After what felt like Ireland’s longest winter, everyone wants out! Out of the big coats, out of the house and out of the car.
Get some fresh air and do it in style and colour! Kildare has some of Ireland’s finest gardens, all in blossom now.
So what are you blooming waiting for?
We’ve weeded out some of the best options.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Green Barn @ Burtown House (@burtown_house)
A post shared by The Green Barn @ Burtown House (@burtown_house)
Burtown House in an early Georgian villa, surrounded by lush flower, vegetable and woodland gardens with park and farmland walks. Large herbaceous borders, shrubberies and even a large woodland garden island can all be found here and you’re in luck – the gardens come to life from February but May and June are peak months for variety and colour.
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A post shared by TheIrishAesthete (@theirishaesthete)
If you like flowers, you’re not going to be disappointed here where you’ll find a collection of trees and shrubs which won’t be found anywhere else in Ireland The site attracts worldwide gardening groups and dendrologists to examine the 15 acre garden. Many plan their visit in May to witness a most spectacular display of colour from azaleas and rhododendrons. Keep an eye out for open days to ensure you get to visit these beautiful gardens, they are not to be missed!
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A post shared by Into Kildare (@intokildare)
It’s where wild meets wonderful. The wildlife conservation gardens at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre are situated over a one acre site. Work began on them in 2004 with an aim of providing a refuge for biodiversity. The gardens are completely peat free and home made compost is used to enrich the soil. The wild flower beds benefit insects and are managed without using pesticides or chemicals. Snails and other pests are controlled by a thriving population of frogs and beetles.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Irish National Stud & Gardens (@irishnationalstudandgardens)
A post shared by Irish National Stud & Gardens (@irishnationalstudandgardens)
Over 120,000 people visit what is regarded as the finest of their kind in Europe. Situated in the Irish National Stud, the gardens were created to feed the soul as well as nurture the senses. The gardens were laid out over a four-year period, from 1906, by Japanese master horticulturist, Tassa Eida, to symbolize life though plants and water and rocks.
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A post shared by Castletown House & Parklands (@castletownhouse)
The parklands in Castletown House and Parklands are a must see with almost one million visitors a year. The recently restored eighteenth-century designed parklands and river walks are open every day throughout the year with no admission fee. Why not pack a picnic and spend the day exploring this beautiful open space?!