Great Gardens of Southern Ireland – 2027

Our trip begins with a journey to Holyhead on Anglesey, with regular comfort stops. We also visit Trentham Gardens for lunch and time to explore its 300 acres of revived historic landscapes, including the Italian Garden, naturalistic meadows and Capability Brown’s mile-long lake.

We then continue to the 4-star St George’s Hotel in Llandudno for our first night.

After taking the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, we visit Ardán Garden on the Howth Peninsula. This contemporary flower and sculpture garden combines colourful planting, innovative design and biodiversity in a beautiful coastal setting.

Close by is Medina, an expertly curated exotic foliage garden with a remarkable range of plants. We then continue to the 4-star Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise for three nights, with leisure facilities including a swimming pool.

Today we visit Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow. Set against the Wicklow Mountains, its 47 acres combine elegant terraces, ornamental lakes, statues, woodland walks and formal planting.

In the afternoon we visit Patthana Garden in Kiltegan, created by artist and plantsman T. J. Maher. Its vibrant borders and carefully composed planting make this intimate private garden one of Ireland’s finest hidden gems.

We begin at Hunting Brook Gardens in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Created by plantsman Jimi Blake, it is known for bold planting, rare collections and colourful borders across woodland, meadow and ornamental areas.

We then visit Tinode Farmyard and Garden, centred on the acclaimed garden created by June Blake. Innovative planting, historic farm buildings, meadows, woodland and water features create a distinctive blend of horticulture, heritage and rural charm.

After checking out, we visit Lismore Castle Gardens in County Waterford, among Ireland’s oldest cultivated gardens. Formal terraces, lawns, colourful borders, a kitchen garden and contemporary sculpture sit within the historic castle walls.

We then continue to Blarney Castle and Gardens near Cork, famous for the medieval castle and Blarney Stone. The surrounding 60 acres include woodland walks, rare plants, ornamental borders, the Rock Close and Poison Garden.

In the evening we settle into the highly rated Talbot Hotel in Midleton.

Today is free for you to enjoy Cork at your own pace. You might visit Cobh and its Titanic Experience, take a trip to Spike Island, see St Colman’s or St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, explore the English Market or simply relax in the city’s cafés and restaurants.

All venues today are at your own expense.

We bid farewell to Cork and head north-east, visiting Knockpatrick Gardens near Foynes in County Limerick. Developed over almost a century, this three-acre botanical farmhouse garden overlooks the Shannon Estuary and contains rare and exotic plants, water features, woodland areas and an arboretum.

In the evening we return to the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise for our final night in Ireland.

Today is our transfer day back to the UK, followed by an overnight stay at the stunning Quay Hotel and Spa near Conwy.

On our final day we travel home, stopping at Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire for lunch and time to visit. This historic moated manor was home to the Ferrers family for 500 years and famously sheltered persecuted Catholic priests in secret hiding holes. Today, the National Trust property combines beautiful gardens with medieval architecture.