CARLOW AND KILDARE GARDENS
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PLEASE NOTE: MAXIMUM 10 |
Cancellation Policy Should we need cancel the tour because of Covid-19, or health advice we will give you a full refund of cost of the tour. |
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Day 1. Saturday, 30th July
Meet at Moyaliffe House at 11am. After Morning teas and a tour of the walled garden (under restoration), proceed to BURTOWN HOUSE & GARDENS, ATHY, CO.KILDARE. The renowned Green Barn restaurant here at Burtown House will be the venue for lunch. The restaurant overlooks the extensive kitchen gardens at Burtown and will enchant you with its food, much of which is sourced straight from the garden or from local producers. We will have a guided tour of the gardens and sculpture garden, much of which has been created by artist Lesley Fennell. Her mother was the well known botanical artist Wendy Walsh. Please note the cost of lunch here will be paid for by tour participants. Retrurn to Moyaliffe House for dinner in the atmospheric old dining room. Organic produce from the walled garden will feature in the dinner. Overnight at Moyaliffe House. Tour participants can enjoy a game of tennis or simply stroll around the 12 acres of grounds and explore the walled garden which is under restoration. |
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Day 2. Sunday, 31st July.
Depart Moyaliffe and proceed to ALTAMONT GARDENS, TULLOW, CO.CARLOW. Widely respected as a jewel in Ireland’s Hoticultural crown, Altamont is a garden which will remain long in the memory. With its towering trees, large lake and riverside walks by the River Slaney, its an impressive place. Added to this are the walled garden with glorious herbaceous borders, the ‘Ice-Age’ Glen and Arboretum. We will have lunch here in the café. There is the always enticing Altamont Plant Sales, a nursery within the walled garden, to add further enjoyment. Proceed to HUNTINGTON CASTLE, CLONEGAL, CO.CARLOW. As soon as you catch a glimpse of Huntington Castle on entering the gates, you feel you are being transported back in time. The Castle has stood here since 1625 when it was constructed as a military garrison on the important Wexford to Dublin route. We will have a guided tour of the castle and then be free to explore the beautiful formal and informal gardens surrounding the castle. Afternoon teas can be enjoyed in the castle courtyard, enhanced by beautifully restored barns and outbuildings. Watch out for the cheeky peacocks who will try to snatch a tasty treat from the plates of unsuspecting visitors! Proceed to the Woodford Dolmen Hotel where we will have dinner and stay overnight. This hotel is conveniently situated on the outskirts of Carlow town and has walks to the Barrow River which flows behind the hotel. |
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Day 3. Monday, 1st August.
Proceed to DUCKETT’S GROVE WALLED GARDENS, CARLOW, CO. CARLOW, having checked out of the Woodford Dolmen Hotel. Although the building where the Duckett family lived for two and a half centuries is now in ruins, its turrets and towers are a potent reminder of how splendid an edifice this once was. Two inter-connecting walled gardens are the focus of recent restoration by the OPW. The Upper Walled Garden is planted with heritage roses, peonies, hardy and tender perennials and interesting shrubs. The Lower Walled Garden contains fruit trees, including historical varieties of Irish apple trees. Long borders are full of shrubs and perennials. In the outer grounds woodland walks, the Ha Ha and veteran trees make for interesting rambling. Proceed to DELTA SENSORY GARDENS, CARLOW, CO.CARLOW. This remarkable collection of gardens came about as a therapeutic benefit for the Delta Centre’s residents with intellectual disabilities. With the help and dedication of award-winning and renowned Garden Designers, the 16 gardens were created with the aim of celebrating the use of natural elements such as stone, water and planting. The resulting experience is one of overwhelming delight in the senses of touch, smell, hearing, taste and visual impact. We will have lunch here in the restaurant or out in the gardens, depending on weather. Proceed to HARDYMOUNT GARDENS, TULLOW, CO.CARLOW. This is a charming, relaxed country garden. The beautiful old residence sits comfortably within 2.5 acres of lawns and shrubs, including an enormous Spanish chestnut tree. The walled garden behind the house is so inviting and chock full of interesting planting. There are espaliered apple trees, a pond with lilies and fish, vegetables and soft fruits and a Summer house at the end of the garden, perfect to sit and relax after wandering through the garden. Return to Moyaliffe House and the end of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: THIS TOUR MAY CHANGE TO INCORPORATE CARLOW GARDEN FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES ONCE THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE IS CONFIRMED. COST PER PERSON: €545 |
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Historic Moyaliffe House is home to your tour leader, Lorna Vallely.
The landscaped grounds of 12 acres surround the house which dates from 1820, a feature of which are the 200 year old Beech, Oak and Lime trees. The grounds also include a Beech walk, the remains of a 12th century Norman castle on top of a motte and the grand water fountain and pond. Another feature of Moyaliffe is its 2 acre walled garden which is listed on Ireland’s Register of Protected Structures. This is currently undergoing restoration with a newly built glasshouse hoping to emulate the Victorian era. There is an orchard planted within the walled garden and vegetables, herbs and soft fruit growing being carried out. The river Clodagh flows along one side of the garden and there are frequent sightings of swans and herons. Rare sightings of Otters along the river cause great excitement! Your comfortable accommodation within Moyaliffe House assures you of garden or river views, dinner if applicable of locally sourced ingredients, often with produce from the walled garden, and a tasty breakfast. Feel free to wander through the grounds or play a game of tennis on the all weather tennis court. |
