Indulging in summer relaxation in your own personal oasis is a pleasure like no other, with your garden being your canvas to adorn as you please. Whether you’re a novice or an advanced gardener, seeking planting materials or planning a total revamp, there’s an ample amount of inspiration to be found across various gardens and horticultural centres nationwide. Our selection of top-tier destinations, from stately mansion gardens to Ireland’s most lively garden centres that also offer delightful eating options, will surely ignite your gardening passion and creativity.
The Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Garden
Positioned at Straffan’s Lodge Park in Co Kildare, conveniently situated between the M4 and M7, is a sight to behold for steam engine aficionados and garden enthusiasts alike. The Michael Owens Power Hall, relocated from its original location at Inchicore Railway works, displays an assortment of stationary steam engines. Adjacent to this is a stunning 18th-century walled garden, spanning 2 acres, that provides a great view of the river Liffey from Lodge Park. The Barista Bike cafe invites guests to savour a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a lunch prepared using ingredients harvested from the walled garden.
The Walled Garden at Coole Park Nature Reserve
Situated in Gort, Co Galway, Coole Park was once the residence of Lady Gregory and played a crucial role in the Irish literary awakening in the early 1900s. The sizeable walled Flower Garden, which Lady Gregory adored, houses a copper beech tree engraved with initials of various esteemed Irish writers. The remains of the original hothouses, once used to grow grapes and other fruits, now provide picnic spots and sitting areas. The adjoining tea rooms serve locally-sourced seasonal dishes and homemade baked goods.
Ardcarne Garden Centre
Located in Boyle, Co Roscommon, the Ardcarne Garden Centre is yet another ideal destination for gardening enthusiasts. You can reach them on 071-9667091 or visit their website at ardcarne.ie.
First established in 1986, Ardcarne has grown to become one of the premier garden centres in Ireland’s western region. It’s an ideal detour along the route between Dublin and Sligo, conveniently near Lough Key Forest Park and the Shannon Blueway. Ardcarne regularly provides gardening workshops and features a generously sized covered outdoor space for shopping, regardless of the weather. Their Garden Cafe allows pets and is renowned for its homemade meals which include items like the succulent Caprese chicken melt, tempting open crab sandwiches, or the delightful pear and almond scones.
In County Meath, you’ll find Loughcrew Estate & Gardens, a site with historical ties to St Oliver Plunkett. This garden provides an enchanting outing for families. Children can wander through the fairy trail, treasure map in tow, while the gardens themselves, extending over 1.1 hectares, are adorned with a lime avenue, well-maintained lawns, water features and terraces. The rustic Limetree café sits with a view of the 17th-century family church ruin, serving ethically sourced coffee and homely, cooked lunches.
Towards the end of the 16km Kingdom of Kerry Greenway, you’ll find Listowel Garden Centre. This dynamic garden centre and lifestyle store flourishes with an immense variety of garden plants, ornaments, tools and furniture. The foundation was laid by Liz and Nick McAuliffe over four decades ago, and now their offspring, Mairead and Feidhlim, helm the family venture. The Thyme Out cafe delivers a robust menu ranging from sandwiches to crepes and salads to quiches.
Finally, in the rural tranquillity of Pollagh, Rosscahill, Galway, hides Brigit’s Garden. A must-visited spot for any nature lover or gardening enthusiast.
Brigit’s Gardens is a distinctive spot that features Celtic-themed gardens, conceptualised by Mary Reynolds. Nestled on 4.4 hectares of terrain, it comprises woodlands, native wildflower meadows, and wetlands all aimed to highlight the magnificence of nature, our Celtic lineage and beauty. This not-for-profit is devoted to upholding biodiversity and conducting environmental training. Their vibrant and welcoming cafe serves premium fresh food featuring local produce plus signature dishes like home-cured salmon, toasted home-cooked ham sandwiches, and charred aubergine garnished with harissa and feta.
Arboretum on Old Kilkenny Road, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow boasts of its vast 4 hectare garden centre. They humorously promise a visit to their primary store in Co Carlow cost less than therapy and includes bonus tomatoes. The displayed gardens inspire visitors, while horticulture specialists are ready to provide guidance. Their other premise at the National Garden Exhibition Centre in Kilquade is equally notable.
Donegal Town, marking its 550th anniversary, houses the family-run Ashtree Garden Centre, located in Drumstevlin, Donegal. The plant offerings are primarily sourced from local nurseries and their friendly staff notably Robert, are ready to accommodate queries. The Potting Shed tea room is known for its home baking, particularly flavoured scones, apple tart and home-made brown bread. Various gluten-free alternatives are available as well.
Killruddery House & Gardens located on Southern Cross Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, is the historical residence of the Brabazon family. The impressive estate spans 323 hectares, nine-tenths of which are home to varied biodiversities. Notable features comprise eye-catching 17th-century gardens, the Long Ponds and a walled garden. The estate also has a Faerie Woodland Village and an enormous sandpit that can entertain children thoroughly. Grown-ups can check out the estate’s farm shop or Saturday farmers’ market, then visit the Grain Store, pizza shed or garden room coffee shop to sample meals prepared from produce grown within the estate.
Situated in Athy, Co Kildare, Burtown House & Gardens began as a Quaker farm and now spans a magnificent 160 acres of mature parkland. Visitors can enjoy a sculpture park, strolls along wildflower meadows, and farm walks. Shrubberies, rock gardens and a walled kitchen garden boasting a variety of old roses, peonies, and clematis adorn the estate. Further enhancements have been made with the addition of Jo’s Pantry Cafe to the delightful Green Barn restaurant. They offer a selection of dishes including toasties, seasonal garden soup, and Ibérico with garden herb sausages all prepared in a pergola-style structure equipped with a wood-burning stove.
Located in Camolin, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Cois na hAbhann holds an impressive seven victories in the erstwhile Bord Bia Garden Centre of the Year awards. Just one hour from Dublin, this home and lifestyle centre cater for garden lovers of the southeast, offering an extensive assortment of plants, garden items, clothes, and homewares. The Bay Tree, their on-site restaurant, provides an array of homemade bakes and fresh seasonal meals, offering a perfect pause during shopping or a cosy meet-up with friends.
Similarly, in Moneytucker, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Beechdale Garden Centre awaits to welcome any gardening aficionados or passers-by.
This family-owned gardening hub specialises in patio furniture, Irish-bred roses, and trees, and employs trained staff to provide tips on planning and layout of your garden. They provide services for container planting from hanging baskets to pots, aside from welcoming customers to meander in their sheltered outdoor site. At the helm of Wildflower Cafe is Keith Rothwell, providing daily house-baked sweets and bread, in addition to a daily special menu, sourcing local and wholesome ingredients.
Mount Congreve, located at Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, (contact: 051-384115) has seen a bustling activity lately due to newer features such as eco-lodges in the forest, artistically adorned gate lodges and a partnership with Foxford Woollen Mills. Nevertheless, the breathtaking gardens continue to be the primary draw. Countrified as one of the ‘Great Gardens of the World’, it features an unmatched collection of trees and plants. Pause for a break at Stables Cafe, run by CLIFF, which recently introduced a fresh breakfast menu, predominantly using produce from the gardens.
Solas Eco Garden Centre is set apart from standard garden centres by virtue of its eco-friendliness. Located at Dublin Road Business Park, Portarlington, Co Laois (contact: 057-9373330, website: ecogardenshop.ie), it doubles as a community centre. It offers a delightful variety of plants, patio furniture, and tools, and has initiatives like classes for transition year students, routine farmer’s markets, and pop-up shops. Aside from this, it features a 40ft tall lighthouse tower made from shipping containers. Visit their café for breakfast, stone-oven pizzas, fresh sandwiches or a light meal.
Find Grow It Yourself at Farronshoneen, Dunmore Road, Waterford, Co Waterford (contact: 051-584422, website: giy.ie).
Established in 2008, Mick Kelly’s Grow It Yourself (GIY) is a venture positioned in the outer region of Waterford City. It’s dedicated to assisting individuals in leading healthier, happier lives by cultivating their own food. GIY operates a 3-acre urban farm, highlighted in a series on Amazon Prime and RTÉ. It encompasses a prize-winning organic garden, zero waste cafe, educational food centre, and a refill store. Notably, the cafe is a platform for French chef JB Dubois’ innovative creations, which are made from ingredients grown within the farm or procured from the nearby market garden at Curraghmore Estate.
Away from Waterford, Carewswood is nestled just a stone’s throw from Cork City. It’s a well-organized, roomy garden centre with various plants, trees, garden items, and home decor on offer. The centre also engages its visitors with educational videos and timely garden advice from Daniel Leahy on social media. Located at the rear of the centre, there’s an inviting cafe that brings out the temptation to purchase something appealing. The café uses local and organic ingredients to cook an array of fresh pastries and unique dishes.
In Malahide, Co Dublin, you’ll find The Garden House. The owners, Bryan and Mandy Maher, have made a name for themselves by melding their love for gardening and cuisine in this charming location, just a bit outside of Dublin. Alongside a wide variety of plants, they offer garden furniture and BBQ tools. They also cultivate organic vegetables in polytunnels, operate a fruit orchard, and rear pigs, chickens, and cows. The co-located cafe gives off a bright, airy feel with its white clinkerboard decor, complemented by a menu filled with freshly cooked meals such as the Garden House pizza flatbread, warm goat’s cheese salad and chipotle chicken.
Woodfield Cafe and Garden Centre in Birr, Co Offaly, is another destination to explore. Located in Woodlands Cottage, Woodfield, it can provide something delightful and gardensque to anyone who visits.
Dermot and Hannah Woodfield, two siblings, established a garden centre that provides customers with organic items, plants, and pots for a more natural way of growing. After exploring the range of colourful plant presentations, customers can grab a bite in their nearly fully organic cafe, which incorporates genuine butter in their recipes. Their vegetables are procured from Lough Boora and Coolnagrower organic farms, rashers and sausages supplied by Tullamore’s Pigs on the Green, and wood-fired pizzas are part of the menu every Friday evening.
Ravens Court Garden Centre & Cafe can be found hidden away in the scenic winding roads of Kerry Pike, adding to the charm for visitors coming from surrounding Cork City. The centre not only has a wide assortment of plants, household items, and gardening necessities, but also boasts the Village Cafe & Deli, owned by Bryan Phelan and Michelle Murphy, both well worth the visit. Phelan’s proficiency in barbecuing is mirrored in various dishes including The Big Kahuna, a sticky pork banh mi, or a generously filled ciabatta with roasted lamb, smoked pancetta, and a slaw of broccoli and broad beans.
Chris Hanna has observed satisfying growth of Clonmel Garden Centre ever since he claimed ownership from his parents in 2011. It is one of Munster’s largest garden centres, which thrives on good customer service. All sturdy plants are backed by a two-year warranty and the centre presents an extensive selection of premium plants. The Beeches restaurant, with a seating capacity of one hundred, has a significant local following due to its homemade soups, confections and wholesome meal offerings.
Newlands Garden Centre, situated on the New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, can also be reached by calling to pre-order plants and other offerings.
Over half a century ago, Newlands was established by Mike and Phil Devitt and has since become a favourite garden centre amongst Dublin’s residents. With a radiant and inviting setting, Newlands offers an broad spectrum of plants including bedding, alpine, bamboo, and climbers. In addition to plants, there’s also a remarkable selection of garden furniture and barbecues, not to mention an array of reptiles and aquatics. The centre hosts a cafe and bakery on-site that makes an assortment of cakes and baked goods, which can be ordered through the website for specific events.
Nestled within the scenic Powerscourt Estate lies the remarkable Powerscourt Garden Pavilion, arguably the most ideally situated garden centre in Ireland. They are dedicated to fostering local businesses, and provide expert advice alongside their expansive plant assortment procured from Irish vendors. Gardening guidance is frequently posted to their website’s blog, as well as routine newsletters. After perusing their offerings, visitors can enjoy a stroll or a visit to the Avoca Cafe situated in Powerscourt House, where they can savour the stunning views of the exquisite gardens.