laid out by Ninian Niven in 1870; he also planned the pleasure grounds and re-routed the southern avenue approach. Niven, the best-known landscape gardener of the Victorian period in Ireland also laid out the parterre at the Vice-Regal Lodge, now Aras an Uactarain. The grounds contain the old Victorian kitchen garden, three squares comprising almost 3 acres bounded by a mixture of red brick wall or water. These were made in the 1870s when Niven cleared away the much older walled garden, which hid the lake from the house. Johnny and Lucy laid out a new herb garden in 1995, which is based on the layout of that older garden.
Hunter's Hotel is set in 2 acres of award winning gardens on the banks of the river Vartry in Co. Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland.
The 150 acres of gardens, ponds and forest offer an experience that has been described as one of space, perception and peacefulness. Liss Ard has been planned to reveal a collection of garden rooms the lakeside walk, the waterfall garden, the woodland garden, the water garden and arboretum and the wildflower meadow.
As a city centre hotel, The Merrion is uniquely privileged to have two period gardens, designed by Jim Reynolds, the noted Irish landscape artist. The smaller of the two gardens, known as "Lady Mornington's Garden", links the Main House to the Garden Wing. This contemporary wing completes the enclosure of the garden, and many of the guestrooms overlook the larger, central garden. Both gardens re-create the feel of the 18th century, with box hedges, water features, pathways, statuary and obelisks. In summer, the large garden becomes an extension of the drawing rooms in the Main House, with waiter service so that guests can dine al fresco.
The magnificent gardens at Mount Juliet Estate form a haven of peace and tranquility. There are three main elements to the gardens. First, there’s an informal stream and rockery area near the drive, past the Jack Nicklaus Championship golf course, on the approach to Mount Juliet Manor House. Then there’s an old, walled rose garden, which has been replanted with a mixture of modern and old-fashioned roses. The highlight of the grounds is a walled, ornamental garden, with many charming features. In particular, the stunning double herbaceous borders, which are famous for their ever-changing colours, from early summer to late autumn.
The Mustard Seed has its own Irish country house garden with its very substantial kitchen garden providing much of the vegetables and herbs on its menu, not forgetting the hen house and run which supplies its own free range eggs. The bread, cakes and scones are all cooked daily in their kitchen and their own fruit provides for their tasty jams. Within close proximity to The Mustard Seed are the exotic Terra Nova Gardens, Moanwing Gardens, Knockpatrick Gardens and Phil Boyces garden where there is a studio for those who wish to paint and garden classes for those who just simply cannot get enough knowledge of the joys and beauty of Irish nature.
Converted from Queen Anne stables in 1798, Rathsallagh is a large comfortable house situated in 530 acres of peaceful parkland with a wonderful walled garden which complements the romance of the house.
The Estate at Tankardstown covers 80 acres of parkland and woodland , complimented by two walled gardens, one which is perfect for leisurely walks or a glass of wine in the summer house, or a dip in the hot tub, which is tucked away behind a Portuguese laurel hedge. The second walled garden is our kitchen garden , where guests can see Donal, our gardener lovingly sowing and reaping herbs, salads and vegetables at various times of the year. He is always happy to walk with guests through the garden and chat about his labour of love. Guests can then take off on the Boyne Valley Garden Trail which takes in 11 historic gardens in both counties Meath and Louth.
Viewmount House is complemented by four acres of spectacular, well-designed gardens, just waiting to be explored. Whether you want to go for a stroll, or just sit back and relax, you will find the gardens to be peaceful and tranquil. From lawn to pond, from orchard to herb garden, the grounds boast a wide variety of spaces, each with its own distinctive feel. A particular highlight is the Japanese garden. An area ideal for quiet reflection, it is not to be missed.
Gardener's Delight - Beautiful Gardens of Ireland's Blue Book Country Houses, Historic Hotels and Castles.