Garden visits in spring?

johno · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject: Garden visits in spring?

I'll be in Ireland the last week of March with my family. We plan to spend most of our time around the West coast area, which will be only a few days. I would like to visit some gardens, but I have a mobility issue, so nothing with long hikes. Does anyone have suggestions for gardens to visit during that time of year?

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject:

if you're on the west, garinish island (aka ilnacullin) in west cork (beside glengarriff) is one of the more famous gardens in ireland - though the problem is you have to get a boat out there, which might be an issue with your mobility problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garinish

johno · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

Thank you medieval knieval. Garnish Island sounds wonderful! I can take a boat. I can walk for a little while each day.

I'm having so much fun learning about places in Ireland ahead of the trip!

johno · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject:

We took our honeymoon for a week in Rotterdam ten years ago, starting a day or two after St. Patrick's Day. It was rainy and grey and only a few flowers were in bloom.

I'm told to bring good rain gear for visiting Ireland in March. Smile

One of the things I'm very curious about is what sorts of things will be in bloom then, and what sorts of trees/shrubs will have new greenery by then. This could make a difference on which gardens will be best to see...

Sive · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject:

You probably have these websites already....but just in case they are of any use to you.........

www.castlesgardensireland.com

www.discoverireland.ie

johno · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

I did not have them already, and they are of great use to me! Thank you, Sive.

ormondsview · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:43 pm Post subject: Dereen Gardens

I just finished cycling to Dereen Gardens last week along the coast road. Here are the details: Location: On the coast road from Lauragh to Tuosist, just outside Kilmacilogue. The Rhodos are spectacular in spring, though were not in flower in November. The place is thick with them. Also tree fern, bamboo, eucalyptus and as several paths with easy walking routes. Great country scenes using the mountainous Healy Pass or coast road.
Other threads speak about tree planting. I really like the birch trees at the front of the fence in the garden photos to above video and intend on copying the plantings.