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Ireland in Bloom


Explore colorful gardens in and around Dublin and experience the beautiful Irish landscape and culture. Tour historic homes and gardens that represent different eras. Visit contemporary Irish designers and horticulturists in their personal gardens. We’ll spend time in seaside gardens and near mountains. We’ll hear lively music and see stunning art. Enjoy it all with a small group of fellow garden lovers, Garden Gate’s Kristin Beane Sullivan and Linda Vater, of YouTube’s The Garden Life.

Tour Confirmed

We have sufficient interest to confirm this tour will occur as planned.

Tour Dates

July 15 – July 22, 2025

Tour Prices

$5,515 (USD) per person, double occupancy

$6,695 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Tour Includes

• All 4-star hotel accommodations
• 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners, including tips
• Admission to all gardens, including tips
• Comfortable coach transport
• Friendly & knowledgeable tour guide
• Garden expertise of Garden Gate’s Kristin Beane Sullivan and The Garden Life’s Linda Vater

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Easy: Expect to walk 10,000 steps per day with occasional level changes.

Hunting Brook Garden
Hunting Brook Garden

Itinerary

Day 1, Tuesday, July 15: ARRIVAL

Tour members arrange their own transportation to Dublin and the hotel, where a reservation has been made (included in tour price). We will gather for a welcome dinner this evening at the hotel restaurant (included in tour price).

Day 2, Wednesday, July 16: POWERSCOURT ESTATE, MOUNT USHER, PATTHANA GARDEN

We’ll leave our airport hotel and travel to the world-renowned Powerscourt Estate, whose first gardens were started nearly 300 years ago. This 47-acre property boasts many themed areas, borders and terraces with breathtaking views of the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain and the County Wicklow countryside. Climb the Pepperpot Tower to enjoy the scenery, have a seat on Lord Londonderry’s seat at the top of the Japanese Garden and wander among the formal beds and trails around water features and beautiful statuary. The double borders are especially colorful and beautiful in July!

Next we’ll visit Mount Usher, which was started in the late 19th century following William Robinson’s newly introduced “managed wild garden” philosophy. Along both sides of the River Vartry you will find an astonishing collection of “Champion Trees” the largest of their kind in Ireland. Follow winding paths through sweeps of perennials, such as primulas, wild orchids and more. Unforgettable!

Our final visit today will be to Patthana Garden, the horticultural canvas of T.J. Maher and Simon Kirby. This charming village garden features lower and upper courtyards, a wildlife pond, and herbaceous borders bursting with both hardy and tender plants in stunning combinations. T.J. designed the upper garden to frame the view of a nearby church. There’s a special focus here on organic principles and gardening for wildlife. T.J. and Simon are gracious and enthusiastic hosts and happy to share the story of their garden.

We’ll check into The Summerhill House Hotel in the cozy village of Enniskerry and eat dinner together here tonight (included).

Day 3, Thursday, July 17: RATHMICHAEL LODGE, CORK LODGE

At Rathmichael Lodge, climbing roses and wisteria wind their way up the back of the house, forming a backdrop to an informal cottage-style garden filled with more roses and many perennials, such as delphiniums, Oriental poppies and daylilies. Container plantings, statuary, a gazebo and a manicured tennis court add to this beautiful garden’s charm.

Next we’ll visit Corke Lodge, which offers a completely different style and plant palette than our morning tour. Here, an Italianate seaside villa built in the 1800s serves as a backdrop for a tropical-looking paradise. You’ll see tree ferns, cordylines, bamboo, palms and even a Mediterranean grove with a cork tree centerpiece, all of which thrive in the mild climate this garden enjoys due to its close proximity to the Irish Sea. Gothic architectural follies add whimsy to this unique and fun garden.

We’ll gather for dinner at The Summerhill House Hotel tonight (included).

Day 4, Friday, July 18: RUSSBOROUGH MUSEUM, JUNE BLAKE’S GARDEN, HUNTING BROOK

We’ll start our day at the historic Russborough Estate. Built and originally appointed in the 18th century, the home has always displayed an impressive art collection. Tour this impeccable Georgian home and its world-renowned art collection. Then take a look around some of the 200-acre estate that surrounds it. This landscape has elements of the more traditional, formal style popular before this time in its terraces, lawns and pond. But the romantic, naturalistic style of landscape design was beginning to come into vogue during this period, so you’ll also see elements of this approach on the estate, in its serpentine lakes, impressive collection of trees and beautiful vistas of the nearby Wicklow Mountains. There is much to see here!

Next we’ll see two more intimate and modern gardens. First we’ll travel to June Blake’s Garden, a 3-acre country garden on the family farm. It’s designed with an artist’s eye for color, texture and shape combinations. From exuberant borders to a flower meadow to woodland walks, there’s no shortage of color in almost any season (Fun fact: You’re unlikely to find the color yellow!). Learn June’s secrets and enjoy the architecture of the granite stone farm buildings as well.

Next we’ll visit Hunting Brook, the garden of Jimi Blake, June’s brother. In 2001 he acquired 20 acres of the family estate and started a garden where he experiments with plants and design ideas and pushes the limits of hardiness. We’ll have a chance to ask questions and wander through several themed gardens, including the valley (with beautiful views of the Wicklow Mountains), a woodland, and the newer sand garden.

We’ll gather for dinner at The Summerhill House Hotel tonight (included).

Day 5, Saturday, July 19: DANESMOATE HOUSE GARDEN, AIRFIELD ESTATE, JOHNNIE FOX’S PUB

When U2 guitarist Adam Clayton purchased Danesmoate House in the late 1980s, the estate had fallen into some disrepair. He set about having thousands of shade and understory trees planted. The resulting woodland is full of surprises, including a collection of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias, among shade trees, both new and old. The Little Dargle River runs through this 17-acre garden, and stone bridges and cascades make it a lively and charming place to walk. Close to the house you’ll find both a meadow planting and a series of garden rooms planted with perennials. The perennial plantings were designed by June Blake, one of our hosts earlier in the tour.

We’ll spend some time this afternoon at Airfield Estate, a large sustainable and self-sufficient garden. Not only does it boast a 2-acre organic kitchen garden and productive orchard, but there are walled borders, a sunken garden, glasshouses and more. While you’re here, be sure to visit the museum in the original house, which tells the story of Naomi and Letitia Overend, sisters who began the agricultural work here in the 20th century. The garden’s current mission stems from their impressive work, not only in a commitment to sustainable agriculture, but in their lives of service to the community. (Their self reliance in everything from farming to car maintenance is an inspiration!)

Finally, we’ll have dinner together at Johnnie Fox’s, where we’ll enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music and dancing in a mountaintop pub.

Day 6, Sunday, July 20: NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN, ARDAN

This morning we’ll start at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland at Glasnevin, which has undergone a complete facelift in recent years. Enjoy the restored Victorian glasshouses and carpet bedding as well as beautiful herbaceous borders, a rockery and a plant collection that includes more than 15,000 species.

In the afternoon we’ll travel to the Ardán Garden, a contemporary private garden that is not only beautiful, but embraces the conservation status of the Howth Peninsula, on which it perches. This ½-acre garden is recognized as a garden of the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere. The owners, Nuala Doherty and Conall O’Caoimh, began this garden in 2003, and since then have established many layers and themes, including a white garden, an exotic garden, a pond, a bog, a small woodland and a rocky outcropping garden. Throughout it all, you’ll find pieces by Conall, a sculptor, artfully woven in.

This afternoon we’ll check into the Iveagh Garden Hotel in Dublin and have the evening free to explore Dublin’s nightlife.

Day 7, Monday, July 21: ALTAMONT GARDEN, FREE TIME IN DUBLIN

This morning, the romantic Altamont Garden will be our final horticultural excursion together. The naturalistic woodland walk and staircase is thought to be heavily Influenced by William Robinson’s “Wild Garden” philosophy. Stately old trees, beautiful statuary, a picturesque lake and staircase to the River Slaney and formal lawns all work together to create an idyllic estate. We’ll learn about its history with a private tour here.

This afternoon you’ll have free time to explore Dublin on your own. Tour the Book of Kells, visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, the Jameson Distillery or Guinness Storehouse; shop on Grafton Street; grab a pint at Temple Bar… the possibilities are wide open.

This evening we’ll gather one last time for a farewell dinner and reminisce about our travels together.

Day 9, Tuesday, July 22: DEPARTURE

Our time together has ended, but garden lovers always find fresh inspiration wherever they are. Tour members can choose to return home or carry on the adventure.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

Mount Usher
Mount Usher

Pricing

Tour price

$5,515 (USD) per person, double occupancy
$6,695 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Tour price includes

• All 4-star hotel accommodations
• 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners, including tips
• Admission to all gardens, including tips
• Comfortable coach transport
• Friendly and knowledgeable professional tour coordinator
• Expertise of your Garden Gate hosts

Tour price excludes

• Airfare. Each tour member books their own flight to arrive at the Dublin Airport by 3 p.m. local time 7/15/25 and depart from the same airport on or after 7/22/25.
• Travel insurance (required)
• 1 breakfast, 5 lunches, 2 dinners and all drinks, including water, and snacks.
• Tips for coach driver & tour coordinator

Payment schedule
A $1,000 (USD) deposit is due when you book your tour.

Final payment, in full, is due on May 27, 2025.

After May 27, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If you are able to join, full payment, reservation form and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

NOTE: Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate offers thoughtfully arranged garden tours. Each tour is guaranteed to proceed as soon as the minimum of 15 reservations has been met. If our reservation minimum is not met, Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled by us.

If you need to cancel your reservation, the deposit and final payment are fully refundable until April 15. After April 15, we are not able to refund the deposit.

After May 27, no refunds for deposit or final payment will be issued.

Please DO NOT make your airline reservations until Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate has guaranteed (by email) that the tour will proceed.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

Patthana Garden
Patthana Garden

Accommodations

4-Star Lodging & Comfortable Coach Travel

Hotel Accommodations

After a day filled with garden inspiration and botanical discoveries, we will retire to the comfort of 4-star accommodations.

July 15 – Radison Blu, Dublin Airport
July 16-19 – Summerhill House Hotel
July 20-22 – Iveagh Garden Hotel

Coach Travel

Daily transportation will be provided by a modern, comfortable coach operated by an experienced driver.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

National Botanic Garden at Glasnevin
National Botanic Garden at Glasnevin

Terms & Conditions

Responsibilities:

As the hosting organization, Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate provides reservation services and has chosen Garden Tours, a professional tour operator, as its designated tour operator. As the designated tour operator, Garden Tours arranges for the actual tour of the garden sites. Garden Tours also acts as an agent for services connected with specific tours hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, such as ground transportation, lodging, accommodations, and meals. Each service provider is solely responsible to the participant for providing their respective services.

By making a reservation for a tour hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, the participant certifies that she/he does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a tour hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate.

Price:

The tour prices in this agreement are based upon current exchange rates, tariffs, and taxes. Fluctuations in these rates could result in a price adjustment without prior notice until the tour is paid in full. Once the price for the tour is paid in full, the fee will not be adjusted due to any later change in exchange rates, tariffs or taxes.

Liabilities & Booking Conditions:

Garden Tours is established in the Netherlands, and rights and responsibilities for all tours operated by Garden Tours will be governed by Dutch and EU laws only. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours will have responsibility only for the proven negligent acts and omissions of its employees or agents and suppliers, subcontractors, servants, and/or agents of the same while acting within the scope of or in the course of their employment in respect of claims arising as a result of death, bodily injury, or illness caused to the signatory to the contract and/or any other named persons on the booking form.

Smoking:

All participants in tours hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate agree to comply with a non-smoking policy on all coaches, in restaurants, and in all lodging places.

Liability:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability to any person for loss of baggage, money, or other property whatsoever. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability for any loss or additional expenses caused by delay or interruption to travel services through weather conditions (such as rain, wind, or fog), civil disturbance, riot, illegal acts of third parties, strikes, wars, floods, sickness or any circumstances amounting to Force Majeure.

Complaints:

In the unlikely event that you have a complaint, you must promptly notify the Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate host or the Garden Tours tour coordinator directly, so he/she can take remedial action on the spot. If the matter cannot be solved directly, any complaints must be submitted in writing to Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate within 20 days after the date of your return.

Your tour canceled by us:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate aims to provide your tour as booked. We reserve the right to cancel your tour under any circumstances, but if we cancel your tour, except where this is because you have not paid, you will receive a full refund.

Changes in itinerary details:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours strive to operate according to the published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary or appropriate. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the agreed-upon itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate will let you know about any significant changes as soon as possible if there is time before your departure. Otherwise, we will announce changes on the tour.

Cancellations:

If you should need to withdraw from the tour for whatever reason, you must notify Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate in writing. Cancellation becomes effective when written notice is received. Deposits and final payments will be refunded for cancellations made 13 weeks or more before the tour start date. Deposits are nonrefundable for cancellations made between 13 weeks before the tour begins and the final payment deadline. There will be no refunds from Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate on or after the final payment deadline.

Insurance:

Travel insurance is required in case you need to cancel your trip after the final payment deadline, you have health emergencies while on the tour, or other unforeseen issues arise. Squaremouth and Insure My Trip are two travel insurance search sites. If you are under 70 years old, World Nomads is usually an economical travel insurance choice. You will be required to provide evidence to Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate that you have obtained travel insurance by the final payment deadline.

Health & Safety:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries.

Photography notice:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate will be taking photos and videos of the gardens for future editorial and promotional use. Tour participants may occasionally appear in these images.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

The June Blake Garden
The June Blake Garden

Reserve A Spot

Secure Your Reservation:

To reserve your spot on this tour:

  1. Fill out and submit the online reservation form.
    Reservation Form
  2. Submit your tour deposit of $1,000 USD by calling 800-341-4769 or completing a checkout through our online store.
    Pay Deposit Online

Questions? Contact us at gardentravel@aimmedia.com or 800-341-4769. We would love to chat with you about this exciting trip!

Note: After May 27, 2025, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If we are able to accommodate your reservation, full payment, reservation form and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

Payment Details:

Deposit amount: $1,000 USD

Full payment:
$5,515 (USD) per person, double occupancy
$6,695 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Note: For reservations made after May 27, 2025, the full payment will be due immediately.

Additional information about the tour costs, including details about inclusions and exclusions, can be viewed under “Pricing”.

PLEASE NOTE: Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled.

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

Tour Hosts

Portrait of Kristin Beane Sullivan

Kristin Beane Sullivan

Executive Editor, Garden Gate & Horticulture

In her 27 years at Garden Gate (and now Horticulture), Kristin’s enthusiasm for visiting gardens and meeting other gardeners has only grown and she learns something through almost every experience. Although she’s packed a lot into her small urban garden in Des Moines, Iowa, she’s found that miraculously, there always seems to be room for one more plant!

Portrait of Linda Vater

Linda Vater

Garden Designer, Author, Media Producer

Linda is a self-taught garden designer and stylist who also writes and produces garden media for TV, magazines, Instagram, YouTube, and the web. She lived and gardened for over thirty years in her 1935 English Tudor home before moving to her very lively “Cottage on the Hill” in Oklahoma City. Her gardens have been featured in numerous national and local magazines and have been toured more times than she can count.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.