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
At Danesmoate House the 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.
