West Cork Garden Trail : West Cork Garden Trail

Bamboo Park

omd — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:41:14 +0000

Manager: Claudine de Thibault
Bamboo Park
Glengarriff, County Cork, Ireland

This is a unique setting (13 acres) on one of the most beautiful bays in Ireland. It creates the illusion that it is a lake but in fact it is the Ocean. Bamboos, palms, tree ferns, etc.what else could you ask for in the Southern part of Ireland, it lacks the excessive heat of the Mediterranean but looks like you’re in it. Some visitors are telling us: it’s heaven! Peace and quiet atmosphere, friendly reception at arrival, multilingual, seasonal tickets available and wedding photographs by appointment.

Coffee shop with homemade cakes baked every morning.

OPEN: Everyday (all year round).

ADMISSION: Adults € 5. Seniors € 4. Students € 3.50.

Children FREE. Dogs welcome.

LOCATION: Just before the village, before the Eccles Hotel.

Tel.: (027) 63007. Ticket office: (027) 63975.

Mob.: (086) 0628518.

Email: bambooparkltd@eircom.net

Website: www.bamboo-park.com

Raven’s Oak

omd — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:53:38 +0000

Susan & Michael Cobley
Derryishal
Bantry, County Cork, Ireland

From Primula vulgaris to Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ this garden is composed of many colourful rooms and secret corners filled with an abundance of well known and rarer plants. It includes herbaceous borders, a wildflower meadow, a bold exotic area and contrasting woodland area. There is an organically managed polytunnel and vegetable garden which supply the house throughout the year. Created from a bare site in 2004, Ravens’ Oak Garden is a hidden gem tucked away in unspoilt countryside and was designed to attract and encourage wildlife. It now boasts many species found in or immediately around the garden, with 60+ species of birds seen including resident Choughs and Ravens.

CHARITY DAY

Sunday 21 August,

11am–6pm

OPEN: 11am–6pm. Daily all year. Please telephone first except during trail days 11th–26th June.

ADMISSION: € 5.

LOCATION: From R586 Drimoleague-Bantry road take a right turn at Willy Pas’s pub, Colomane. Take the 2nd, almost hidden turning right by a pole with two yellow rings. Then take the first turning on the left and follow this road for approx 1 mile. Ravens’ Oak is situated on the right.
From Bantry – through the town past the library and continue on left past the church and convent. Continue on this road for about 3 miles until you arrive at a grotto and Francis O’Neil Monument and sign for Trawlebane. Take this road left and proceed for 1 mile. Turn right at a post with two yellow rings painted on it. Ravens’ Oak is the first house on the left.

Sorry no dogs. Toilets. Plants for Sale.

FACILITIES: B&B and self-catering apartment.

Tel.: (027) 53809. Mob.: (086) 8736436.

Email: info@ravens-oak.com

Website: www.ravens-oak.com

GPS: N 51.40.18 & W 9.23.07

Drishane House

omd — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:36:59 +0000

Drishane House
Jane & Tom Somerville
Drishane House
Castletownsend, Skibbereen

Magical paths thread through 18 acres of informal woodlands and gardens with spectacular West Cork coastal views. Huge swathes of Bluebells and Daffodils in the spring. Many specimen trees including the Tulip, Ginkgo and a massive Macrocarpa Cypress. There are unusual plants including the rare and delicate Woodwardia Fern near the house. Much of the garden was lovingly planned and tended by Edith Somerville of Somerville and Ross who lived in the beautiful slate fronted 18th century family house almost her entire life. Romantic and enchanting.

OPEN: 1st–20th May, 11th–30th June, 1st–20th October. 11am–3pm. House, garden and Museum€ 10. Garden and Museum€ 6. Senior Citizen € 6. Children under 6 free. Sorry no dogs.

DIRECTIONS: The entrance is at the top of the village, next to the turn for Tragumna. Large gravel entrance with old iron gates and gatelodge.

Tel.: (028) 36126 Email: jane.somerville@hotmail.co.uk

Website: www.Drishane.com

Woodcrest Garden

omd — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:18:54 +0000

Frank & Kitty Tanner
Raheen
Newcestown, Bandon, County Cork

A colourful attractively designed mature garden with lots of mixed planting and many features including pond with waterfall.

FACILITIES: Wheelchair friendly. Toilets. Tea/coffee making facility.
OPEN: 11th–26th June, 11am–6pm & 17th May–31st August by appointment.
ADMISSION: € 5
LOCATION: Location 1.8 miles from Michael Collins ambush site on Crookstown to Enniskeane road. From Cork/Macroom road tun off for Bantry N71/Castletownbere, R572 on to Crookstown Village and follow sign to Beal na mBlath. Keep left for Michael Collins Ambush site. Turn right at next crossroads for Enniskeane. Travel 1.3 miles to 4th house on right. Sign at entrance.
From Enniskeane. Take road opposite Castle Ahan Bar. Travel 0.6 miles take a right tun on to L2005 road for 4.8 miles. Look out for garden sign on left.
Tel.: (021) 7338155 Mob.: (086) 3395072
Email: woodcrestgarden@gmail.com
GPS: N 51.47.848 & W 008.52.855

River House Garden to feature in “The Irish Garden”

omd — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 10:55:17 +0000

It’s reported in the 27th March issue of the local paper, The Southern Star, that River House Garden in Skibbereen, owned by Lord David Puttnam and Lady Patsy Puttnam, will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Irish Garden magazine. Head Gardener, Monika Bergerhoff, is interviewed for a series the magazine is doing on Head Gardeners.

“What makes the garden special is that it has a very naturalistic look: Although a lot of time and thought has gone into it, somehow the planting has an incidental look about it,” says Bergerhoff.

Read the full story online at http://www.southernstar.ie/localnotes.php (after this week, you will need to search for the item by issue date).

Click to read more on this website: River House Garden Skibbereen

Kilcolman Garden

omd — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:43:06 +0000

Sarah Gornall, Kilcolman Rectory
Kilcolman
Enniskeane, County Cork, Ireland

Kilcolman Rectory is set in mature grounds with sweeping lawns, magnificent Beech trees, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Magnolias, old Roses, plenty of spring bulbs for sale. Good flower cutting garden. Vegetable and herb garden. Many rare trees and shrubs including Eucryphia cordifolia and Stewartia pseudocamelia.

OPEN: 11th–26th June from 2–5pm and April to September by appointment. All groups welcome. Cream teas served. Please book. (Unsuitable for wheelchairs as too much gravel. Also unsuitable for children under 12 years.) Sorry no dogs.
ADMISSION: €5
LOCATION: From Clonakilty: Take the Bandon Road and after Ballinascarthy, turn left on the sharp bend, signed Oliver Plunkett GAA ground, go straight down hill, turn left at T junction. The Rectory is 3rd entrance on right.
From Bandon: Take the Clonakilty road, turn right on the sharp bend immediately after the sign for Hosfords Blue Geranium Café. Go straight down hill, turning left at T junction and the Rectory is 3rd entrance on the right.
GPS: N 51.73.128 & W 8.86.649
Tel.: (023) 8822913
Email: sarahjgornall@eircom.net
Website: www.kilcolmanrectory.com

Glenview Gardens

omd — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:24:18 +0000

David and Mary Tanner,

Desert(serges)
Enniskeane, County Cork, Ireland

This 3 acre garden is full of surprises with each garden style flowing into the next. The front garden contains a sunken white garden, an Italianate canal and a Japanese garden. The boundary wisteria walk opens out into the bog garden and woodland area, from where you can continue to the tea house to enjoy a view of the Mediterranean and tropical gardens. Wander over the birch mound, which is surrounded by the wildflower meadow, into the walled kitchen garden to view the seasonal vegetables.

FACILITIES: Wheelchair accessible; Self-Service tea house; Toilets; Ample Parking. Available for wedding photos, etc.

OPEN: Daily 11am–5pm from May 1st–Sept 30th. Groups welcome anytime & evenings by appointment.

ADMISSION: Adults €5. Children €2.

LOCATION: 2.5km from Enniskeane.
From Bandon: follow the N71 Clonakilty road for 7km. Turn right after Hosfords Garden Centre. Follow signs for 4km. Or from Bandon take the R586 Dunmanway Road for 10km. Turn left at Murragh. Continue for 1km until you reach a crossroads. Turn right and continue to the 3rd house on the left.From Clonakilty: follow the N71 Bandon road and take the 2nd left 1km after Ballinascarthy. Continue for 7km to the 3rd crossroads. Turn left and continue to the 3rd house on the left.

Tel.: (023)8847230. Mob.: (087)2535971.

Email: glenviewgardens@hotmail.com

Website: www.gardenvisit.com/garden/glenview_gardens

GPS: N 51.43.861 & W 8.54.084

The Ewe Sculpture Garden

omd — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:35:13 +0000

Sheena Wood & Kurt Lyndorff
M71 Kenmare Road
Glengarriff, County Cork, Ireland

Often described as ‘Ireland’s Eden’ The Ewe is a unique combination of nature, art and narrative. It is a private home open to the public and Ireland’s only interactive sculpturegarden. The whole family can enjoy mind challenging games, creative areas and story boards for a learning experience like no other in a one kilometre walk. The four separate gardens of around 5 acres form part of a 280 acre nature reserve. The gardens are set by the beautiful Tooreen waterfall, that cuts its way down the Esk Mountain valley into the glen of Glengarriff. Turning off the N71 tourist route you enter a different world. The waterfall cascades down beside Falling Water Lodge, a timber clad house, designed and built by the owners. A vain emu, a sunbathing rhino and other humorous sculptures emerge from amongst grasses and bamboo in Falling Water Garden, beckoning from hiddencorners. Create your own gifts in the Earth Bead workshop. Bridges lead you across the waterfall to new discoveries in the Timeless Glen, a shady forest clearing with more sculptural surprises. Follow the Yarn-Spinners Trail of playful poetry or simply enjoy the sights and sounds. Meander up into the Environmental Forest, where all the sculptures are made of re-cycled materials. For story-lovers, informationon plants, animals, natural history and the environment give food for thought along the way. The journey continues high up through the Valley of Eden with spectacular views to the sea and the mountains and includes Evolution Walk, which tells the Earth’s Story from Bacteria to Dinosaurs to humans– with a chance to meet your ancestors!

Widely featured on TV and in the national & international media.

CHARITY DAY
See website for details.

OPEN: Every day 10am–6pm from Spring to Autumn. Please call if travelling far. Sorry no dogs.
ADMISSION: Adults € 6.50. Children € 5. Family of 4 € 20. ‘Edible Art’ ice creams, cakes and drinks for sale. Picnic tables by the river. Plant sale.
LOCATION: From Glengarriff 3 miles up the N71 road to Kenmare – well sign posted. Look out for the ‘Earth Men’ sculptures trying to slow you down and a map reading sheep on top of the vintage car.
Tel./Fax: (027)63840.
Email: info@theewe.com
Website: www.theewe.com
GPS N 51 46′ 37″ W 9 34′ 09″

‘Ireland’s Number 1 garden’
Irish Times

Bantry House & Gardens

omd — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:26:17 +0000

Mr & Mrs Egerton Shelswell-White
Bantry, County Cork, Ireland

Bantry House and Garden is located on the fringe of Bantry Town, commanding magnificent views over the bay. It is lived in by the descendants of the Earls of Bantry and has been enjoyed by visitors for 65 years.

Highlights are: Classical statues, urns, balustrades, Wisteriacircle/fountain, Parterre, Terraces linked by 100 steps,Circular beds, Topiary, Sunken Garden, Walled Garden (allotments/poultry), Woodland Walks, Guided Tours for groups by appointment, B&B accommodation, Tearoom, Special events/Weddings, Country Courses.

See our website for more information.

OPEN: 17th March–31st October. Daily 10am–6pm.
ADMISSION: €5
LOCATION: On N71 on west side of Bantry Town Centre.
Tel.: (027) 50047. Fax: (027) 50795.
Email: info@bantryhouse.com
Website: www.bantryhouse.com

Kilravock Gardens

omd — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:22:54 +0000

Malcolm & Phemie Rose
Durrus, County Cork, Ireland

A modern 2 acre coastal terraced garden hewn out of rock overlooking Dunmanus Bay planted to take full advantage of the mild climate of West Cork. Collections of Sorbus, Restios, Acers, ferns and Cordylines. Plants from both the northern and southern hemispheres thrive in the warm moist conditions and take you on a journey from shady woodland to the mediterranean. Featured in many national and international publications and national and inter national TV. Unusual plants for sale. (Sorry no dogs).

CHARITY DAY
Sunday 3 July
2–5.30pm

OPEN: 11th–26th June, 12–5.30pm. May-September by appointment. Groups at any time by appointment.
ADMISSION: Adults €6. Children €3.
Garden unsuitable for children under 12yrs.
LOCATION: Just over 1 mile from Durrus on the Kilcrohane road. See sign.
Tel./Fax: (027) 61111. Mobile: (087) 8161526.
Email: kilravock1@eircom.net
Website: www.kilravockgardens.com
GPS: N. 51.037.014 & W 009.33.055