Áras Fáilte, Forster Street, Galway .Telephone 091 537700 Fax 091 537733Email: irelandwestinfo@failteireland.ie

The gardens of the West of Ireland are well-known for theirbeauty, variety and uniqueness. Rain, soft sunshine and thewarmth of the Gulf Stream combine to make ideal conditionsfor the creation of magnificent and magical gardens.

The Ireland West region covers the counties of Galway, Mayoand Roscommon. The general landscape varies greatlythroughout the region from the stone walled farmlands tothe rolling hills and fresh waters of Lough Corrib to the wildmountains and valleys. Within this landscape lie gardentreasures that have been laid out by a variety of local people.

The coastal location means that plants are adapted to a moistmaritime climate, but the Gulf Stream ensures that the regiondoes not suffer from the extremes of temperature experiencedby many other countries on the same latitude. However, theAtlantic setting can also cause problems; salt and storm canbe a challenge to every plant and tree. The soil is acidic andshallow in most places and much needed nutrients must beadded to make it fertile. This creates a challenging environmentfor gardeners, but they ensure that the flora and fauna followthe weather patterns of the region. Hydrangeas,Rhododendrons, and Heather are common features in gardensin the West of Ireland as are azaleas and camellias - and eventhe odd palm tree!

The gardens of the West range in size and style, from formalto wild. Many feature exotic plants which were imported atthe turn of the twentieth century and others have concentratedon the discovery and preservation of gardens which are over300 years old. Every garden featured in this map has its ownstory which we hope you will explore and enjoy.

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Gardensin the West of Ireland

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1. Ballynahinch Castle Hotel

2. Brigit’s Garden

3. Cashel House Hotel

4. Coole Park

5. Kylemore Abbey & Garden

6. Portumna Castle

7. Renvyle House

8. Rosleague Manor

9. Ross Castle

10. Woodville House Walled Garden

11. Zetland Country House Hotel

12. Achill Secret Garden

13. Enniscoe House & Gardens

14. Turlough Park House & Gardens

15. Westport House & Gardens

16. Castlecoote House & Gardens

17. Strokestown Park

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Rosleague Manor Letterfrack, ConnemaraRosleague Manor is a country house hotel with an early 19thcentury garden located in Ballinakill Bay. It has a wonderful displayof hydrangeas in season and a pleasant woodland walk to theocean’s edge.

Open: March to OctoberDirections: 8 miles from Clifden on N59 Westport Road. One milefrom Connemara National ParkCost: ¤2.50 in aid of St. Vincent De Paul SocietyTel: 095 41101 Website: www.rosleague.com

Ross Castle Roscahill, near Oughterard16 acre parkland with many unusual and old trees, among themevergreen oaks. The Courtyard has climbing roses, a mixture ofbedding plants and small trees. The walled Outer Courtyard hassmall shrubs, daffodils, daises, and climbing roses. The one acrewalled pleasure garden has many rooms with different colorschemes, ponds, statues and a 17th century glasshouse. The 2acre walled orchard has vegetable areas, fruit trees, and a highlyunusual gardener's cottage.

Open: Year round, Monday to Friday from 10.00am - 4.00pmDirections: Take the N59 west from Galway city. Four miles pastMoycullen and 300 meters before Kineevey's Pub.Cost: ¤4.00. ¤6.00 castle and garden.Tel: 091 550183 Website: www.rosscastle.com

Woodville House Walled Garden CraughwellSet at the foot of the Slieve Aughty Mountains this walled gardenhas been beautifully restored with colourful herbaceous borders,established fruit trees and serene water fountain. Another featureis a surviving Dovecote which is one of the few remaining 'GardenFollies' in the West of Ireland. The adjoining stables exhibit thehistory of Woodville and surrounding locality.

Open: mid June to mid September, Wednesday to Sunday incl.Directions: From Loughrea, turn right in village of Kilchreest.After 1.2 km, take first turn left. Woodville House Walled Gardenis 2nd entrance on right-hand side.Cost: ¤5.00 adults; ¤3.00 students / seniors; ¤12.00 family ticket;children under 10 years freeTel: 091 840986  

Zetland Country House Hotel Cashel, ConnemaraInformal country garden set below Cashel Hill and overlooking thesea. A lake and old boathouse can also be found on grounds.

Open: Year roundDirections: N59 Clifden Road from Galway to Cashel Cross. Followthe signs for Zetland Hotel. Turn right on R340 and right againon R342. 1.5 kms ahead on right.Cost: ¤2.50 in aid of Clifden Hospital.Tel: 095 31111 Website: www.zetland.com

GALWAY

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Ballinafad, ConnemaraBallynahinch Castle is over 200 years old and has one ofConnemara’s oldest gardens. The gardens are in a magnificentsetting above the Ballynahinch River with the Twelve Bens in thedistance. The 450 acre estate features riverside and lake walksin gardens which have been lovingly tended for over 50 years.They are on many levels and set out among the mature trees andshrubs. A walking map is available from the hotel reception.

Open: Daily March to NovemberDirections: N59 from Galway to Clifden. After passing throughRecess (Sráith Salach), follow the signs for the hotel.Cost: ¤2.50 in aid of local charitiesTel: 095 31006Website: www.ballynahinch-castle.com

Brigit’s Garden RoscahillBrigit’s Garden is a unique place with beautiful themed gardensreflecting the four Celtic festivals. A nature trail runs throughwoodlands, meadows and the Ogham trees. The gardens featurea thatched roundhouse, ring fort, calendar sundial, children'strail and play area and The Garden Café with home-baked goods.Brigit’s Garden is a not-for-profit project and runs year-roundeducational programmes for adults and children.

Open: Open daily from February to OctoberDirections: 20 minutes drive from Galway on N59 to Clifden,the garden is situated between Moycullen and Oughterard at thegateway to Connemara. Take a right turn off the N59 at the sign.Cost: ¤7.50 adult; ¤5.00 child over 4 years; ¤6.00 student /senior; ¤22.00 family ticketTel: 091 550905 Website: www.brigitsgarden.ie

Cashel House Hotel CashelStanding at the head of Cashel Bay is a mid-century graciouscountry house owned and run by the McEvilly family as a GradeA hotel. The gardens are informal country house style gardensbased on a number of woodland glades. The garden contains aprofusion of roses, both old-fashioned and modern, and manyherbaceous plants with naturalized day lillies, astilbes and primulasas well as gunnera, camelias, magnolias, azaleas, andrhododendrons. The walled garden (now known as the ‘secretgarden’) was an orchard where in 1919 Jack O'Mara felled appletrees and used the walled garden as an area in which to plantmany rare trees and shrubs which he collected from all over the

Portumna Castle PortumnaLocated on the shores of Lough Derg, this 17th century castle hasformal geometrically laid out gardens to the north. The WillowMaze incorporates several different varieties of Willow and itscentral path is lined with espalier fruit trees which are under-plantedwith lavender. A 17th century potager kitchen garden has beenrestored to its original splendour and organically planted withflowers, herbs, hollies, and vegetables. The garden offers the visitoran ideal opportunity to see and experience gardening lay-out andtechniques of yesteryear.

Open: 1st April to end October, 10.00am - 6.00pm.Last admission 45 mins before closing.Directions: Take the turn for Portumna on the main Galway toDublin road from Ballinasloe (if coming from Dublin) or nearLoughrea (if coming from Galway) onto the N65. The castle islocated in Portumna town and is signposted en route.Cost: ¤2.10 adults; ¤1.30 group & seniors; ¤1.10 child / student;¤5.80 family ticketTel: 090 9741658 Website: www.heritageireland.ie

Renvyle House Renvyle, ConnemaraA Lutyens-style country house inspired by an age of human-scaledwellings with an emphasis on wood panelling and cosy brickfireplaces. This country house sits on the edge of the Atlantic Oceanon almost 200 acres which includes a freshwater lake, heathland,woodland and farmland. The restoration programme for the gardenscommenced over 6 years ago and they have been designed bySeamus O’Donnell (Donegal) who specialises in coastal gardens. Theherb garden was designed by Sophie Coyle (who trained in theBotanic Gardens, Dublin) and the herbs are used daily by the headchef. Numerous woodland walks are carpeted with bluebells in earlysummer and have a great variety of ferns and wildlife. The groundsalso have an orchard and a rose garden.  More formal gardens thrivearound the croquet lawn and the horseshoe garden and, as coastalgardens should, reflect the habitat, variety of grasses, floweringbushes and aromatic plants with a colour preference in blue andwhite that echo the sea. Open: 9:00am – 5.30pm (Monday to Sunday)(Closed from 6th January 2009 to 12th February 2009)Directions: Take the N59 west from Galway City through Moycullen,Oughterard and Maam Cross. At Recess turn right. At Kylemoreturn left. At Letterfrack turn right. After 4 miles the hotel issignposted.Cost: No chargeTel: 095 43511 Website: www.renvyle.com  

Kylemore Abbey & GardenBrigit’s Gardenworld. Many of these trees are the largest specimens in Ireland.

The herb gardens are also under restoration.

Open: Year round from mid February, 10.00am - 5.00pm. Guidedtours available by appointment.Directions: South off the N59 Clifden/Galway road. 2 kms westof Recess.Cost: ¤5.00 adults; ¤3.00 children & concesssionTel: 095 31001  Website: www.cashel-house-hotel.com

Coole Park GortOnce the estate home of Lady Gregory, dramatist and co-founderof the Abbey Theatre, this nature reserve and visitor centre is atribute to Irish writers who visited Lady Gregory at her home eachsummer. The famous ‘autograph’ tree features initials carved bymany Irish writers including Yeats, Synge, O'Casey and GeorgeBernard Shaw. Marked nature trails weave through many differentspecimens of trees and plants, many of which were importedfrom abroad by the Gregorys. A map of self-guided walks isavailable to purchase at the visitor centre, and guided tours canbe pre-booked. Exhibitions and a coffee shop also on site.

Open: Park open all year until 7.30pm in summer & 6.00pm inwinter. Visitor Centre open April to September.Directions: Located 3 kms from the town of Gort off the mainGalway to Limerick roadCost: No chargeTel: 091 631804 Website: www.coolepark.ie

Kylemore Abbey & Garden ConnemaraOne of Ireland’s finest gardens, this six-acre Victorian walledgarden at Kylemore was created by Mitchell Henry in tandemwith the building of Kylemore Castle (now Kylemore Abbey) circa1867. With two distinct areas: the Kitchen Garden and the FlowerGarden, the garden is completely enclosed by a brick and limestonewall, and won the prestigious Europa Nostra Award for Gardensin 2002. Two of the 21 original glasshouses have been restored.The restored Head Gardener’s House and Workmen’s Bothy arealso open to visitors. The garden is a must-see for both gardenenthusiasts and non-gardeners alike.

Open: March to NovemberDirections: From Galway on the N59 Clifden road, just pastRecess turn right onto the R344 and follow signs for the Abbey.From Clifden, take the Westport road. Kylemore is on the leftafter passing through Letterfrack village.Cost: ¤12.00 garden & abbeyTel: 095 41146 Website: www.kylemoreabbey.com

Fáilte Ireland - WestÁras Fáilte, Forster Street, Galway

Tel: 091 537700

Email: irelandwestinfo@failteireland.ie

FI/10275-08

Strokestown Park

MAYO

Achill Secret Garden Atlantic Drive, Achill IslandFrom 1875 there have been gardeners living in Bleanaskill Lodge.The oldest trees, Monterey Cypresses and Cordyline, were plantedat that time. Since then every owner made their own mark, tracesof which can still be found. Nowadays the 3 acre landscaped garden,is divided into several 'rooms': the 'woods' is the oldest cultivatedpart, with trees, hydrangeas and a pond complete with waterlilies.There are 3 different flower borders: the 'yellow', 'red' and 'blue'and hidden away in a secret place you will find treeferns. Open: April to September. Regular scheduled tours are availablethroughout the week depending on the season. All other visits areby appointment only.Directions: Follow the signs for ‘Achill Secret Garden’ on the AtlanticDrive at Achill SoundCost: ¤ 8.00 including refreshments in the boathouseTel: For bookings, call Achill Tourism 098 47353or Doutsje Nauta 098 45103Website: www.achillsecretgarden.com

Enniscoe House & Gardens Castlehill, BallinaThis elegant guesthouse has a 3-acre walled garden which issurrounded by pleasure grounds and includes a museum and familyhistory centre. The ornamental flower garden features an elaboraterockery and a working organic kitchen garden. It is also possible tohire a boat and try some fishing on Lough Conn.

Open: 1st April to end October, 10.00am - 6.00pm weekdays; 2.00pm- 6.00pm weekends.Directions: 4 km south of Crossmolina on the R315.Cost: ¤6.00 adult; ¤2.50 childTel: 096 31809 Website: www.enniscoe.com

Shannon Airport

Ireland WestAirport, Knock

GalwayDublin

Cork

Belfast

Every effort has been made to ensure that the details inthis publication are correct. No responsibility can be acceptedfor errors or omissions.

To telephone from abroad, please use the prefix“00 353” and omit the first “0” in the local number

Westport House & Gardens

National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, TurloughPark House & Gardens CastlebarThe restored gardens at Turlough Park House are Victorian and featureterraces, a man-made lake and islands. A central path to the rockery isflanked by formal flower beds and surrounded by paths and lawns. Thehouse on the grounds was built in 1865 and features an ornamentalglasshouse and an unusual curtilinear conservatory on the stable wall,which is an interesting period piece.

Open: Year round except Mondays & Bank Holidays.Directions: On the N5 just 8 kms east of Castlebar, on the edge ofTurlough Village.Cost: No charge.Tel: 094 9031755 Email: tpark@museum.ieWebsite: www.museum.ie

Westport House & Gardens WestportWestport House and Gardens are located in one of Ireland’s most scenicsettings on the shores on the idyllic Clew Bay. Westport House datesfrom 1685 and is one of Ireland’s most beautiful and historic homes.Much of the original early 20th century gardens have been restored andredeveloped. Mountains, islands, woodland and a pristine river thatmeanders effortlessly through cascading waterfalls and under archedbridges, into a tranquil lake that mirrors the western sky before embracingthe sea, combine with architectural magnificence and historical splendourto provide an unforgettable experience.

Open: Daily 4th April to 30th September 2009, 10.00am - 6.00pmDirections: 3 kms from Westport on the Louisburgh Road (R335)Cost: ¤12.00 adults; ¤6.50 children; ¤9.00 students; ¤7.50 seniors forhouse & gardens. ¤5.00 gardens only (July & August)Tel: 098 27766 Website: www.westporthouse.ie

ROSCOMMON

Castlecoote House and Gardens CastlecooteSituated in the picturesque village of Castlecoote, 8 kms fromRoscommon town, Castlecoote House is a magnificent GeorgianPalladian mansion built on the grounds of a ruined 16th centurycastle. The house is surrounded by woodland and pastoralcountryside, all encircled by the River Suck. The grounds includebeautiful landscaped gardens running down to the river, an orchardof rare apple trees, ice house, 3 medieval lookout towers and theruins of the original medieval entrance bridge.

Open: 17th March to 31st October, 2.00pm - 5.30pm, Tuesday- Sunday. Guided tours of house and gardens available byappointment.Cost: ¤8.00 garden only; ¤12.00 house & garden;¤28.00 family ticketTel: 090 6663794 Website: www.castlecootehouse.com

Strokestown Park StrokestownStrokestown Park House is an 18th Century mansion which hasbeen fully restored and contains its original furnishings. The sixacre walled gardens have been faithfully restored to their originalsplendour comprising of a 4 acre Pleasure Garden and a 2 acreGeorgian fruit and vegetable garden. The herbaceous border hasbeen entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the longestin Ireland & Britain. Many of the original features have beenrestored including the lawn tennis court, croquet lawn, the summerhouse and a magnificent ornamental lily pond. Mature specimensof liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree), trachycarpus fortunei (ChusanPalm) and taxus baccata fastigiata (Irish Yew) still stand proudwithin the walled gardens. In the fruit and vegetable garden oldvarieties are once again being produced using traditional methodsand the produce is used in the estate restaurant. The peach houseand vinery are believed to be the oldest restored glasshouses inIreland.

Open: 17th March to 31st OctoberCost: ¤9.50 gardens only, ¤14.00 house, Famine Museum andgardens, ¤29.50 family ticketTel: 071 9633013 Email: info@strokestownpark.ieWebsite: www.strokestownpark.ie Galway • Mayo • Roscomm

GardensINFORMATION MAP

GALWAY • MAYO • ROSCOMMON