- Castle Leslie Estate Grounds: This magnificent 1,000-acre estate near Glaslough features ancient woodlands, glittering lakes, and historic garden elements including a restored 1850s walled garden with fruit, vegetables, and ornamental planting. Paths wind through the pinetum (collection of conifers), ruins, a Gothic lodge, and integrated wetlands, providing serene trails with mature trees, native flora, and views of Glaslough Lake, a romantic, family-friendly haven blending heritage horticulture with natural beauty.
- Hilton Park Gardens: Surrounding a grand country house hotel near Clones, this 600-acre estate includes a classic parterre, pleasure grounds, a walled garden with roses and Victorian kitchen elements, magnificent oaks and beeches, and paths leading to a lake. The well-maintained displays evoke traditional Irish estate style, with seasonal colour from borders and specimen trees, offering a tranquil, elegant escape ideal for leisurely appreciation.
- Rossmore Forest Park: This expansive Coillte-managed park near Monaghan town centres on the ruins of Rossmore Castle amid 200 hectares of mature woodland, lakes, and trails. Key features include a restored walled garden, ancient trees (including redwoods), wildflower areas, and picnic spots, with paths winding past sculptures and scenic water views. It’s a wonderful family-oriented spot for naturalistic planting, biodiversity, and relaxed garden-inspired exploration.
- Lough Muckno Leisure Park Grounds: Set in 900 acres of wooded parkland near Castleblayney, this scenic area surrounds Lough Muckno (Monaghan’s largest lake) with peaceful trails, mature trees, seasonal wildflowers, and a dedicated peace garden with picnic areas. The naturalistic landscape, influenced by historic estate planting, provides tranquil walks, wildlife viewing, and subtle horticultural charm amid rolling hills and water.
- Hope Castle Grounds (within Lough Muckno): Adjacent to the leisure park, the grounds around the 18th-century Hope Castle (also known as Blayney Castle) feature remnants of historic parkland with lawns, mature specimen trees, and lakeside paths. The subtle ornamental planting and open vistas create a serene, historic setting, perfect for those seeking understated estate horticulture and peaceful reflection in a scenic location.
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
Monaghan:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
