Gardens in County Wicklow
The Wicklow Gardens Festival takes place between May and July each year when many world-famous Gardens within easy reach of our accommodation are open to visitors. These include Killruddery and Powerscourt in the north of County Wicklow, Mount Usher near the coast at Ashford, Avondale Forest Park at Rathdrum and Altamount in County Carlow. Full details of these and many others are available from Wicklow County Tourism through www.visitwicklow.ie.

Powerscourt Gardens & House Exhibition
The word garden belies the magnitude of this creation, which stretches out over 50 acres. It is a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, exquisite statues and ostentatious ornamental lakes. The 18th century Palladian house now incorporates an innovative shopping experience, terrace restaurant and house exhibition. Powerscourt Gardens are part of Powerscourt Estate, which also boasts of Ireland's highest waterfall (Powerscourt Waterfall). A discreet construction project of the exclusive seven star Ritz-Carton Hotel is currently underway in the grounds, opposite the Golf course.

Mount Usher Gardens
Laid out along the banks of the River Vartry, this wild, Robinsonian garden dates from approximately 1860. The gardens measure 20 acres and contain over 5,000 different species of plants and trees. Water forms an essential part of the scenery with picturesque cascades and suspension bridges. There is a tearoom within a shopping courtyard with many craft and other selected shops. This garden is at its best in Spring and early Summer.

National Garden Centre, Kilquade
Tim & Suzanne Wallis displayed inspired foresight when they established the National Garden Centre at Kilquade more than a decade ago. Today it is a must on any garden lover's itinerary with a score of exquisitely laid out gardens, unique plants, knowledgeable and helpful staff and Pagoda Cafe, for a glass of wine, a country lunch or afternoon tea.

Visit National Garden Centre, Kilquade for more information.

Botanical Gardens / Japanese Gardens & National Stud
The gardens at Tully are a living monument to the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures in a Western setting. The symbolism of life portrayed in the garden traces the journey of a soul from Oblivion to Eternity and the human experience of its embodiment as it journeys by paths of its own choice through life. Typical ambitions toward education, marriage, or a contemplative or carefree life, achievement, happy old age and a gateway to Eternity are portrayed. Furthermore as an example of Japanese Gardening of its period, it is perfect - a Japanese Garden with a hint of Anglicisation about it, was precisely the type of garden being made in Japan at that time.

Visit the National Stud & Japanese Gardens for more information.