- Powerscourt House & Gardens: Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s finest (voted No. 3 by National Geographic), this magnificent 47-acre estate near Enniskerry features sweeping formal terraces cascading to an ornamental lake with winged horse statues, an exquisite Italian Garden, a serene Japanese Garden, vibrant herbaceous borders, ancient trees, secret hollows, and dramatic views framed by the Sugarloaf Mountain, a breathtaking blend of grand design and natural splendour.
- Mount Usher Gardens: A romantic 22-acre riverside paradise in Ashford, laid out in the naturalistic Robinsonian style along the River Vartry since 1868. Visitors can enjoy winding paths, elegant suspension bridges, waterfalls, champion specimen trees and shrubs from around the world, lush floral displays, and peaceful glades that create an enchanting, harmonious atmosphere of tranquillity and botanical richness.
- National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh: This historic 52-acre satellite of Ireland’s National Botanic Gardens near Wicklow Town boasts one of the finest collections of rare and tender trees, shrubs, conifers, and rhododendrons in Europe, set amid wildflower meadows, double herbaceous borders, ancient woodlands, and serene walks. Free to enter year-round, it offers a peaceful, scientific, and scenic celebration of Ireland’s botanical heritage.
- Killruddery House & Gardens: One of Ireland’s oldest surviving French-Baroque gardens near Bray, dating from the 17th century, this elegant estate features symmetrical formal layouts, long canal pools, beech hedges, an ornate orangery, woodland walks, and seasonal planting within a grand historic demesne. The structured terraces and avenues provide a rare glimpse of classical European gardening tradition in an Irish setting.
- Hunting Brook Gardens: A contemporary and inspirational private garden near Blessington, created by acclaimed plantsman Jimi Blake, showcasing bold prairie-style planting, dramatic perennial borders, exotic and unusual species, winding paths through diverse habitats, and year-round interest with a focus on texture, colour, and ecological harmony, a must-visit for modern garden enthusiasts seeking creativity and plant discovery.
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
Wicklow:
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