- Altamont Gardens: Often hailed as the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown, this enchanting 16-hectare (40-acre) estate blends formal and informal Robinsonian-style planting. Lawns dotted with sculpted yews slope to a picturesque lake fringed by rare trees and rhododendrons, while woodland paths lead through an arboretum, bog garden, and Ice Age glen to the River Slaney. Highlights include vibrant snowdrops in spring, glorious herbaceous borders, and a privately run walled garden with exquisite perennial displays — a romantic, year-round delight for plant lovers.
- Delta Sensory Gardens: Described as an oasis of peace and tranquillity, these award-winning 2.5-acre gardens near Carlow Town feature 16 interconnecting themed spaces designed to engage all the senses. Visitors wander through a waterfall garden, rose garden, willow tunnel, and striking water features — including a one-tonne floating pink marble sphere. With vibrant blooms, textured plants, soothing sounds, and fragrant herbs, it’s an accessible, multi-sensory haven perfect for relaxation and inspiration, complemented by a café and garden centre.
- Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds: Surrounding the dramatic Gothic ruins of a 19th-century great house, these restored interconnecting walled gardens brim with historical planting. The upper garden showcases box-hedged beds filled with old shrub roses, hardy perennials, and choice flowering shrubs, while the lower garden revives the former orchard with figs, mulberries, and rare Irish apple varieties. The pleasure grounds evoke Georgian romance with native tree-shaded paths and unique Carlow stone fencing — a captivating blend of history and horticulture.
- Hardymount Gardens: Near Tullow, this charming private garden surrounds a historic house with magnificent beech and oak trees framing beautiful walled areas. It boasts an array of unusual and vibrant plants, colourful herbaceous borders, and a sense of secluded elegance. The well-maintained displays offer inspiration for gardeners seeking rare specimens and atmospheric woodland planting in a peaceful, intimate setting.
- Oak Park Forest Park: This expansive 120-acre mature woodland on the outskirts of Carlow Town serves as a tranquil gardening-related escape with diverse tree collections including beech, oak, Scots pine, silver fir, larch, and sycamore. Colour-coded looped walks wind through rich understorey flora, ferns, and mosses, with lakes attracting wildlife and picnic spots for reflection. It’s an excellent spot for nature lovers and those interested in forestry and naturalistic planting
Gardens to Visit
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Carlow:
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