Garden Tour of Ireland Shows Off Ireland's Greenery
Some of the best gardens in the world are located in Ireland, with an almost frost-free climate and an abundant supply of fresh rain.  The climate in Ireland allows for palm trees to grow along its southern and western coastlines.  With that in mind, Peter Olin, Director Emeritus of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, is leading a garden tour to Ireland this coming May 18 – 28 to visit some of the finest gardens that Ireland has to offer.    Ireland is famous for its castle gardens, botanical gardens and its emerald green landscape.  There is a strong tradition of agriculture and horticulture resulting in a high standard of garden management.  Starting with Powerscourt House and Gardens, one of Ireland’s greatest showpiece gardens and ending in the eerie landscape of the Burren, in County Clare, this tour visits a dozen or so gardens and botanical venues to give the garden fan, whether an avid gardener or a weekend weed digger, an opportunity to view the best of Irish gardens.
Powerscourt’s garden as it is today dates from 1841, largely the design of London architect Daniel Robertson, who allegedly only worked while he was drunk, and had to be moved about the garden in a wheelbarrow.  Fortunately, the layout and the beauty of the grounds allay any fear of a negative influence of the drink.  On the contrary, Powerscourt with its six terraces with statuary and formal beds, and a Triton Pool with a fountain underscore the creative power unleashed by Irish whiskey and ale.
The National Botanical Garden at Glasnevin, in the north of Dublin, is situated on 48 acres on a beautiful site on the banks of the River Tolka, with over 20,000 plants and very striking nineteenth-century greenhouses.  In recent years, the greenhouses and plant collection have been extensively restored to their former greatness.
Castle gardens are a wonderful addition to the Irish horticultural scene as well, and our tour visits two castle gardens, at Kilkenny Castle and Glin Castle.  Kilkenny Castle, the home of the powerful Butler Family since 1391, has a long established rose garden, together with 50 acres of charming and extensive pleasure grounds. Glin Castle was built in the 1780's on the south shore of the River Shannon. The garden has been extensively restored and includes a formal garden, pleasure grounds and a kitchen garden.
Another of Ireland’s most famous gardens is Ilnacullin Gardens, also known as Garinish Island, located on 37 acres on an island just offshore from Glengarriff, in West Cork, on Bantry Bay.  This is a jewel of an Italianate Arts and Crafts garden that thrives because of the gentle climate found in this region of Ireland.  The journey to this island is truly magical!  And Annes Grove, in Castletown Roche, in County Cork, is a 20th-century wild garden started in 1907 and developed by Richard Grove Annesley for nearly sixty years.  The end result is a garden that includes a woodland garden with an interesting collection of rhododendrons, river garden, walled garden, wild-flower meadow and lily pond.
Two Arboretums have been included in the tour as well – the John F. Kennedy Arboretum at New Ross, in County Wexford, and Fota Island Arboretum, just south of Cork City.  The JFK Arboretum is located on nearly 625 acres, with special emphasis on rhododendrons (over 500 different varieties), and many varieties of azaleas and heathers, with a large lake as the centerpiece of the garden, a haven for waterfowl.  Fota Island Arboretum, like the JFK Arboretum, takes advantage of the milder coastal climate to provide perfect growing conditions.  The name Fota derives from the Irish “Fód te” meaning “warm soil”.  Fota's arboretum and gardens are what they are today thanks to John Smith-Barry, who in the 1840’s, showed considerable foresight recognizing the significance of Fota's sheltered location and warm soil.  The development of the arboretum coincided with the great plant hunting expeditions around the world bringing back wonderful specimens from places such as the Orient, South America and the Pacific coast of northwest America.
But the tour is not just about gardens -- visits to famous sites such as Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, the Guinness Brewery and Storehouse, Jameson’s Distillery, and an Irish House Party, along with an optional Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle are all in store for tour members
An optional two-night extension to the tour is available as well, featuring two nights’ stay in Drogheda, where the tour visits Newgrange, Belfast and the gardens at Mount Stewart, in County Down.
Tour prices for the land only portion of the tour start at $2,495 per person for double occupancy.  Airfare is extra.  Contact Jim Glad at Glad To Travel (612.724.1915 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more details.