- Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum: Located in the picturesque village of Inistioge overlooking the River Nore Valley, this restored Victorian masterpiece is one of Ireland’s finest gardens. Developed in the 19th century and revived by Kilkenny County Council, the grounds include a walled garden with fruit trees, vegetables, and elegant herbaceous borders, a rose garden, terraced displays, a rockery, a recreated Turner Conservatory, and an outstanding arboretum of champion specimen trees from Asia and South America (including Monkey Puzzle and Noble Fir avenues). Tranquil woodland walks, panoramic views, and family-friendly elements make it a magical, year-round destination.
- Rothe House & Garden: In the heart of Kilkenny city, this unique late 16th-century merchant’s complex (Ireland’s only surviving Tudor townhouse on a full burgage plot) features a beautifully restored half-acre walled garden evoking early 17th-century style. Planted with heritage varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit trees, and an orchard, it includes resident ducks and offers a peaceful oasis amid the medieval streets. The garden complements the historic houses and courtyards, providing an authentic glimpse into prosperous merchant life with educational appeal for history and horticulture enthusiasts.
- Kilfane Glen and Waterfall: This pristine romantic-era garden near Thomastown, dating from the 1790s and largely untouched for two centuries, is a picturesque paradise of woodland paths, a tumbling waterfall, rushing stream, and a charming cottage orné. Listed as an Irish Heritage Garden, its naturalistic design features lush greenery, mature trees, and dramatic water features set in wooded countryside, a serene, evocative retreat ideal for those seeking the poetic charm of 18th-century landscape gardening.
- Kilkenny Castle Park and Gardens: Surrounding the iconic 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, these extensive 21-hectare grounds offer free access to magnificent parkland with mature trees, shrubs, and year-round colour. Highlights include exquisite formal gardens with a central fountain, rose beds, and manicured lawns against the castle backdrop, plus woodland paths and a man-made lake added in the 19th century. The blend of historic grandeur and elegant planting creates a romantic, accessible setting perfect for leisurely strolls and seasonal floral displays.
- Jenkinstown Wood and Walled Garden: Just north of Kilkenny city, this former estate park (managed by Coillte) features remnants of 1870s parkland with a small walled garden area, picnic spots, and easy looped trails (including the Walled Garden Loop). Notable for rare surviving trees like Chinese necklace poplars, beech woodlands with spring bluebell carpets, and a commemorative garden honouring poet Thomas Moore (who wrote “The Last Rose of Summer” here), plus a deer enclosure, it offers a delightful mix of naturalistic forestry, historic planting, and family-friendly nature exploration.
Gardens to Visit
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