Gardens, parks and farms

A sense of antiquity prevails as one enters the gates of Ballinlough. Perched on a hill overlooking two lakes, the 17th century castle is the home of Sir John and Lady Nugent. The gardens have been under restoration since 1994 and are now open to the public together with the lakeside and woodland walks.

The walled garden covers 1.2 ha and is divided into four walled sections. On view are herbaceous borders, a grass tennis court, a lilly pond, a rose garden, a herb and soft fruit garden and a well stocked orchard. From the walled gardens, a white door leads to the lakeside walks with the charming water garden and its rustic summerhouse. The walk around the lake affords dramatic views of the castle and its demesne.

Ballinlough Castle Gardens have been restored with assistance of an ERDF grant through the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme, and FÁS Community Employment.

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Contact:
Sir John Nugent
Tel: 046 943 3135

Tea Room
Tel: 046 943 3344
Fax: 046 943 3331

Facilities:
Tea room
Guided tours
Plant sales
Toilets
Limited wheelchair access

Open:
1 May - 30 Sept
Closed 5 - 18 Aug
Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays 12pm - 6pm

Admission:
Adults €6.00
Children €3.50
OAP/Students €5.00
Groups of 20+ €5.00(with guide €6.00)
Groups by arrangement only

History, beauty, fantasy, and atmosphere make Loughcrew a magical experience. In a serene pleasure-garden of vistas and unexpected features, a spirit of mystery and dark history is created by the mighty ancient yew walk, a mediaeval mote and the martyr St. Oliver Plunkett's family church.

Delightful water-gardens lead to a fantasy mill, by the spectacular herbaceous and "hellfire" borders and a formal parterre. Past the "physik" border with cures for unspeakable complaints, the "grotesque" grotto with grassy roof, tortured pillars and weird mythical frescoes guards a hidden rockery with fairy sculptures. Short walks are signed, with good shelter and plentiful information plaques.

Childrens' favourites include the Watermill cascade, hidden reptiles and fairies, giant bugs and spiders lurking in trees; and a small Playground, convenient to the enchanting log-built reception centre - with fresh food, delicious organic coffee, gift shop.

Special events:
Easter Egg Hunt: Easter Saturday and Sunday
Opera in the Garden: 18th & 19th July
Halloween Ghost Weekend: 31st October

Contact:
Charles and Emily Naper
Tel: 049 854 1356
Fax: 049 854 1921
Email: info@loughcrew.com
Web: www.loughcrew.com

Facilities:
Coffee shop
Gift shop
Good wheelchair access

Open:
17 May - 30 Sept
Daily 12.30pm - 5pm
1 Oct - 16 Mar
Sunday & Bank Hols only 1pm - 4.pm

Admission:
Adults €6.00
Children €3.50
Family (2 adults, 6 children) €18.00
OAP €5.00
Groups of 20+ €5.00

Grove Gardens consists of four acres of gardens and features the clematis walk containing over 300 species of small and large flowered hybrids and herbaceous climatic.

The rose garden has over 400 plants of French, English and modern roses.

The tropical bird garden and mini zoo is a recent addition to Grove Gardens. A large variety of exotic and rare breeds of birds are housed in purpose built aviaries designed to become part of the gardens and create a unique setting for such a facility.

Special events:
Easter Egg Hunt: Easter Saturday and Sunday
Christmas Santa: 16th & 23th December

Contact:
Pat Dillon
Tel: 046-9734276
Fax:046-9434276

Facilities:
Tea Room
Picnic areas
Shop and garden centre
Full Wheelchair access
Parking
Toilets

Open:
1 May – 31st July
Wednesday to Sunday
12.00 – 18.00 hours

Admission:
Adult €5.08, Child €3.14
Student / OAP €3.81
Families €12.70
Group by appointment

Lakeview Gardens, have recently being restored to their original old world charm and atmosphere.

Grey stone walls enclose an acre of sloping garden intersected by gravel paths and terraces. Each area is filled with rare and unusual plants, many originating from the famous Shackleton plant collection, and has a distinct planting theme: flower-filled borders with specific colour schemes: sunbaked terraces with planted walls overflowing with colour: a patch planted in the cottage garden style; a woodland shrub walk and artistically grown fruit and vegetables.

Through the traditional whitewashed farmyard and overlooking an old orchard with ancient rose covered apple trees is a small nursery selling plants seen in the garden and often unavailable elsewhere.

The garden and farm, with its flower filled meadows and naturalised bulbs, is worked to organic standards (IOFGA). A converted loft, overlooking the garden, is used for day courses, exhibitions and is available for use by garden visitors.

Contact:
Daphne and Jonathan Shackleton
Tel: 046 924 2480
Fax: 046 924 2406
Email: jshack@indigo.ie
Web: www.lakeviewgardens.net

Facilities:
Perennial plants for sale
Toilets
Lecture room
Indoor and Outdoor Picnic area
Wheelchair access

Open:
1 May - 30 Sept
Fri - Sun & Bank Holidays
2pm - 6pm
Other times by appointment

Admission:
Adults €6.00
Children €3.00
OAP/Students €5.00
Groups of 20+ €5.00