Gardens of Ireland

As a horticulturist with Irish ancestry who’s married to an Irishman, perhaps I’m a little biased, but I think Irish gardens are incredible. Spring and autumn are my favourite times to visit. In spring the gardens and woodlands are brimming with bulbs, and in autumn the changing colours add an extra dimension of wow factor. If you can, plan your visit to avoid the long European summer school holidays in July and August, when the gardens are more crowded.

Here are some of my favourite gardens in southern Ireland.

June Blake’s garden

Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Dublin, this one-hectare garden surrounds an old bluestone Victorian cottage, and the old cow sheds behind it are now luxury accommodation.

It’s a contemporary country garden that cleverly uses colour, texture and form. June gives each garden bed a different personality through the use of colour (hot colours in some, cool in others), and the naturalistic planting style helps tie all the different spaces harmoniously together. In spring you’ll be greeted by hundreds of tulips in bloom, while in summer you can marvel at beds bursting with colourful perennials. Late summer and autumn bring a change of colour and mood to the garden, but it’s equally beautiful.

After meandering around the garden, I love pausing to sit by the reflection pool. If you need a calming way to spend your last day in Ireland, this is it.

WHERE
June Blake’s Garden, Blessington, Country Wicklow, Ireland
GETTING THERE
It’s 30 minutes by road from Dublin.
GOOD TO KNOW
It’s open April–September, 11am–4pm, Thursday–Sunday. Entry is €6. Guided tours are available. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, Killashee Hotel, 20 minutes away, also has a lovely garden.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, Organic Farm & Gardens

The garden surrounding the world famous Ballymaloe Cookery School is a must-see in County Cork. The school was founded by Darina Allen, the Irish equivalent of Maggie Beer. The large garden is broken up into smaller spaces including a kitchen potager, a herb garden, a soft fruit garden, an old pleasure garden, a water garden and an ornamental fruit garden.

The mesmerising Shell House really captivated us on our last visit, so make sure to go inside this little folly. And standing beneath the towering leaves of the Brazilian giant rhubarb (Gunnera manicata) next to the large pond in the Old Pleasure Garden is another favourite spot of mine.

In the warmer months, lose yourself in the beautiful half-hectare Celtic maze of yew, beech and hornbeam, and if you escape it, go on and explore the wildflower meadow. To break up your tour, why not visit the on-site cafe and gift shop.

WHERE
Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry North, County Cork, Ireland
GETTING THERE
It’s 40 minutes by road from Cork City.
GOOD TO KNOW
It’s open year round, 9.30am–5.30pm, Monday–Saturday. Entry is €8.50. Guided tours are available. The garden is relatively flat and easily accessible. Many spaces don’t have sealed paths, so wear sensible shoes if wet.

Garinish Island (Ilnacullin)

Catch a small ferry to Garinish Island (top picture) and be magically transported to one of Europe’s most significant gardens. Originally designed by English landscape architect and garden designer Harold Peto for Annan and Violet Bryce in 1911, its collection of warm-climate plants is made possible by the island’s sheltered position and the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. By the 1920s, parts of the garden had become neglected, and over the next 30 years, the Scottish head gardener Murdo Mackenzie was charged with bringing the gardens back to life. His work included establishing shelter belts and building the collection of rare and tender plants that the garden is now famous for.

Make sure to explore the idyllic sunken Italian garden, which features Italianate architecture surrounded by an exotic plant collection that includes leptospermum, callistemon and myrtles, as well as many rhododendrons. The Happy Valley features more international specimens, including a thriving kauri pine (Agathis australis) from New Zealand. The walled kitchen garden and long perennial border are also spectacular in spring and summer.

WHERE
Garinish Island, Glengarriff, County Cork, Ireland
GETTING THERE
Take a 10–15-minute ferry ride from Glengarriff (€15 return).
GOOD TO KNOW
It’s open April–November at varying hours. Entry is €5. Allow at least two hours to enjoy the gardens. History lovers might also appreciate a guided tour of the Bryce family house.

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Story by Chloe Thomson
Header image by iStock