16 Botanical Gardens to Explore in Leinster

This romantic 16-hectare estate, features a mix of native and exotic plants and makes a great destination for a family outing. You will have a wonderful experience at any time of the year, as different plants flourish throughout the spring, summer and autumn, and the trees show off their striking silhouettes during the winter. From the Altamont Garden, there are spectacular views of the Blackstairs Mountains, Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster.

Famine Memorial Garden is a garden in Kilkenny. It is situated northwest of Sionhermitage, close to John and Patrick Saul Memorial. It has has four parts: the potato field, the Famine kitchen, the workhouse door and the emigrant ship.The memorial builds on work done by a local cross-community group in restoring a Famine graveyard nearby and followed the earlier creation in 2010 of a Garden of the Celtic Saints at the church.

Killruddery House is a large country house on the southern outskirts of Bray in County Wicklow, Ireland, approximately 20 km south of Dublin. The present structure is a south facing multi-bay mansion, originally dating from the 17th century, but remodelled and extended in 1820 in the Elizabethan style. It is constructed as variously single, two, three and four storeys in the shape of an irregular quadrangle enclosing a courtyard.

A walled garden by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, completed in 1912. There is an elliptical garden with a central oval pool and so more.The gardens are composed of elements linked by a terrace that originally ran along the front of the house. One of the site’s most unusual featureas is a sunken garden containing an elongated pool, at whose centre stands a grand fountain.

A beautiful example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné. Tiny bridges sit among ancient trees, wild fox-gloves, ferns and other historically correct 18th century planting.The garden is listed as an Irish Heritage garden and was awarded assistance in 1993 by the European Union Cultural Commission.

Killruddery House is a large country house on the southern outskirts of Bray in County Wicklow, Ireland, approximately 20 km south of Dublin. The present structure is a south facing multi-bay mansion, originally dating from the 17th century, but remodelled and extended in 1820 in the Elizabethan style. It is constructed as variously single, two, three and four storeys in the shape of an irregular quadrangle enclosing a courtyard.

Mount Usher is recognised at home and abroad as one of the earliest and finest examples of a ‘Robinsonian’ garden. Extending to 22 acres, it combines a champion collection of trees and shrubs with inspirational floral planting schemes along both sides of the River Vartry. It feature water as an essential part of the scenery, with cascades and suspension bridge visible from many sections. Winding paths lead visitors on a journey through groves and glades and on to the river banks.

The National Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden in Glasnevin, 5 km north-west of Dublin city centre, Ireland.The 19.5 hectares are situated between Glasnevin Cemetery and the River Tolka where it forms part of the river's floodplain. They house approximately 20,000 living plants and many millions of dried plant specimens. There are several architecturally notable greenhouses.

This is a botanic garden outside Wicklow Town, County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a satellite of the main National Botanic Gardens located in Glasnevin, County Dublin. The 52 acre gardens are situated 5km from exit 18 on the M11 motorway. It is now part of the National Botanic Gardens, providing a complementary collection of plants to its parent garden at Glasnevin. Arrive in spring to witness the transformation of the walks, as fallen rhododendron blossoms form a stunning magenta carpet.

This is one of the world’s great gardens set against the backdrop of the great Sugarloaf Mountain and is located 20km south of Dublin City Centre. The house, originally a 13th-century castle, was extensively altered during the 18th century by German architect Richard Cassels, starting in 1731 and finishing in 1741. The Gardens stretch over 47 acres and offer visitors a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statues and ornamental lakes, secret hollows and rambling walks.

Located in the heart of Kilkenny City and situated at the mid point of the Medieval Mile is one of Irelands true hidden gems. The complex was built by John Rothe Fitz-Piers between 1594–1610 and is made up of three houses, three enclosed courtyards, and a large reconstructed garden with orchard. As a museum, it is accessible to the public. The garden to the rear of the house has been reconstructed to reflect a typical 17th-century garden.

Shekina is situated in the centre of Co. Wicklow, in the townland of Kirikee which is locally considered as the gateway to the wild Glenmalure Valley. It is set within a one acre garden, which includes an undulating stream running through it feeding two ponds. There is a gazebo and various seating areas for visitors to sit back and relax in this peaceful area.

St. Fiachra's Garden was created to celebrate the Millenium at the Irish National Stud. St Fiachra is the Patron Saint of Gardeners and the garden seeks to capture his love of nature. There is a strong focus on rock and water. A Waterford Crystal sculpture in the floor of the hermitage reflects the rocks, ferns and other natural elements of the surrounding garden.Water, trees and rocks are the basic natural elements within which the garden was created.

This is a country house which was originally built in the mid 1650s. It is probably the largest castle in Ireland that is still used as a family home. The house is surrounded by twelve acres of parkland and gardens, including woodland gardens and walled gardens laid out in the early 19th century with a limestone grotto and ornamental lakes. It attracts a lot of tourists here and also it is a mindblowing location.

Victor's Way, located near Roundwood, County Wicklow, Ireland, is a privately owned meditation garden notable for its black granite sculptures. Covering 22 acres, the park includes a series of dancing figures of Ganesh, Shiva, and other Hindu deities. Most of the park's statues are made of black granite, with some in bronze and range in height from 1.5m to 4.9m.

The beautiful Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located overlooking the River Nore Valley and the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens date to the 1740's with the main development taking place in the 1800's. The gardens are home to a mix of formal and informal gardens with an arboretum, walled garden, terraced garden, yew walk and rose garden providing the main interest.