Single person supplement £299
We’ve had a number of requests for a visit to Ireland and research has revealed a spread of gardens across the island as a whole (including Northern Ireland), so we’ve decided to split the island into Gardens of the North, Central and Southern Ireland. For our first venture we’ll start with the centre.
We generally try to depart between 8am and 9am, and exact times will be confirmed in the final timings itinerary which arrives about a week before travel.
We send this close to travel so we can plan for any major traffic issues which sometimes arise due to road works etc.
Tuesday 8th July 2025
Our aim at Pennywood Tours is to give you a relaxing and carefree time where we do all the work so you can sit back and enjoy the trip.
To this end, all tours are escorted by a group leader who will check you on board and make sure you can find your allocated seat. We’ll seat you with the person/people you are booked with but if you know of anyone else on the trip who has booked separately please let us know in advance and we’ll try to seat you all together. The coach will be a super deluxe vehicle with a toilet and is incredibly comfortable.
Our Group Leader will advise you of all the details of travel times, stops, when to return to the coach etc. so you will be in no doubt about what and when. He or she will be available for any additional questions you may have.
We will do our best to stick to our itinerary but you will understand that when there are traffic jams or adverse weather conditions, we may struggle to do everything as planned but we will let you know what information we have in these situations when we have it.
We look forward to seeing you and welcome any questions you may have by contacting us at info@pennywoodtours.com or on 01622 434 981.
Our trip begins with a journey to Holyhead on Anglesey. We’ll take regular stops every 90 minutes or so, but we’ll also visit Trentham Gardens to stretch our legs and take in the beautiful scenery. These gardens are a fusion of formal Italianate gardens and modern herbaceous and prairie-style plantings. In 2000, they underwent a £120 million redevelopment, which included the development of a Garden Centre and retail village. You’ll have lunch options and a chance to explore the gardens.
We’ll then make our way to our accommodation for the night, the 4-star Quay Hotel and Spa in Conwy.
After taking the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, we’ll head to the Loughcrew Estate. This estate spans 200 acres of picturesque rolling parkland with stunning gardens. Don’t miss the heritage gardens, which offer extensive lawns, terraces, a water garden, a herbaceous border, a medieval motte, St Oliver Plunkett’s family church, a 400-year-old yew walk and the fairy trail. We’ll then continue our journey to the 4-star Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise, where we’ll have access to leisure facilities including a swimming pool.
After breakfast, we’ll visit Tullynally Gardens. These gardens cover over 12 acres and include walled gardens, woodland gardens and ornamental lakes. The current layout dates back to the early 1800s, and the owners have added many new features. Don’t miss the Castle Terraces, Pleasure Ground, Grotto, Flower Garden, Kitchen Garden (home to llamas and Nandi bulls), Upper Lake, Forest Walk, Tibetan Glade, Chinese Garden, Lower Lake, Magnolia Grove and the castle itself.
Next, we’ll explore Belvedere. This estate features a fully restored Georgian Villa, a Victorian Walled Garden, 18th-century parkland and romantic follies, including the largest in Ireland, the Jealous Wall.
We’ll start the day at Powerscourt Gardens, voted one of the world’s top 10 gardens by National Geographic. These gardens stretch over 47 acres and offer formal gardens, terraces, statues, lakes, hollows and walks. The house also provides stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain and offers shops and a café.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit Mount Usher, one of Ireland’s greatest gardens. With its relaxed and natural layout, it’s considered a world-class example of a Robinsonian garden. Explore the 22-acre garden with its 32 Champion Trees and over 5,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, and plants. Enjoy the café and boutique stores.
We’ll start the day at the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh. These gardens were developed extensively during the 19th century and are famous for their conifer and rhododendron collections.
Next, we’ll visit Patthana, an award-winning village garden in County Wicklow. Explore the lower courtyard, sunken meditation room, main courtyard, and upper terrace garden. Each area showcases a wide variety of plants.
We’ll make our way back to the UK via the Holyhead ferry and return to the 4-star Quay Hotel and Spa in Conwy.
On our way back, we’ll visit Baddesley Clinton, a moated house with gardens near Warwick. This historic house is known for its Priest Holes, built in the 16th century.
After this visit, we’ll conclude our journey and head home.
Please note, all venues will require walking, possibly with steps and steep slopes, which may be slippery and uneven. You should be prepared to dress appropriately for the weather.