- The National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh. A satellite garden of the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, Kilmacurragh is a magnificent 19th-century Victorian-era arboretum and pleasure garden. Nestled in a rain-rich valley, its acidic soil creates perfect conditions for a spectacular collection of rhododendrons, magnolias, and conifers. The atmosphere is wild and romantic, with champion trees, historic plant collections from the Himalayas and the Antipodes, and the haunting ruins of the old Kilmacurragh House. It is a plant hunter’s paradise and a living testament to Victorian horticultural passion.
- Rokeby Hall & Woodland Gardens. This is a hidden gem offering a delightful contrast between formal design and naturalistic planting. The charming walled garden features traditional herbaceous borders, a rose garden, and a productive kitchen garden laid out in a classic geometric pattern. Beyond the walls, visitors can explore serene woodland walks along the banks of the River Boyne, where naturalised spring bulbs and shade-loving plants thrive. The combination of manicured elegance and peaceful riverside woodland makes for a wonderfully varied visit.
- Ardgillan Castle Demesne & Walled Garden. Perched on a ridge with breathtaking views over the Irish Sea to the Mourne Mountains, Ardgillan’s setting is unparalleled. The restored Victorian Walled Garden is the centrepiece, divided into ‘rooms’ including a fragrant rose garden, a colourful perennial border, and a tranquil lawn. The wider demesne offers parkland, a conservatory with tender plants, and themed trails. The synergy between the formal garden, the romantic castle, and the dramatic coastal panorama is its defining characteristic.
- Ballinlough Castle Gardens. The gardens of this romantic Georgian castle are celebrated for their naturalistic lakeside setting and rare trees. The circuit walk takes visitors past the tranquil lake, through an ancient woodland garden, and across parkland grazed by deer. It is particularly renowned for its outstanding collection of mature rhododendrons and azaleas, which create a spectacular blaze of colour in late spring, reflected in the water. The overall effect is one of serene, pastoral beauty with a focus on harmonious landscape design.
- The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre Gardens. Offering a unique historical perspective, the ornamental gardens here are set within the restored 18th-century walled garden of the Oldbridge Estate. The design incorporates formal parterre patterns inspired by the Williamite and Jacobite periods of the 1690s, using period-appropriate plants and symbolic colour schemes. Adjacent to the site of the famous battle, these gardens provide a living, horticultural interpretation of history, complemented by the surrounding parkland and access to the River Boyne walkways.
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
Meath:
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