Top 10 Irish Gardens

We don’t like to play favourites when it comes to gorgeous Irish gardens, but we managed to curate 10 of the best for your perusal, many with splendid castles, fascinating histories and opportunities for exclusive visits.

1. Tullynally Castle & Gardens, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath

Tullynally Castle

Tullynally Castle has been in the Packenham family since 1655 and the 12 acres of gardens include woodland gardens, walled gardens and two ornamental lakes. On a Dream Escape tour with Thomas Packenham, he’ll tell you about his plantsourcing adventures around the world and growing thousands of trees from seed.

2. Lismore Castle, Lismore, Co Waterford

Lismore Castle gardens

The gardens at Lismore Castle are set over seven acres and divided into two gardens. The lower garden has a yew avenue, open lawns, trees and flower gardens. The upper garden has a superb walled garden dating to 1605, with many original features, such as the stone steps. The garden supplies fruit, vegetables and flowers to the house and also has ornamental borders. There are sculpture installations throughout, and make sure to visit the contemporary art gallery in the castle’s west wing. There’s a picnic area and Dream Escape guests can arrange a picnic or snacks from the café. If you’re travelling on to Cork city, don’t miss the garden of Hester Forde at Cosheen on the way – a woodland garden with a fantastic collection of plants and a beautiful snowdrop garden.

3. Garinish Island, Glengarriff Bay, Co Cork

Garinish Island

The beautiful Garinish Island (also called Ilnaculling), set in a sheltered harbour in Bantry Bay, has lots of rare trees and shrubs thriving in a sunny microclimate. The garden was designed by Harold Peto, and paths lead past features like the Grecian Temple or casita. You can also visit the original family residence. The boat trip to the island has magnificent views of Sugarloaf Mountain and, potentially, basking seals. The Italian terraces at nearby Bantry House & Garden are another Dream Escape favourite.

Did you know? Salthill Gardens, created by Elizabeth Temple, a member of the family behind Magee, the famous Donegal tweed company, is one of 17 magical private gardens that are all part of the Donegal Garden Trail.

4. Japanese Garden, Powerscourt Estate, Co Wicklow

Japanese Garden, Powerscourt Estate

The gardens at Powerscourt are famous for their views of County Wicklow, and the Japanese Garden is a gem, especially in spring with colourful azaleas and in autumn with vibrant maple trees. There's also a pagoda, a Japanese bridge and an elevated stone bench for sweeping views. Dream Escape tours also take in nearby Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland’s second highest.

5. Jimi Blake’s Hunting Brook Gardens, Blessington, Co Wicklow

Jimi Blake’s Hunting Brook Gardens

In the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, Jimi Blake’s Hunting Brook Gardens is the result of this gardener’s passion for plants, and Jimi is happy to show Dream Escape guests the wide variety of plants and shrubs that he has collected over the years. The gardens are divided into two sections – a large, 15-acre area with a woodland garden and a valley overlooking the mountains; and a smaller five-acre area of ‘exotic gardens’. Different areas within this are named after characters in Jimi’s life. Ashley’s Garden has colourful, large-scale plantings, while Fred’s Garden focuses on all the different textures of plants. Dream Escape guests can also visit Jimi’s sister June Blake’s Garden nearby, a tiny but beautiful garden that includes converted outhouses and some unique accommodation.

6. Cappoquin House & Gardens, Cappoquin, Co Waterford

Cappoquin House

Near Lismore, Cappoquin House on the River Blackwater has been home to the Keane family since 1735. Its two hectares of south-facing gardens overlook the valley, with views to Lismore Castle. There’s a formal sunken garden, a pear and apple walk, a woodland walk, a hydrangea collection and many mature trees. Dream Escape guests can tour the house and garden and have lunch with owner Charles Keane. For a contrast, take in the sea air, birdlife and wildflowers on the Cliff Walk at Ardmore.

7. Ballymaloe Cookery School Gardens, Shanagarry, Co Cork

Ballymaloe Gardens

Dream Escape guests love the tours of these gorgeous gardens – part of the 100-acre farm and kitchen garden that supplies Ballymaloe Cookery School, Ballymaloe House and the farm shop. The gardens have a variety of plants and flowers, set over a mix of wild gardens and ornate designed gardens. There’s a soft fruit garden with gooseberries, raspberries and blueberries; a herb garden; a Celtic maze made with yew trees; and a wildflower garden that attracts butterflies and bees in summer. There’s also a water garden with a stream and a pond. The gardens also include edible flowers, such as lavender and marigolds, and organic composting. Make sure to sample some of Ballymaloe’s delicious food or produce from the farm shop after your garden tour.

8. Mount Usher Gardens, Ashford, Co Wicklow

Mount Usher Gardens

These gardens were planted in 1868 and are designed in the Robinsonian style, with paths leading through a variety of trees and shrubs, with different colours, textures and planting schemes to enjoy. There are riverwalks, a tree trail, and lots of benches to sit and take in the scenery, plus a restaurant and gift shop for post-walk browsing. Nearby Glendalough is a Dream Escape favourite for its lakeside paths, forest walks, waterfall trail and 6thcentury monastic village ruins, with church ruins and a round tower.

9. Castle Gardens, Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal

Glenveagh Castle and gardens

With mountains, lakes, remote trails and wildlife, Glenveagh National Park covers 16,000 hectares in the centre of Donegal. The centrepiece of the park is Glenveagh Castle and gardens. It's a mix of formal and informal, with paths leading to the walled garden with its colourful plantings, plus an Italian garden with a terrace and statues, and woodlands with exotic sculptures (from places such as Bali) along the way. From the castle, you can take in some of the national park itself by walking or cycling the 3.5km lakeside walk, or hiking into the Upper Glen for something more rugged. Dream Escape loves the contemporary walled garden at Salthill Gardens in nearby Mountcharles, with its secret paths leading to beds of fruit, flowers and vegetables, all created by Elizabeth Temple, of the family that own Magee, the famous Donegal tweed company.

Good to know... Landscape designer Catherine FitzGerald, owner of Glin Castle where guests can also enjoy guided tours of the enchanting gardens, breathed new life into the gardens of both Hillsborough and Glenarm castles

10. Hardymount Gardens, Tullow, Co Carlow

Hardymount Gardens

This is an excellent small garden on 2.5 acres, with giant chestnut, beech and oak trees, plus a colourful walled garden with a herbaceous border full of unusual plants and flowers. There are grass paths past a lily pond and apple trees, a wisteriacovered pergola and a quiet summerhouse at the end of the garden.

Our pick of gardens to visit in Northern Ireland...

Mount Stewart (National Trust)

Mount Stewart (National Trust)

The gardens of this 19th-century mansion include a sunken garden, an Italian garden and demesne with walking trails. There are fantastic tours by the head gardener.

Hillsborough Castle & Gardens

One hundred acres of gardens –walled gardens, glens, woodlands and ornamental lawns – plus a private experience of the castle itself for Dream Escape guests.

Glenarm Castle & Garden

An 18th-century walled garden with colourful flowers, herbaceous borders and water features, all set in a glen, with designs by Glin Castle owner Catherine FitzGerald.

Gardens at Grey Abbey House

Woodlands, colourful borders, meadows, and a southernhemisphere garden with a Chilean collection of plants and seeds.

Find out more

Caroline Charnock is our resident Garden Specialist. Combining her hobby and passion with work, she is thrilled to focus her vast expertise on gardens and garden tours especially for Dream Escape. What a fabulous excuse to visit some of the most stunning homes and gardens throughout the UK & Ireland in the name of research! Get in touch with Caroline now, for more information and inspiration.

⬥ caroline@dreamescape.co.uk