Features:
The Derreen gardens in Lauragh were planted over a hundred years ago by the fifth Lord Landsdowne in the grounds of his Dereen residence. Situated in Lauragh and known as the Rainforest of Kerry, the gardens are famed for the ferns, bamboo, magnolia and eucalyptus trees which grow here due to the mild temperatures experienced in this region.The gardens boast a wealth of sub-tropical plants and flowers. You can take one of the planned walks through the glades of eucalyptus, giant blue gums and bamboo, which thrive in the soft Kerry climate, and wonder at 43m (140-ft) giant red Cedars.

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Location:
Ilnacullin, alias Garinish - an garden island lying in a sheltered inlet of Bantry Bay. It should be noted that the exorbitant boat fares to the island from Glengariff do not include admission charges into the garden.

Features:
Blessed with spectacular sea and mountain scenery as well as a balmy climate brought by the equatorial waters of the Gulf Stream, this thirty-seven acre island has a seductive mixture of formal and informal gardens superbly filled with a rich and wonderful variety of plant forms and colour.

Perhaps the most magical setting a garden could have is to be on an island, bathed in warm waters of the gulf stream, surrounded by scenery of great natural beauty; such is the situation of Ilnacullin. The Italian garden designed by Harold Peto, the Martello tower, the clock tower, a Grecian temple overlooking the sea, flights of steps and magnificent pedimented gateways: all these superb architectural features are brilliantly integrated with a plant collection of worldwide repute. The island is reached by licensed boats from Glengarriff.

It was purchased in 1910 from the War Office by John Annan Bryce (1874-1924), a Belfast businessman and Scottish MP. Bryce commissioned the English architect and horticulturists Harold Peto (1854-1933) to design a garden on the island.

Peto's use of Italian Renaissance architecture and his adaption of the picturesque formal style of gardening, made popular by the famous Lutyens and Jekyll partnership, proved to be brilliantly successful in this island setting although it was nearly a generation later before his work would be fully appreciated. Boats brining visitors to sample the delights of Ilnacullin pass basking seals on the journey and arrive at the north side of the island. The route from here up to the Italian gardens winds past some outstanding plants.

Without warning the visitor suddenly arrives in the wisteria-covered colonnades of the Italian Garden Casita.

A broad flight of steps leads up to the Martello tower, built in 1805 on the highest point of the island ; here one has a delightful panorama of the whole garden and landscape beyond. There is no tea house on the island, so visitors should come with a plentiful picnic and be prepared to spend much of the day in this enchanted place.

• Guided Tours: Self-guiding booklet and self guiding trails
  
• Leaflet/Guide Booklet: English, Irish, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
  
• Separate charge imposed by boat operators.
  
• Facilities: Toilets, disabled toilet .
  
• Restaurant/Tearooms: Coffee shop and light snacks.

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Location:
Just South of Glengariff on the Bantry Road

Features:
The Park is a work in progress and not yet a mature garden. Most of the bamboo you see here are giant bamboo. Each year, their size increases. How tall and broad can they become? Only the future can tell, depending entirely on local soil and climate conditions. This experiment continues a horticultural tradition which has already given Glengarriff an international reputation. The Bamboo Park will now add to its treasures.
Since the beginning of human civilisation in Mesopotamia - the Garden of Eden, the palm has become a symbol of life and an important element of cultural and religious practice. Some of the palms you can see here are already substantial. Phoenix canariensis, Phoenix dactylifera, Washingtonia robusta, Chamaerops humilis, and of courseTrachycarpus fortunei, are among these. Others are of a more modest size. You will see, maybe for the first time,Trachycarpus takil, native of Mount Takil in north of India where it is almost extinct. Trachycarpus martianus is a native of north-east India where it grows at an altitude of almost 1600m.

Tree Ferns are probably the oldest plants in the world. They go back to the Palaeozoic era (600-245 million years ago) long before the Dinosaurs, which disappeared 65 million years ago. They saw their extinction and that of many other species of flora and fauna during their evolution. Native to Tasmania and South Australia, the species Dicksonia antarctica grows particularly well, even seeding itself, in the shady coastal gardens of South West Ireland.

• 30 different species of Bamboo
• 12 different species of Palm trees
  
• Superb coastal woodland walks
  
• Unique views of Glengarriff Harbour
  
• The 13 mysterious pillars
  
• Bamboo gift shop,
  
• Wheelchair access,
  
• Toilets,
  
• Free car and mini-coach parking

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Contact Information:
Muckross House, The Killarney National Park, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Tel:064 31440 Fax:064 33926
www.muckross-house.ie

Queen Victoria paid a visit here, to the Herbert family, in 1861. The House was later owned, in turn, by Lord Ardilaun (of the Guinness family) and by the Bourn Vincents. Today, many of the rooms in this magnificent mansion have been restored to their original Victorian splendour.

Between the months of April and July, Muckross Gardens are spectacularly adorned with the red and pink flowers of mature Rhododendrons. Other garden features include a Sunken Garden, a Rock Garden and a Stream Garden. An Arboretum, containing many trees from the Southern Hemisphere, was established here in 1972.

The Walled Garden Centre, at Muckross, was officially opened in April 2000. Since then, the centre has become a popular destination in its own right. Designed to form an integral part of the world famous Muckross Gardens, the centre opens out onto the Victorian Walled Garden. It is further complemented by the recreation of a mid 19th century parterre* and recently restored Edwardian Glasshouses. The Centre incorporates the Garden Restaurant, Mucros Craft Shop and the three Mucros Craft Workshops. The Garden Restaurant offers excellent menu choices, while Mucros Craft Shop offers an extensive range of quality giftware. Handcrafted items from Mucros Pottery, Mucros Weaving and Mucros Conservation Bookbinding are also on sale here.

* Parterre - a level garden space with flower-beds arranged ornamentally.

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The focus of the garden is a very pleasant Regency house, circa 1820, with wide eaves and a deep semi circular bow. From the lawns in front of the house, the visitor follows a straight gravel walk leading down to the pier. The waters of the pond and mill race contain Arum lilies while their banks support much exotic foliage, includ ing the prickly rhubarb Gunnera manicata whose leaves unfurl into huge impressive umbrellas. Other plantings comprise the New Zealand cabbage tree Cordyline australis and the New Zealand flax Phormium tenax, both of which are conspicuous features of gardens in this part of Ireland. The tree fern Dicksonia antarctica is also native of New Zealand, while varieties of Hydrangeas provide colour along Creagh's waterside in late summer.

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With the help of the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme, extensive restoration of the gardens started in 1997. Drains were found and reactivated, pathways surfaced, the 100 steps (see picture right) repaired to name but a few of the works carried out. The gardens are laid out over seven terraces, the last four linked by a monumental flight of steps atop 100 stairs (the "Stairway to the Sky) - the only one in Ireland. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of Bantry Bay and the surrounding islands and mountains.

The house itself sits on the third terrace. It's drawing rooms facing north overlooking 14 circular flowerbeds and Bantry Bay. 45 acres in total, the gardens and grounds are a wonderful mix of formal and informal. Arranged over seven levels, highlights include the Italiante garden with its formal yew and box hedging and elevated ancient Wisteria Circle. The Shelswell-White family strives to base all activities in the garden, where practicable, on organic principles.

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The design includes quiet walks and areas of contemplation as well as Art work by James Turrell, in the form of the Irish Sky Garden. Follow the suggested routes experiencing the beauty, wonder and tranquility of these gardens. The garden will reach maturity in 30 to 50 years time.

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Features: Not strictly a garden, as the name suggests, but it certainly encompasses several gardens along with hundreds of acres of moorland and forest to wander around at will. There can't be many tourist attractions where the entrance is near the top of a mountain and you drive down several hundred feet to the Visitor Centre. You can pass most of the day happily here, and there are good catering facilities, but be prepared to walk a few miles during the day. There are strategically located rain shelters.

• Ornamental Gardens
• Sensory Garden
• Tertiary Garden
• Music Garden
• Artificial Lake and Crannóg
• Picnic Area
• Audio-Visual Display
• Water Features

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Features:
Not a garden, but of interest to gardeners.
Farran Forest Park is 53 hectares in area, and together with the nearby Looney's Wood, forms a mere fragment of the once extensive Farran Demesne, owned in ascendancy times by Captain Clarke - a family name which is also associated with a popular tabacco. The demesne passed to a Captain Matthews, who converted the pasture land to woodland. Captain Matthews was a keen sportsman and besides planting stands of common coniferous species, also planted carefully sited broom, laurel and rhododendron to provide cover and food for the game birds, which he released in the woods.

Old red sandstone forms the bedrock under Farran Wood, but there are relatively few outcrops. The bedrock is thickly covered with soil carried to the area and eventually deposited by retreating glaciers about 25,000 years ago. These soils are now being eroded by waves in the reservoir, which became part of the Lee hydroelectric scheme in the mid-1950s. The diversity of tree species in Farran Wood, the great vistas of surrounding mountains and the placid waters of the Lee reservoir combine to form an area of great natural beauty and a ready amenity for all visitors. The lake in the parkland is not a natural feature.

The walk around Farran Forest is about 2km in total.

The Park contains stands of coniferous trees and mixed woodland. The main species are Japanese larch, Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir, beech, ash, oak, sycamore and maple.There are carefully sited clumps of broom, laurel and rhododendron. The Park is rich in both animal and bird life. A wildlife enclosure supports a variety of wildfowl and mammals including a herd of red deer.

There is an ecology display housed in the restored hunting lodge. Children's adventure playground, wildlife enclosure, scenic views, walks and trails.

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Features:
Known as the most romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont is an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens located on a 100 acre estate. Whilst still little known, it ranks in the top ten of Irish gardens and is often referred to as 'the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown' Lawns are bisected by sculpted yews sloping down to a romantic lake surrounded by rare trees, rhododendrons and shrubs. A profusion of roses, old fashioned and modern, and herbaceous plants scent the air.

A fascinating walk through the Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks leads to the majestic River Slaney. Along the River Walk, you may see salmon and trout rising, perhaps even an otter, and throughout the garden, an abundance of birds and butterflies. On your return via the Hill Walk, there are wonderful views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster.

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Features:
A creeper-covered 18th century house and walled garden form part of this wild garden, which began in the 1700s and was mentioned in Arthur Young's tour of Ireland in the 1770s. The later garden was the creation of R.A. Grove Annsley, grandfather of the present owner. Three areas of contrast comprise the 30 acres; the walled garden, the glen, and the riverside garden. The Robinsonian garden in the glen contains some of the earliest Kingdon Ward rhododendron introductions to Ireland, many of them grown from seed.

Rhododendrons and azaleas cover the area much as they would in an Himalayan setting, perfuming the air and growing amid tall trees. The river garden leans more to the tropical and contains such specimens as Primula florindae grow to tremendous size. Rustic bridges cross the river, constructed by pre WWI British soldiers stationed at Fermoy barracks. A central path flanked by herbaceous borders comprises a key feature of the walled garden. Here scarlet-flowered Tropaeolum (creeping nasturtium) climbs through yew hedges. A summer house adds to the quiet look and is complemented by a pond surrounded by water-loving plants.

There are few gardens anywhere in Ireland where rare trees and shrubs are grown so successfully and in such a harmonious setting as the beautiful Robinsonian garden of Annes Grove. Set on a sloping site around an elegant early eighteenth-century house overlooking the River Awbeg, the thirty-acre garden is filled with thousands of thriving plants in a layout that merges unobtrusively into the landscape. In front of the house stretches a parkland with some fine trees; nearby is a walled garden with herbaceous borders, yew walk, rock garden and water garden; beyond in an extensive woodland garden noted for its rhododendrons; and down below in a wooded limestone gorge is a lovely river garden with an island, stony rapids, rustic bridges and a lush tapestry of green foliage.
Some trees still survive at Annes Grove from the formal layout associated with the early eighteenth-century house, then known as Ballyhemock, that Lieutenant-General Grove Annesley built here on land he had inherited from the Grove family. The informal park was created in the late eighteenth century, but after this date only minor alterations occurred at Annes Grove until 1900 when Richard Grove Annesley (1879-1966) came of age and inherited the property. Over the next sixty years he was to develop Annes Grove into one of the great gardens of Ireland.

Richard Grove Annesley's interest in gardening may have originally stemmed from visits to Castlewellan where his cousin, the fifth Earl of Annesley, had created one of the greatest arboreta of the age; but it was his lifelong friendship with the fourth Marquis of Headford, one of the great garden enthusiasts of his time, that encouraged Grove Annesley to develop his knowledge of plants. Headford was a personal friend and patron of the plant collector George Forrest, and following his example Grove Annesley joined in the sponsorship of plant hunting expeditions to the Himalayas and beyond. Seeds collected by Forrest and Kingdon Ward, notably rhododendrons, duly arrived back at Annes Grove, and these together with numerous plants exchanged with other gardens were used to create a garden in the 'wild' style initiated by William Robinson-the eminent Irish gardener and writer who advocated suiting the garden to the terrain and the plant to the location. After the death of Grove Annesley in 1966, the formidable task of maintaining the gardens fell upon his son, the late E. P. Grove Annesley, and are now being successfully conserved by his grandson, Patrick Grove Annesley, the present owner of Annes Grove.

The visitor will first notice the Victorian plantings. Along the avenue are some fine mature trees, including an Abies magnifica from California at least sixty-six-feet high and a Japanese Yezo spruce (Picea jezoensis) some fifty-feet tall. Close to the house is a fine Cedrus deodara from the Himalayas underplanted with cyclamen, a huge Rhododendron ponticum and a variety of interesting shrubs, many from South America, bordering a spacious lawn. The house front itself is covered with the evergreen Euonymus fortunei and the deciduous Actinidia chinesis, notable for its heart-shaped leaves and cup-shaped white flowers in summer.

The Walled Garden, formerly devoted to kitchen produce, was transformed by Richard Grove Annesley in 1907 into a large ornamental garden. He laid a path across the allotment, focusing upon a Victorian summer house that stands on a mound, and along this path made a lovely double herbaceous border backed with yew hedges. In fact, the building is off-centre from the path-a miscalculation that is concealed by the presence, at the end, of a pair of Lawson cypresses (Chamaecyparis 'Erecta Viridis'). The creation of this path, which crossed the old axial path through the garden, helped to divide the area up into a number of separate compartments ñ each developed individually by Grove Annesley. Within these compartments he created a small rose garden, the box-edged 'Ribbon beds' filled with annuals ñ notably mixed petunias, a pergola with vines, honeysuckle, clematis and rambling roses-and a series of borders containing perennials and shrubs. The most astonishing feature here, however, is the Water Garden. Laid out around a serpentine pool, it proffers a wealth of aquatic and marginal plants: hostas, rodgersias, libertias, sagittarias, nymphaeas as well as irises, astilbes and bergenias-all contributing to an almost tropical atmosphere in this secluded part of the garden.
From the wild garden in miniature, the visitor proceeds on to the rather larger, wild Woodland Garden. This is approached along the Dublin Drive, laid down in 1854, where the elegant white-flowering dogwood Cornus kousa chinensis flourishes. It has been suggested that this shrub may be one of the original introductions of the plant from China in 1907. Further down the drive, passing honaria, pieris and Myrtus apiculata shrubs, the visitor enters the Rhododendron Garden which was begun in 1906 when Grove Annesley discovered an area of acidic soil. Most of the rhododendrons are species rather than hybrids and many come from seed introduced from China and the Himalayas by Kingdon Ward. They range in size and colour from whites to blues to reds, with many fine R. cinnabarinum and R. griersonianum. From the Woodland Garden there is a winding path down into the gorge, passing fine specimens of Wilson and Watson magnolias, a drooping Juniperus recurva 'Castlewellan' and a large Azara microphylla, one of a number of fine azaras intermixed with rhododendrons in these woods.

The Water Garden in the gorge was begun in 1902 when Richard Grove Annesley employed a battalion of soldiers from the nearby barracks of Fermoy to divert the Awbeg River so that it flowed closer to the house. They created an island, built weirs and rapids and later constructed bridges to span the river. Statuesque conifers were planted in the glen and screens of bamboo encouraged by the waterside together with gunnera, day lilies, polygonums, phormiums, rodgersias and astilbes. Among the primula cultivars that line the riverside walks is a huge bed of Primula florindae. This giant cowslip variety, with large heads of pendant, bell-shaped, sulphur-yellow flowers, was introduced by Frank Kingdon Ward in the 1920s and named after Richard Grove Annesley's wife, Florinda. It remains one of the showpieces of this quite remarkable garden.

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Features:
The origins of this 6 acre Robinsonian-style garden dates back to the turn of the century when Richard Henrik Beamish laid out the Gardens with a number of distinguishing features including a bog garden and an unusual arched Irish Yew walk, which has Cordyline Australis "Cabbage Trees" from New Zealand interplanted between the Irish Yews.

Richard Beamish also laid out a woodland garden which includes many unusual trees from all areas of the world, most of which came through the collectors based at Glasnevin Botanical Gardens, Dublin and Kew Botanical Gardens, London. Richard Beamish was a great plantsman and recognised as such by many articles. He was credited with the name Meconopsis Beamishii, a beautiful yellow flowering poppy which originated at Ashbourne in 1906 and flowered till 1914 (New seedlings have been established from seed procured from the Irish Garden Plant Society).

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Features:
The Dunloe Castle Gardens contain one of the most fascinating and important collections of trees and shrubs in Ireland. In fact, there are trees gowing here that are rarely, if at all found, in Britain or indeed Europe. The most ancient trees are the two Yews known as Adam and Eve in the Walled Garden which are between 300 and 350 years old. Most others however, have been planted this century, the majority during the 1920's by Howard Harrington, an American who lived in the old house at Dunloe Castle for almost twenty years.

Many of the trees Harrington planted were rare of in other ways unusual like the Chinese Pond Cypress by the stream whilst others such as the Monterey pines down the Avenue served a more mundane role, that of windbreaks. Fortunately, a great number of these trees not ony survive but continue in good health and a tour of the more interesting specimens is an educational experience but also very enjoyable.

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Features:
The garden takes advantage of the natural features of the Woodland and River setting. The Ovane River flows through the 3 acre garden. Part of the garden is an island and is accessible via footbridge and stepping stones.

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Features:
A tranquil and relaxing 2 acre garden with "islands" of trees, flowers and shrubs encircled by wild grass and bark paths, surrounded by a river and mill stream, and accessible only by unique bridges. Stroll by the river and enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterfalls or relax in the Portico with is 40 foot mural of a Mediteranean scene, overlooking the pond with Italian style columns and the rippling mill stream. Other features include woodland, wet garden, natural rock garden, patio, etc.

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Features:
A garden of many moods and aspects overlooking Dunmanus Bay. Growth in the garden is virually eleven months of the year and advatage has been taken of the benign climate to plant a very diverse range of plants from all over the world with considerable emphasis on Southern Hempisphere plants. A new Mediteranean feel has been given to the Eastern end of the garden ad allowed us to further develop our passion for exotic plants ... Collections of Sorbus, Hostas and Acers, and a tranquil woodland area. As featured on TV and in several national and international publications. Unusual plants for sale. Teas available next door.

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Features:
This 4-1/2 acre organic garden stands on the outskirts of the popular fishing village of Baltimore overlooking Church Strand Bay. The pretty couryard leads you onto peaceful herb gardens, a productive potager, a cutting garden with many unusual annuals and perennials and a beautiful old wildflower meadow running along the seashore, ideal for picnics. Plants and produce for sale.

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Features:

Initially a largely exposed south-facing site of old red sandstone, Rodeen, following 30 years of soil building, now hosts a large and unusual collection of semi-mature exotic plants including an organic herb, vegetable and fruit garden. Enjoy meadering grassy paths ain this plantsman's garden. Top class accommodation packages also available. Some plants for sale.

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Features:
This 12ha garden and woodland, planted in Robinsonian style has year long interests both for the professional and amateur enthusiast. Situated on the banks of the Argideen River, providing water for its three lily ponds and water garden features - giving the gardens a great sense of calm and tranquility. The main gardens are reached by a meandering avenue lined with mature specimens of evergreen Oak, Beech, Pine and Redwoods and a large Tulip Tree at the house. Aside to this there is a Rockery, Azalea Garden, Rhododendron Garden, Three herbaceaous borders and a Rose wreathed pergola. flagstone paths, rustic bridges and a bamboo sun house add character. Trees of Hoheria, Mimosa, Myrtle, Magnolia and Eucalyptus flourish in this mild and natural environment as does our Tree Fern planted in the early sixties. "Lisselan one of West Cork's hidden treasures" was also visited by the Entente Florale Judges in 2000 describing it "as like the island of Madeira." "The garden is the glory of Lisselan," The Irish Examiner. "The rockery is the glory of this garden. It is one of the most beautiful features in the County, breathtaking and definitely worth travelling to see," Shirley Lanigan O'Briens Guide to Irish Gardens.

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Features:
Plantswomans' seaside walled garden in a unique setting overlooking Glandore Harbour. Abounding with many interesting sub-tropical and exotic trees, shrubs and plants. Frangrant rhododendrons, acacias, cassias, cestrum, eucalyptus, olives, tree fuchsias. Colourful herbaceous borders, woodland walk and pond area with tree ferns and bamboos. Plus organic vegetable garden.

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Features:
The fantasy filled sculpture garden is a quiet oasis, with panoramic views to the Atlantic and Mizen hills as a dramatic backdrop. It is full of fun and surprises. Pagodas and bridges connect the garden, with large and small ponds and waterfalls providing a relaxing sound of trickling water. Benches and swing seats offer a chance to sit and enjoy the views. Non-specialist. Also Art Gallery & Workshop open for pottery and paintings.

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Features:
This exposed garden has been developed during the last decade or so with each year seeing a new area brought under cultivation. It includes informal borders, an avenue of Himalayan Birch and Walnut, wildflower meadows and a small walled garden. A Japanese look has been created at the boathouse with adjacent pond next to the Ilen River. The latest areas of development include a young woodland, more meadows (August flowering) and rock planting near the ruin.

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Features:
This garden of 3 acres is entirely within 30 metres of the sea. It contains many rare plants, also hardy and salt-resistant plants and shrubs. It has extensive south facing rockeries. This garden featured on BBC Gardener's World and RTE's "Garden Heaven", magazines "World of Hibernia", "Woman and Home" and "Country Gardens". Winner of "Large Summer Garden" section in "Shamrock" All-Ireland Garden Competition.

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