Let it grow: 15 Irish hideaways with glorious gardens

Don’t miss: Rare & Special Plant Fair Sunday, May 12, 10am-4pm

Escape notes: Clonegal, Co Carlow Y21 K237 B&B (in the castle) and pretty self-catering cottages.

• huntingtoncastle.com

2. Ballyvolane House

The place: Hospitable hosts Justin and Jenny Green are the current custodians of this gracious mansion. Surrounded by its own farmland and magnificent wooded grounds, it has lakes, wonderful gardens — including an inspiring walled kitchen garden where Justin’s father, Jeremy, grows an astonishing variety of vegetables, herbs and fruit — and magical woodland walks which are especially beautiful when carpeted with bluebells in spring. As well as six lovely rooms in the house, there are some exceptionally comfortable glamping options in the gardens.

Don’t miss: The farmyard distillery where they produce their famous whey-based gin, Bertha’s Revenge, ballyvolanespirits.ie

Escape notes: Castlelyons, Fermoy, Co Cork P61 FP70 B&B from €240 per room; dogs permitted.

• ballyvolanehouse.ie

3. Liss Ard Estate

The place: This stunning 163-acre property offers everything you could wish for in a holiday destination, all in one beautiful package. At its heart is an elegant 19th-century country house, which may surprise you with its fresh contemporary style. The gardens offer a 40-acre lake, trails, woodland walks and artist James Turrell’s fascinating Irish Sky Garden, ‘The Crater’. And then there is the outstanding food offering in an intensely seasonal ‘Garden’ dining experience, based on produce from the estate and nearby areas.

Don’t miss: Artist James Turrell’s Irish Sky Garden work, ‘The Crater’. Tours are available, but a private visit on a starlit night will be unforgettable.

Escape notes: Castletownshend Road, Skibbereen, Co Cork P81 NP44. Rooms from €220. Dog friendly.

• lissardestate.ie

4. Bantry House & Garden

The place: Whether as a destination stay in their beautiful rooms — which all overlook the glorious 19th century Italianate terraced gardens, with their fountain and 100 steps ‘Stairway to the Sky’ leading up to woodland — or a day visit to the gardens and excellent Tearoom, the Shelswell-White family’s 18th-century mansion is not to be missed. Its location overlooking Bantry Bay is simply stunning and the ongoing restoration work undertaken by the family since 1997 only adds to the sense of awe.

Don’t miss: The view from the top of the 100 steps ‘Stairway to the sky.’

Escape notes: Bantry House & Garden, Bantry, Co Cork P75 T293.

Rooms from €230 B&B; also self-catering and private rental off-season.

• bantryhouse.com

5. Rathmullan House

The place: Set in lovely wooded gardens on the sandy shores of Lough Swilly, the Wheeler family’s gracious 19th-century house is quite grand, yet it has a laid-back holiday charm that is very relaxing. It’s known for modern Irish cooking promoting the best local and artisan foods, including produce from their walled garden (look for a mysterious gate tucked into a corner of the car park), and a sunken Tranquillity Garden can be viewed from your table in the Cook & Gardener restaurant.

Don’t miss: Take a trip on the Lough Swilly Ferry between Rathmullan and Buncrana on the Inishowen peninsula

Escape notes: Rathmullan, Co Donegal F92 YA0F B&B from €90pps; no single supplement.

• rathmullanhouse.com
• donegalgardentrail.com

6. Cashel House, Connemara

The place: The McEvilly family’s hotel at the head of Cashel Bay has a lovely ‘place where time stands still’ ambience and its combination of relaxed hospitality and professionalism has earned this quietly restorative retreat many fans. A member of the Connemara Garden Trail ( connemara.net/connemara-garden-trail) the creeper-clad house is surrounded by glorious roses and herbaceous plants, while paths meander through informal woodland glades — and an old walled orchard (The Secret Garden) is home to many rare trees and shrubs from around the world.

Don’t miss: The view from President de Gaulle’s favourite seat, when he stayed here in 1969.

Escape notes: Cashel, Connemara, Co Galway H91 XE10.

B&B from c.€110/140 low/high season (SC also available). Dogs welcome.

• cashelhouse.ie

7. Ard na Sidhe

The place: In a beautiful mountain setting overlooking Caragh Lake, this charming and recently restored revivalist Elizabethan style country house hotel is one of the most impressive Arts and Crafts houses in Ireland — and it is set in 32 acres of woodland and delightful gardens, which were designed by the original owner, Lady Edith Gordon. A romantic sister hotel to the much bigger Europe Hotel & Resort and The Dunloe (both also in dramatic locations on the edge of Killarney), it makes a peaceful retreat.

Don’t miss: Complimentary boating and fishing on Caragh Lake.

Escape notes: Caragh Lake, Killorglin, Co Kerry V93 HV57 B&B from c.€125pps

• ardnasidhe.com

8. Burtown House & Gardens

The place: A visit to the Fennell family’s early Georgian property is one of the most rewarding days out to be found anywhere in Ireland; the beautiful gardens, woodland and artworks feed the soul — and, with its focus on simple, very seasonal food (much of it home produced), a call to The Green Barn (restaurant, exhibition space, artisan foods and retail) should be a highlight. Better still, you can stay in their charming accommodation — The Stable Yard House and The Studio Apartment.

Don’t miss: Chef Sylvan Costrowa’s deliciously simple flavour-focused seasonal cooking at The Green Barn.

Escape notes: Burtown, Little Ballytore, Athy, Co Kildare R14 FD73.

Studio (sleeps 2) from €190, Stable Yard (6) from.€300. Min two–night stay at weekends.

• burtownhouse.ie

9. Mount Juliet Estate

The place: One of Ireland’s finest Georgian estates, beautiful Mount Juliet has a uniquely restful atmosphere, luxurious accommodation, exceptional on-site activities, pampering at the Spa & Health Club — and friendly staff who make guests feel at home. Two linked hotels — the Manor House and the chic contemporary Hunter’s Yard — offer complementary experiences, including outstanding food. And then there are the wonderful gardens, with their ancient trees and trails, especially the walled ornamental garden, with its stunning double-herbaceous borders.

Don’t miss: The walled garden’s ‘Moongate’, designed to frame the setting sun.

Escape notes: Thomastown, Co Kilkenny R95 E096.

Manor from.€250 room only, Hunter’s Yard from €150.

• mountjuliet.ie

10. Ballyfin Demesne

The place: Eight years of restoration was lavished on this Regency mansion before it opened in 2011, as a luxurious, yet surprisingly homely, small hotel. Offering residents ‘rest, tranquillity and outdoor activities’, everything about the 614-acre estate is stunning and that includes a boating lake and the wonderful walled gardens that provide seasonal produce all year. And, not only can you expect an exceptional locavore dining experience, but even portable treats in their special picnic house with panoramic views.

Don’t miss: Climbing the medieval-style tower, built as a folly in the 1860s — they say that you can see 16 counties from the top …

Escape notes: Ballyfin, Co Laois R32 TK79.

Full board (two guests) from €1,020. B&B from €720 per room. Cottage available (sleeps two).

• ballyfin.com

11. The Mustard Seed

The place: Originally opened in nearby Adare by Dan Mullane, in 1985, The Mustard Seed later relocated to this lovely country house and is now in the safe hands of the former manager, John Edward Joyce. The house is set on seven acres of beautiful gardens, including the organic kitchen garden and orchard that provide seasonal produce to Head Chef Angel Pirev and an outstanding kitchen team, so dining here is always special. A one-off, magical place to stay..

Don’t miss: Allow time before dinner (or get up early) to enjoy the organic kitchen garden and orchard that supply seasonal produce to your plate.

Escape notes: Ballingarry, Co Limerick V94 EHN8 B&B from €70pps. Pets by arrangement.

• mustardseed.ie

12. Enniscoe

The place: Susan Kellett and her son DJ are the current custodians of this charming Georgian mansion, which is now a special place for anglers and anyone with empathy for the untamed wildness of the area — which, in 2023, included US President Joe Biden and his family. Its historic setting includes a Victorian walled garden and organic kitchen gardens, and 19th-century pleasure grounds extending to the shores of Lough Conn. All this and crackling log fires, warm hospitality and good home cooking too. Magic.

Don’t miss: The North Mayo Family Heritage Centre Ireland (on site).

Escape notes: Castlehill, Ballina, Co Mayo F26 EA34.

B&B from €1,10pps. Self-catering available. Dogs welcome.

• enniscoe.com

13. Kilmokea Country Manor & Gardens

The place: With its intriguing series of themed garden rooms and varying styles offering every kind of delight from topiary and architectural features and ornaments, to rose gardens, pools and herbaceous planting — and even a small Viking settlement and a Norman Motte & Baily, referencing the area’s history — garden lovers of all ages and interests will be delighted to visit this lovely Georgian property overlooking the River Barrow. Unusual features for overnight guests include a swimming pool and activities such as forest bathing.

Don’t miss: Garden Theatre — Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s performance of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women on June 23, 6pm.

Escape notes: Great Island, Campile, Co Wexford Y34 TH58.

B&B from €190. Tea room. Dogs in some areas by arrangement.

• kilmokea.com

14. Marlfield House

The place: Once the residence of the Earls of Courtown, the Bowe family’s splendid country house is now a charmingly romantic destination offering outstanding hospitality and service. Set in 36 acres of woodland, ornamental lake, rose, vegetable and herb gardens it’s ‘a haven of tranquillity with peacocks, hens, dogs and ponies waiting to greet you on your garden walk’. And, beside the main house, famed for its sumptuous style, an atmospheric informal restaurant, The Duck, overlooks the beautiful kitchen garden. Always a treat.

Don’t miss: The gorgeous Duck Pond Suites (€440per night.)

Escape notes: Courtown Road, Gorey, Co Wexford Y25 DK23. Rooms/suites from.€250 B&B.

• marlfieldhouse.com

15. Hunter’s Hotel

The place: Set in lovely gardens alongside the River Vartry, Hunter’s is one of Ireland’s oldest coaching inns. It’s run by fifth-generation brothers, Richard and Tom Gelletlie, who offer old-fashioned comfort and food based on local and their own home-grown produce. There’s a proper little bar and a very traditional dining room overlooking the beautiful garden (especially lovely when the herbaceous border is in bloom) where their famous afternoon tea is served in summer. There’s nowhere else in Ireland like it.

Don’t miss: Afternoon tea in the garden — at its best in June.

Escape notes: Newrath Bridge, Rathnew, Co Wicklow A67 TN30 B&B from.€85pps.

• hunters.ie