VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at county Clare’s Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre

Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre, located in Kilrush, County Clare, is a beautifully restored 2.158-acre walled garden set within 170 hectares of native woodland in Kilrush Wood, just 2 km from Kilrush town. Once part of the Vandeleur family’s 19th-century Kilrush House estate, this award-winning attraction (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice) offers a serene botanical experience steeped in history.

Walled Garden: The garden, restored since 1997, showcases a rich array of exotic and tender plants thriving in the area’s unique western-latitude microclimate, including magnolias, acacias, acers, oaks, monkey puzzle trees, bamboo, ferns, banana trees, and hydrangeas. Notable features include a horizontal beech maze trained in espalier style, a charming summer house, a Victorian-style glasshouse for propagating unusual plants, and a Vandeleur Crest port-hole feature. The garden’s design blends historical elements with modern landscaping, offering a visual feast for gardeners and nature lovers. A flat maze and giant outdoor chess set are particularly popular with children.
Interpretive Centre: The visitor centre, housed in a refurbished stable block, features an audio-visual presentation and exhibits on the Vandeleur family’s legacy, including their contributions to Kilrush and their complex role in the region’s history during the landlord era. Guided tours (daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.) led by welcoming staff like Ger provide engaging insights into this history, while self-guided tours allow visitors to explore at their own pace. The centre also displays agricultural machinery from the Vandeleur period, adding a historical dimension.
Woodland Trails: Adjacent to the garden, the Coillte Outdoors Forest Recreation Area offers tranquil woodland trails through 420 acres of native oak, ash, and hazel, ideal for walking, running, or relaxing. A free weekly Parkrun (5km) takes place every Saturday, welcoming locals and visitors to challenge the clock. Picnic tables are scattered throughout for al fresco dining.
Amenities: The Brambles Woodland Café (formerly Woodland Bistro) serves hearty breakfasts, light lunches, homemade scones, and acclaimed carrot cake, with indoor and outdoor seating for 140. The gift shop offers handcrafted jewelry, local scenic prints, and garden accessories, while the plant sales area features shrubs, trees, and herbs grown on-site, including rare varieties like Sarcococca confusa, replanted by descendants Peter and Wendy Vandeleur. The site includes accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities, and extensive free parking for cars and coaches. The garden and café are partially wheelchair-accessible, with wide gravel paths and an accessible restroom, though some areas will be uneven. Assistance dogs are permitted, and the site is family-friendly, with a recommended visit duration of 2–3 hours.
Atmosphere and Activities: Described as a “hidden gem,” Vandeleur offers a peaceful retreat with meticulously maintained gardens and a fairy-tale ambiance, evoking Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. Visitors praise the friendly staff, vibrant flora, and kid-friendly features like the maze and playground. The site hosts events like art exhibitions, historical lectures, and family fun days, with a notable Easter trail featuring egg-and-spoon races and appearances by the Easter Bunny. The garden is ideal for picnics, strolls, or simply soaking in the natural beauty, especially from April to October when blooms peak.
Practical Information: Admission is €7 for adults (over 18), €5 for children (over 5), and free for under 5s, including access to the garden, interpretive centre, and tours. Local passes offer unlimited entry for 12 months (€20 one-person, €35 two-person, €50 family). The garden is open April–August (10 a.m.–7 p.m.), September–March (9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), and closed December 24–January 2. TFI Local Link’s 337 bus serves the site from Kilrush or Ennis via Kildysart. Visitors should wear weather-appropriate clothing, as the garden is mostly outdoors, and check vandeleurwalledgarden.ie for updates.

What’s New: at Vandeleur Walled Gardens

New Interpretive Museum and Café: Following a €2.6m redevelopment (funded by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Clare County Council), a new interpretive museum opened in 2023 in the restored stable block, enhancing the historical narrative of the Vandeleur family and Kilrush., the Brambles Café chain, awarded the catering contract in June 2024, operates a new 140-seat indoor/outdoor café and restaurant, enabling corporate and festive events. This has created 10 new permanent jobs, boosting the local economy.
Event Calendar Expansion: The 2025 calendar promises new events, building on past successes like the June 2023 Open Weekend with enlightening talks. Visitors are encouraged to check vandeleurwalledgarden.ie and social media for updates on art exhibitions, family fun days, and seasonal activities like the Easter trail.
Accessibility and Ancillary Improvements: A recent €245,000 investment has enhanced accessibility with upgraded paths and facilities, making the garden more inclusive for visitors with mobility challenges. These improvements align with the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030, aiming to position Vandeleur as a top-tier heritage attraction