- Irish National Stud & Gardens (including Japanese Gardens and St Fiachra’s Garden): This premier attraction in Tully, near Kildare Town, is home to one of Europe’s finest Japanese Gardens, created between 1906 and 1910 by master horticulturist Tassa Eida. Symbolising the “Life of Man” through a symbolic path from birth to eternity, it features tranquil ponds, bridges, lanterns, waterfalls, exotic trees, and meticulously placed rocks in a peaceful oasis. Complementing it is St Fiachra’s Garden, an inherently Irish design honouring the patron saint of gardeners, with woodland, wetlands, limestone monastic cells, a subterranean fernery, and native plants evoking early monastic landscapes, a perfect blend of Eastern philosophy and Irish natural beauty.
- Castletown House and Parklands: Surrounding Ireland’s earliest and finest Palladian mansion in Celbridge, these extensive 18th-century parklands showcase classic landscape design with river walks along the Liffey, mature tree avenues, follies like Mrs Siddons’ Temple, and the iconic Conolly Folly obelisk framing distant views. While not focused on formal flower beds, the grounds emphasise naturalistic grandeur with woodland paths, historic features, and open parkland, a romantic, expansive setting ideal for leisurely strolls and appreciation of Georgian estate horticulture. Access has been restored after a recent dispute.
- Burtown House and Gardens: This charming family-run estate near Athy features over 12 acres of diverse gardens evolving since the early 20th century. Highlights include large herbaceous borders, shrubberies, a rock garden, yew walk with pergola, sundial garden, walled kitchen garden (in continuous use for over 150 years), an old orchard, and a woodland area rich in candelabra primulas, hostas, ferns, and iris. The gardens burst with seasonal interest from winter aconites and snowdrops to daffodils, hellebores, old roses, peonies, and clematis, a delightful, intimate showcase of organic, productive planting.
- Larchill Arcadian Garden: Near Kilcock, this unique 18th-century “Ferme Ornée” (ornamental farm) is the only surviving near-complete example in Europe. Restored from a lost landscape, the 65-acre parkland features a formal walled garden, Gothicised farmyard, an 8-acre lake encircled by beech and lime avenues, follies, grottoes, gazebo seats, and framed views of the Dublin mountains. The circuitous paths link ornamental buildings, water features, and pastoral elements, a whimsical, historic gem evoking Arcadia’s harmony between nature and art, open seasonally for exploration.
- Bog of Allen Nature Centre Gardens: Located in the heart of the famous Bog of Allen, these wildlife conservation gardens span a peat-free site focused on biodiversity. Designed as a refuge with native flowers, shrubs, habitats, and Ireland’s largest collection of carnivorous plants, they showcase unique bogland flora, educational displays, and trails through peatland ecology. The naturalistic planting highlights rare species and sustainable horticulture, an inspiring spot for those interested in native Irish ecosystems and environmental gardening.
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
Kildare:
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 –
