Spring Gardens Visit

Visit two April Gardens in Co Wicklow

Join us for guided tours of two very different gardens. One a privately owned garden

designed in the 1990’s the other an old country estate now part of the National Botanic

Gardens of Ireland.

We start the day in Knockanree at 11.00a.m.

Steve Rooney is managing the garden with respect for its original design, but with an eye to

removing invasive material and adding native plants. He and Nadiya Nottingham want to

encourage wildlife and biodiversity and are practicing a low-touch approach. His first project

at Knockanree was creating 30-meter-long garden of espaliered pears and apples along a

west-facing wall adjacent to the house. This wall garden includes prostrate rosemary, thyme,

oregano, and native hawthornes and viburnum opulus. The Magnolias and Camellias should

be in full bloom.

Good to know!

 Eircode: Y14DY89

 Parking – Limited. Car-pooling from Avoca recommended.

 Guided tour starting at 11.00am.

 No Refreshments available.

 Wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather.

A 20 min drive brings us to National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh.

Our guided tour doesn’t start until 2.30pm allowing time for people to find whatever

refreshments needed in the interim. Many of the cafes in the area e.g. Avoca, The

Deeps at Beehive and the Acton Café tend to be quite busy on Saturdays. If you have

time to spare you could explore the area in Kilmacurragh near the entrance – not so

frequently visited!

We will gather in main car park at 2.25pm.

Kilmacurragh was previously owned by Acton family who received material from many plant

hunting expeditions in 18 th and early 19 th century. Since National Botanic Gardens took over

management in 1990s much restoration and revitalisation has taken place. It is an historic

heritage garden with major collections including rare and endangered conifers. The

Rhododendrons and thebulb and the wildflower meadow should be looking superb at this

time.

Good to know!

 Eircode: A67YR12

 Ample parking

 Mainly flat garden with some grassy paths and few steps.

 Wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather.

There is no charge for either of these events but MUST be booked.

Members may book for one non-member.

Please cancel if you have booked and cannot travel tas he place may be needed for another.

Limitation of Liability for Garden/ Venue:

Members are advised that the IGPS does not accept responsibility for the state, condition or insurance cover of any garden or venue visited, or as to organisational matters for visits.

Therefore, as far as IGPS is concerned, anyone attending this visit event does so at their own risk.