Castles & Gardens, Great & Small, South East Ireland

Itinerary

Day 1, Sunday, Travelling to Ireland

Departing from Shrewsbury at 09.00 we travel to Holyhead, with a comfort break enroute, to catch the afternoon ferry to Dublin. All ferry tickets are Stena Plus which gives access to a private lounge area with complimentary snacks and refreshments. Our planned arrival at the hotel is 21.00. Rather than have a late dinner at the hotel we thought that it would be more relaxing to eat on the ferry. Therefore, meal vouchers will be available so that you can eat dinner on the ferry when you are ready.

On arrival in Dublin we will go directly to the Riverside Park in Enniscorthy. Situated on the edge of Enniscorthy town, the hotel is next to a lovely riverside walk. Scroll down the page and click on ‘Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy’ to read more about the hotel and facilities.

Day 2, Monday, Johnstown Castle, Estate & Museum

Recognising that a travel day can be tiring we have taken this into account when planning our first day exploring Wexford. After a hearty Irish breakfast we depart from the hotel at 10.00 to visit the nearby Johnstown Castle, Estate and Museum. It is the perfect location to spend a leisurely day, while getting straight into the experience of County Wexford.

Experience the timeless beauty of Johnstown Castle and discover the fascinating ways its unusual history has been shaped by the changing fortunes of Ireland’s Ancient East. We will have a castle tour on arrival. This means that you are free to explore the Castle in more detail, take a break for coffee or lunch in the lovely café, visit the extensive museum and wander around the castle grounds at your leisure.

The Castle

Standing on an estate first granted to the Esmonde family after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, the estate’s fortunes over the centuries reflect the rich story of this region over the following centuries. In the 19th-century, the Grogan family re-imagined and remodelled the castle with a romantic, neo-Gothic design, with help from Daniel Robertson, who also shaped the gardens at the Powerscourt Estate.

After exploring the elegant life upstairs we will make our way downstairs to the kitchens to hear about servants’ lives and work. Our exit is via a remarkable 86-metre servants’ tunnel that kept busy staff out of sight in one of Ireland’s most distinctive big houses. (Other exits are available!)

The Castle Gardens

Enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the Castle gardens and discover the vibrancy of a fairy-tale estate that’s teeming with gorgeous planting and native wildlife. The gardens and lakes you see today were developed by the Grogan family, who brought their romantic vision to life, once again under the influence of Daniel Robertson.

The 4-acre walled gardens and hothouses, which were originally laid out between 1844 -1851, are being painstakingly restored by Head Gardener Ciarán Fitzgerald and an enthusiastic team of over 100 local volunteers.

Agricultural Museum

Explore one of the most comprehensive exhibits of farming and rural life in Ireland at the Irish Agricultural Museum.

Agriculture has been at the heart of Johnstown Castle Estate since time immemorial. Housed in the Estate’s farm courtyard buildings, this absorbing museum brings together intriguing objects and stories that reflect the realities of life in rural Ireland over the centuries. The museum’s collections, built up over 40 years, reflect traditions and progress in rural Ireland.

Over three floors, you’ll find 19 fascinating exhibitions that shed light on Irish rural life for farmers and tradespeople. Every object has a story, and artefacts retrieved from across the country reveal details about family life and community in Irish society from the 18th century onwards.

Day 3, Tuesday, Kilmokea Country Manor Garden

After another lovely Irish breakfast we depart the hotel a 09.30 for the charming Kilmokea Manor Gardens.

Kilmokea Country Manor Garden

On arrival, while we enjoy morning coffee, our host, Emma, will talk about the garden and how she has developed it over time. Once you are in the garden be prepared to be surprised and delighted as you explore the many ‘garden rooms’. Make your way through a large, old wooden gate to the woodland and you will find yourself in a tranquil haven.

The gardens at Kilmokea are beautifully laid out around a pretty Georgian house overlooking the River Barrow. Topiary, lawns, herbaceous and mixed plantings combine with architectural features and ornaments to provide an enchanting series of enclosures. A Large water garden extends into woodland planted with rare and tender trees and shrubs.

The wall garden is a place of peace and reflection with rose gardens, pools and herbaceous planting. Love seats are placed around every corner waiting to provide comfort for moments of contemplation. The potager designed as a box maize grows fruit and vegetables for the house. Spring water cascades in series of waterfalls through the woodland garden flowing past The Viking Settlement, Norman Motte,& Smaug the tree dragon before entering ‘The Myrtle wood’ story where woodland creatures live in lanterns in the trees waiting to meet garden visitors.

Pass through the old wooden gate to the woodland garden, with its host of winding paths and display of exotic plants. Cultivation of this area began in 1968 with the excavation of the large pond, uncovering a millstone and flume dating back to the 7th Century. The acid soil of this lower garden provides the perfect environment for Rhododendrons, tender Camellias eucryphias and magnolias not to mention Echiums, the giant borage which is closely associated with Kilmokea.

Day 4, Wednesday, Huntington Castle & Garden and Altamont Garden

With a 09.30 departure our first visit of the day is to the fascinating Huntington Castle and Garden situated in the historical village of Clonegal, County Carlow. Just a few minutes down the road is our second destination today, the often overlooked Altamont Garden, a jewel in Ireland’s horticultural crown.

Huntington Castle & Garden

If a castle can ever be descried as modest this castle is certainly more modest than Johnstown’s. Built by Sir Laurence Esmonde in 1625 the castle is now home to the Durdin Robertsons, descendants of the original Esmondes’. Arriving at 10.15 we will have morning coffee in the charming converted barn followed by a house tour and ending with an orientation of the garden.

Enjoy free time in the garden to explore The Italian Parterre or formal gardens, which were laid out by Lord Esmonde in the 1680s. They feature impressive formal planting and layout, including the fragrant rose walk. Over the past few years, the family has restored the stew ponds and lake. You can now see the original Water Gardens as they were laid out by the Esmondes in the 1680s.

The woodland area of the garden, with its champion trees, invites a slow wander through meandering paths, often cut through wilder grassy areas. Stop to take in the grandeur of The Yew Walk, planted before the formal gardens were created, where the trees are over 500 years old.

Make your way back to the barn for a light lunch after which we will make the short journey to Altamont Garden.

Altamont Garden

Whilst still little known, Altamont Garden ranks in the top ten of Irish gardens and is often referred to as ‘the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown’. Known as the most romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont is an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens located on a 100 acre estate. As with many of the gardens we visited during our research for this tour, the garden has a such a sense of peace and tranquillity it really does invite you to slow down, take deep breaths and soak up its beauty.

Originally, Altamont is thought to have been the site of a convent and the house as it exists today was built upon the remains of an earlier dwelling dating from at least the 16th century. Possibly known as Rose Hill, the estate subsequently became Altamont sometime in the late 18th century. The house is not open to visitors.

In the garden lawns are bisected by sculpted yews sloping down to a romantic lake surrounded by rare trees, rhododendrons, and interesting shrubs. A profusion of roses, old fashioned and modern, and herbaceous plants scent the air. A fascinating walk through the Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks leads to the majestic River Slaney. Along the River Walk, you may see salmon and trout rising, perhaps even an otter, and throughout the garden, an abundance of birds and butterflies. On your return via the Hill Walk, there are wonderful views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster.

Planted by succeeding generations of owner-gardeners, Altamont contains a collection of trees dating from 1750 to the present day. In the Ice Age Glen can be found stately sessile oaks of over 500 years old. There is an extensive collection of Sorbus, Quercus, Acer, Cornus, Nothofagus and Rosa and many other fine examples of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs.

The Garden contains many borders, intensively and informally planted with shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs. The formal Broad Walk with its clipped Irish yews contains collections of floribunda and shrub roses, underplanted with bulbs and violas. The soil enables a wide range of plants to be grown including acid lovers such as Rhododendron, Camellia and Embothrium.

Day 5, Thursday, Mount Congreve

After a busy itinerary, today we are slowing the pace a little and taking a whole day to appreciate the magnificent Mount Congreve Garden. Departing the hotel at 09.30 we plan to arrive at 10.30 taking in the beautiful scenery on the way. On arrival there is a video showing on repeat which tells the story of the garden. We have arranged a tour of the garden starting at 11.15.

The Gardens

A jewel of the gardening world, Mount Congreve Gardens, Waterford, hosts one of the largest private collections of plants in the world. The Gardens comprise around seventy acres of intensively planted woodland, a four acre walled garden and 16 kilometres of walkways. Planted on a slight incline overlooking the River Suir, Mount Congreve’s entire collection consists of thousands different trees, plants and shrubs.

The original gardens had comprised o a simple terraced garden with woodland of ilexes and sweet chestnuts on the slopes falling down to the river. Ambrose Congreve began planting parts of these in his late teens but it was not until 1955 that he began to make large clearings in the woodlands to create the necessary conditions where his new plants would thrive.

With the arrival of Mr. Herman Dool in the early sixties, the two men began the process that would lead to Mount Congreve’s recognition as one of the ‘Great Gardens of the World’. Up to the very last years of his life, Mr Congreve could be found in the gardens dispensing orders and advice relating to his beloved plants. If you have visited Exbury Gardens in Hampshire you may also notice the influence of Mr. Lionel N. de Rothschild, who acted as a mentor to Ambrose Congreve as he developed Mount Congreve.

On his death Ambrose Congreve left The House and Gardens to the State and today they are held in Trust.

Day 6, Friday, Travelling to Shrewsbury

Depending upon the time of our ferry from Dublin we plan to leave the hotel around 09.30.If time allows we will take a break somewhere scenic to enjoy a packed lunch provided by the hotel. Our afternoon crossing from Dublin includes Stena Plus tickets. Traffic permitting we aim to be in Shrewsbury for 21.00.

Booking your place

Two people sharing a twin or double room is £1430 per person. A supplement for sole occupancy of a double room is £170.

£100 non-refundable deposit is payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

The price for this tour is based on current exchange rates between sterling and the Euro and may be subject to change with currency fluctuations. If necessary the revised fees will be recalculated and fixed based on the exchange rate(s) ruling at the time your final balance invoice is issued approximately 10-weeks before the tour. Wisteria Tours will inform customers should the situation arise.

Travel arrangements

Departing Shrewsbury 09.00 on Sunday morning and arriving back in Shrewsbury at 21.00 on Friday. All timings are provisional and will be confirmed 7-days before travel.

Insurance & Travel Documents

For this trip you are required to take out your own personal holiday insurance and bring your passport or photographic identity.

And finally…

Please look at the Mobility & Accessibility section further down this page where we have put notes and links to information on venues.

Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy

We are staying at the 4* Riverside Park Hotel in Wexford, nestled on the banks of the River Slaney in the picturesque town of Enniscorthy. Overlooked by Enniscorthy Castle, the Riverside Park Hotel is the perfect location for us to explore the our destinations in the sunny south-east.

Offering contemporary accommodation with soft lighting and calming colour palettes infused throughout the bedrooms ensures a relaxing hotel experience. During our stay we have access to the leisure club including the swimming pool and treatment rooms but please note treatments are not included in the tour.

The hotel uses the finest of locally sourced ingredients from fresh fish, dairy, vegetables, potatoes and Wexford strawberries when in season.

For information on accessibility at the hotel please click here.

Arrangements for dinner

Dinner will be served at 20.00. On Tuesday evening, our first evening meal together at the hotel, we will meet for a pre-dinner drink to provide an opportunity to chat, relax and meet fellow travellers. Dinner is always a sociable time with tables being arranged to seat 2, 4 or 6 leaving you free to join dinner companions of your choice.

Accessibility & Mobility Information

Unfortunately information about accessibility and mobility arrangements at venues is not as comprehensive as it is in the UK but we have provided information and links where we can. We will contact the venues for more specific information and update this section asap.

This will take you to the website for Johnstown Castle, Museum and Grounds and you can email info@johnstowncastle.ie with specific questions. The Café, Irish Agricultural Museum, gardens and lakeside walks are fully wheelchair accessible. The Castle tour does include stairs and as in many old buildings the ground is uneven in places.

Kilmokea Manor Gardens has lots of small gardens connected by narrow, gravel paths not suitable for a wheelchair. The woodland paths are uneven and also not suitable for wheelchairs.

Huntington Castle does not have accessibility information. Please note, inside the castle floors can be uneven, there are uneven steps and there are steep steps down to the basement, however there is an alternative way out. Garden – sloping, woodland and level paths

Altamont Garden literature says ‘There is limited access for wheelchairs in the Main Garden only’. From our visit we advise there is a combination of even and more rugged surfaces throughout the estate. At the top of the garden as you go in the ground is even with lots to explore and plenty of seating. When taking a longer walk around the lake and crossing the bridge the surface is more uneven.

Mount Congreve has wide, even paths but as it is built on hill the paths are sloping and some have relatively steep inclines. The link goes to a map enables where you can get a feel for the terrain.

Castles & Gardens, Great & Small, South East Ireland

Tour Information

UPDATE: This tour has almost sold out of sole occupancy rooms so please call Jacky on 07892 953217 if you want to make a sole occupancy booking. All other bookings for twins and doubles can be completed online.

Included in the Tour

Johnstown Castle, Estate and museum with guided Castle tour

Kilmokea Country Manor Garden with morning coffee, a talk from the owner and light lunch

An afternoon tour with a local guide

Huntington Castle & Gardens with morning coffee on arrival, house tour and light lunch

Altamont Garden

Mount Congreve Gardens with guided garden tour

5 night’s staying at the 4* Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, including 3-course dinner and full Irish breakfast and packed lunch Friday 14 for return journey

Pre-dinner drinks on Tuesday evening, our first evening meal at the hotel

Coach from Shrewsbury to Holyhead for afternoon crossing ferry to Dublin, Stena Plus tickets both ways. Outward includes 2-course dinner with coffee on board served in the Stena Plus Lounge.

This tour is accompanied by sisters Jacky & Sue, Wisteria Tours

Coach travel throughout the tour with award winning Lakeside Coaches of Ellesmere.

Explore the Sunny South East of Ireland