LAOIS AND WATERFORD 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. Wednesday, 24th August.
Meet at Moyaliffe House at 11am. After morning teas, depart for Carrick-on-Suir for lunch at Meadows & Byrne Shopping village. Proceed from here to MOUNT CONGREVE GARDENS, KILMEADEN, CO. WATERFORD. Mount Congreve is deservedly considered to be one of Ireland’s horticultural gems. The estate, now belonging to the Irish state, covers an area of 70 acres and is home to one of the largest private plant collections in the world. Creator Ambrose Congreve loved mass plantings and they are found in abundance here. The setting alongside the River Suir is second to none. Return to Moyaliffe House where we will have dinner in the atmospheric old dining room, with produce from the walled garden featuring. Stay overnight at Moyaliffe House. |
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Day 2. Thursday, 25th August, 2022.
Proceed to CAPPOQUIN HOUSE AND GARDENS, CAPPOQUIN, CO.WATERFORD. The 18th century house has been in the Keane family since 1735. After being destroyed in the Civil War, it was rebuilt in the 1920’s. The gardens were laid out in the middle of the 19th century. They have the advantage of facing south, with views over the Blackwater River valley. A feature is the collection of old Rhododendrons, Camellias, Magnolias and Azaleas. We will enjoy a garden talk here by the head gardener and morning teas. Proceed to DROMANA HOUSE AND GARDENS, CAPPOQUIN, CO. WATERFORD. This historic property has a rich history of over 800 years. Dromana House sits high on a rocky outcrop with spectacular views of the Blackwater River. The gardens are a series of terraces with breath-taking views of the river and mountains. The wilder parts of the gardens can be explored by looped walks. We will enjoy lunch here in the historic dining room, or in the garden, weather permitting, as well as a guided tour of the house. Return to Moyaliffe House. Dinner at Parkers Restaurant, Holycross, Co.Tipperary, close to Moyaliffe House. Please note the cost of this dinner will be at participants expense. Stay overnight at Moyaliffe House. |
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Day 3. Friday, 26th August, 2022.
Depart Moyaliffe House for FRUITLAWN GARDEN, ABBEYLEIX, CO. LAOIS. This is the home garden of renowned Garden Designer, Arthur Shackleton. The garden was designed around an original stone building and a walled-in garden of about an acre. Today, there are several ‘garden rooms’, with a hornbeam tunnel a special feature. There are beautiful climbing roses growing against the honey coloured stone. Richly planted perennial borders are alive with colour and are also a magnet for bees and butterflies. We will enjoy a guided garden tour here with Arthur. Proceed from here to have lunch in the heritage town of Abbeyleix nearby. After lunch we proceed to HEYWOOD GARDENS, BALLINAKILL, CO. LAOIS. These gardens consist of 50 acres of woodland, lakes and the gardens designed by the renowned Garden Designer, Edwin Lutyens. This is a rare example of his work in Ireland and it is a remarkably beautiful achievement. The gardens were completed in 1912 but now stand alone without the residence which was lost to fire. The centrepiece is undoubtedly the sunken garden, elliptical in shape, and quite delightful with the pond and turtle fountains, tiers of planting and stone summer house. We depart Heywood Gardens and proceed to Moyaliffe House and the end of the tour. 
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COST PER PERSON: €600 All tour costs include garden entry and guided tour fees, mini-bus transport, twin / double shared accommodation, most meals, morning and afternoon teas. All tours start and finish at Moyaliffe House, Ballycahill, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, E41HX59, Ireland. |
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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. |
