Each of our 15 member gardens and garden centres is very different. Our members range from large, old estates to intimate town properties but each, without fail, boasts its own personality, specialities, highlights and secret corners. To get a fuller flavour of what’s on offer in Waterford’s visitor gardens we strongly recommend that you visit more than one- most visitors will find it difficult to choose just a few!
To help you make your choice we have laid out a few basic sample itineraries below. Our examples are based on simple geography; you should mix and match to suit your own tastes. Please beware that all our members have different opening dates and times so please check that every place on your list is open before setting out…and enjoy.
Perched on a hill overlooking Youghal Bay Blackwater is the hardest working garden centre in town- not only will the McKennas sell you garden trees, fruit trees and roses, seasonal herbs, vegetables and all sorts of garden sundries they also invite you to a Farmers Market each Saturday morning and regularly hold informative free workshops and seminars- keep an eye on our News and Events page to see what they are up to at the moment. Found by Templemichael, Youghal visiting Ballynatray Estate is like entering another world. Venture through parkland and reed beds, past Molona Abbey avoiding the pheasants- unless you’re here for a shoot- to discover the walled, fragrant and kitchen gardens and arboretum of this ancient estate.
Some fine examples of Ireland’s great houses and gardens are found in the Blackwater Valley around Cappoquin. Approaching from Lismore turn left before you reach town to visit Salterbridge a fine 6 acre garden, at its best in spring. Continue into town to visit the pleasure grounds, sunken garden and apple and pear walk of Cappoquin House and Gardens. Turning right before town would lead you to Tourin where paths will take you along the River Blackwater, by the 17th century tower house and into the walled garden to visit the fruit and veg, the collection of bearded iris- and the hens! Returning to Cappoquin a right turn off the N72 Dungarvan road will bring you through Dromana Gate to Dromana House and Gardens. Tour the historic house (request some ghost stories!) and then explore the woodland paths that lead to the water, the rock house and bastion.
Lismore
Lismore Castle Gardens are split in two by the avenue that leads to the fairytale castle- the upper contain a 17th century walled garden while the lower are informal lawns. If the magnolias and camellias do not hold your attention you can spot the sculptures dotted throughout- a project of Lismore Castle Arts, the onsite contemporary exhibition space. Visitors are asked to please beware that the castle is a private home and not open to the public.
Ballyin Gardens are just upstream from Lismore Castle; the journey between the two barely worth mentioning. Ballyin is a treasure trove full of gems to be discovered. Spot the Bell Tower, Lady’s Walk and the garden house- and you won’t be able to miss the Monterey Cypress which boasts the greatest girth of any tree in Waterford!
Visitors unfamiliar with the area may not know that Lismore and Cappoquin are separated by a mere 7 kilometres so all gardens mentioned on the Lismore and Cappoquin routes are also easily combined.
The late Ambrose Congreve devoted almost 100 years of his life to creating the 100 acre wonder that is Mount Congreve. Designated as a great garden of the world a visit to Mount Congreve will leave you breathless. While it is difficult to imagine that a trip to Mount Congreve could be followed, Fairbrook House Gardens are a property more than equal to the task. Fairbrook has been created around the ruins of a former woollen mill lending it some unique features. Fairbrook evolved under the care of a husband and wife team whose art is exhibited in the Museum of Contemporary Figurative Art located on the grounds.
