Spring Has Sprung: The Top Activities for Garden Enthusiasts in Laois
As the days gradually lengthen and temperatures begin to rise, County Laois has come to life with the vibrant colours of spring. It is the perfect time for garden enthusiasts to dust off their tools, don their gardening gloves, and immerse themselves in the variety of gardening activities that Laois has to offer this spring!
Laois Garden Trail
Home to rich and fertile landscapes, County Laois has always been a go-to destination to see breathtaking gardens. The Laois Garden Trail offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful public and private gardens that Ireland has to offer. There is so much to see on the trail, including Mary Keenan’s Gash Gardens, an inspirational garden for plant enthusiasts created by a passionate dairy farmer with an extraordinary vision! Gash Gardens invites exploration and is a haven for people who are passionate about plants and gardens, offering sweeping herbaceous borders with an imaginative blend of vibrant and unusual planting. Additionally, there is so much to explore in the contemporary landscapes of Gortnalee Gardens. Visitors are welcome to avail of workshops, and design services, to learn more about gardening. Garden enthusiasts are spoiled for choice across the vast array of activities on the Laois Garden Trail!
Solas Eco Garden Shop: Gardening Festival 2024
Join Solas Eco Garden Shop for a blooming good time at their annual garden festival from 2nd-3rd March 2024. This festival has it all; from a Wildflower Masterclass, Plant and Seed Swap event and a gardening workshop by Gash Garden’s extraordinaire, Mary Keenan. This festival gives garden lovers across Laois an amazing opportunity to level up their skills with ease!
Festival of Gardens and Nature
The Festival of Gardens and Nature inaugural festival to Ballintubbert House, 20-21st April 2024! It takes place in the spectacular surroundings of the Ballintubbert Gardens and is a must-go event for garden enthusiasts and those with green thumbs! The festival is a gathering of curious souls who feel more at home in the potting shed than the TV room can inspire. Come learn and share, listen and be inspired! Get ready for summer in the garden. Tickets are on sale now!
Heywood Gardens
For those looking for some inspiration for their garden, get entranced by the breathtaking landscape of Heywood Garden in Ballinakill, Co. Laois. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1912, these gardens offer 50 acres of unspoiled woodlands, lakes and magnificent floral displays. From its historic architecture to romantic landscapes, there is something for every green thumb to enjoy!
Buds & Blossoms: Laois Garden Festival
From top gardening speakers and leading plant specialists to local food producers and an entertainment zone, it’s all there at Buds & Blossoms! Held on the Spink Community Grounds, this year’s festival is back with a bang! A wide variety of local food producers and plant sale specialists are exhibited at Buds & Blossoms, as well as garden centres and branches of the Irish Specialist Nursery Association. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear from Ireland’s leading garden experts, such as Frances Tophill, BBC Gardeners world presenter, and Karl Wright, creator and owner of Caherbridge Gardens in Co Clare. Local speakers include Emily Lalor, The Flower Witch , Timahoe, Co. Laois and John Jones, Master My Garden, Cretyard, Co. Laois. Don’t miss out!
Dunmore Country School
Immerse yourself in a fountain of knowledge at Dunmore Country School. Run by French biodiversity experts Tanguy and Isabelle de Toulgoët, this school offers visitors the opportunity to learn how to grow vegetables sustainably as well as how to encourage biodiversity in your garden with beekeeping! Guests can visit this garden by appointment or by booking a beekeeping or intensive sustainable gardening course.
Emo Court and Parklands
Make a day of it at Emo Court and Parklands! Explore the scenic landscape and discover the history of the grounds with a tour of the house built by the Earls of Portarlington and designed by famed architect James Gandon. After soaking up the beauty and history of Emo Court, relax at the onsite restaurant and café, or enjoy a leisurely springtime picnic in the parklands.
With its captivating trails and picturesque landscapes, Laois is a perfect place to get gardening inspiration this spring. Whether you’re seeking the tranquillity of historic gardens or the excitement of gardening festivals, Laois has something to offer for every plant lover. Visit here to plan your next gardening venture or take a look at our handy Laois Garden Trails Brochure!