Thursday 7th August 2008

Altamont Gardens with Dick Warner

This is a great opportunity to visit Altamont Gardens, widely regarded as the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown. Open day in Altamont is hosted by the OPW.

gardening for wildlife workshop

Dick Warner provides practical, easy steps to garden for wildlife. Find out which plants attract songbirds, butterflies, frogs and other interesting wildlife. Dick will also discuss some easy eco-friendly gardening practices that help wildlife and also help to improve soil quality.

venue: altamont plant sales, altamont gardens, tullow, co. carlow time: 11.00am
tree trail with dick warner

Tree Trail with Dick Warner

Ever wondered about the names and identification of some of our native Irish and more exotic tree species? The Altamont Estate, which gains much of its character from its mature trees and exotic specimens is the perfect starting place. This tour, in the company of Dick Warner, one of Ireland’s foremost tree experts, is guaranteed to be a revelation.

Venue: meet at the car park, Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Time: 2 p.m.

 

Take a walk on the wild side

Walk through the ancient oak woods of the Ice Age Glen to the River Slaney and along its bank and be prepared for a unique insight into the informal and wild side of Altamont Gardens. A flight of 100 granite stone steps lead up from the river and are surrounded by a carpet of ferns. Featuring Dick Warner and Paul Cutler, head gardener at Altamont.

Venue: meet at the car park, Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Time: 3.30 p.m.

Altamont Gardens,
Tullow, Co. Carlow
Contact: Pauline Dowling/Paul Cutler
t: + 353 (0) 59 9159444
f: + 353 (0) 59 9159510
e: altamontgardens@opw.ie
w: www.heritageireland.ie or www.carlowtourism.com/gardens.html

Environmentalist and Nature Specialist, Dick Warner will guide you on a voyage of discovery through the grounds of Oak Park Forest Park, Altamont Gardens and along the banks of the River Barrow – Monday 4th, Thursday 7th & Sunday 10th August 2008.

 

Directions:

From Carlow Town follow the main N80 Carlow – Wexford road until you reach the village of Ballon. The gardens are 5km from the village of Ballon, off the N80. From Tullow follow signs for the Bunclody Road (N81). Altamont Gardens are 3 km from its junction with the Wexford road (N80).

Facilities:

Toilets, outdoor picnic tables, large car and coach park, restricted access for wheelchairs.

Widely respected as the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown, Altamont Gardens are an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens with riverside walks covering over 40 acres. The estate gains much of its character from the many mature trees, both natives in the avenues and woodland areas, and exotic specimens throughout the gardens including Cedrus deodora, Taxodium, Quercus rubra Aurea and Sequoidendron giganteum.

Lawns bisected by sculpted yews slope down to a lake surrounded by rare trees and rhododendrons and lead in turn to a very different garden featuring exotic shrubs and trees. A fascinating walk through the Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks and huge stone outcrops leads the visitor to the River Slaney.

The original Victorian layout was enhanced by Fielding Leckey Watson and his daughter Corona North, following his purchase of Altamont in 1924. Corona travelled extensively in her search for plants, which continue to flourish throughout the gardens, including Cornus kousa chinensis and Liriodendron tulipifera. When Corona North, who lovingly cared for the gardens for over 50 years died in 1999, the gardens were left to the State at her request. Ongoing restoration and maintenance continues under the careful stewardship of the Office of Public Works.

Altamont is a great experience at any time of year starting in spring with the wonderful snowdrop collection, one of the largest in Ireland and moving on to daffodils and other spring bulbs such as frittalaris and grape hychanth. Rhododendrons, azaleas and later on the rose collection is in full bloom in mid-summer, followed by contrasting autumnal colours and the beautiful silhouettes of the mighty trees in mid-winter.

OPENING TIMES:
January 9.00am - 4.00pm, Mon - Thurs. 9.00am - 3.30pm Fri. Closed
weekends.
February: 9.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days per week
March: 9.00am - 5.00pm, 7 days per week
April: 9.00am - 6.00pm, 7 days per week
May - August: 9.00am - 7.30pm, 7 days per week
September: 9.00am - 6.30pm, 7 days per week
October: 9.00am - 5.30pm, 7 days per week
Nov - Dec: 9.00am - 4.00pm, Mon - Thurs. 9.00am - 3.30pm, Fri. Closed weekends. Check for Christmas opening times.
 
ADMISSION CHARGES: Free individual admission. Guided tours available for groups by prior appointment – adults €2.75, OAPs €2.
 
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Each border has its own individual theme and colour from striking reds to cool white and blues, romantic pinks and  warm yellow glows. The scent of lavender fills the air over the summer months. The borders are planted mainly with herbaceous perennials with roses and trees, some with a fascinating history.

Other items of interest include the living willow tunnel, 200 year old Medlar tree and the composting area.

If you would like to pick up a little piece of Irish gardening history then Altamont Plant Sales, located within the borders, is the place to head where many of the plants grown in the border and throughout the gardens at Altamont can be purchased. A visit is a must during snowdrop time in spring, summer and early autumn.

 

LOCATION: In the grounds of Altamont Gardens – for directions please see Altamont Gardens entry above.