Sunday 07/08/11
Tree Trail with Dick Warner at Altamont Gardens & Huntington Castle
Tree trail with Dick Warner at Altamont Gardens
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 carpark, Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Time: 11 a.m. Admission: FREE
Huntington Castle & Gardens
Nature trail with Dick Warner at Huntington Castle
Learn about the spectacular ecology and scenery of these woodlands and meadows in the company of Dick Warner, one of Ireland’s renowned environmentalists. Savour the sight of the magnificent trees, learn about the history of one of Ireland’s earliest water turbine houses, smell the fresh fragrance of its wild flower meadows and listen for the sounds of the resident ravens and buzzards.
Venue: Meet in the courtyard, Huntington Castle, Clonegal, Co. Carlow.
Time: 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults €5.00 children 12-18 €3.00 under 12 FREE
Tea Rooms will be open for teas coffees, lunch etc. Tours of Huntington Castle also available.
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Huntington Castle and Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow
t: + 353 () 53 9377552
f: + 353 (0) 539377160
e: genova@eircom.net
w: www.carlowgardentrail.com
These gardens were mainly laid out in the 17th century by the Esmondes who built Huntington Castle in 1625. These include the French limes on the Avenue, the lawns to the side of the house, the fishponds on either side of the centre walk through the wilderness and the majority of Yew trees which comprise the Yew Tree Walk.
Larger plantings have resulted in Huntington possessing a number of champion trees, including four varieties of Hickory, a Cut Leaf Oak, Siberian Crab and Buckeye Chestnut. A lake at the bottom of the wilderness was built for ornamental purposes but next to it is one of the earliest water turbine houses in Ireland, providing Huntington with its own electricity as early as 1888. Both the lake and turbine house are to be restored in the near future. The River Derry flows along the bottom of the wilderness, providing a pleasant setting for woodland walks.
“The first thing that strikes you about Huntington, apart from the derelict beauty which hangs over most of the Ascendancy buildings, are the palm trees. Several tall specimens suddenly appear at the end of the long yew tree avenue” – Mal Rogers, Aer Lingus Cara Magazine August 2005.
The River Derry flows along the bottom of the wilderness, providing a pleasant setting for woodland walks.
Facilities: Car park, toilets, restricted access for wheelchairs, guided tours of Huntington Castle.
Directions: In the village of Clonegal – well signposted.
Opening times: June – August inclusive. Open at other times by arrangement.
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Altamont Plant Sales - The Walled Garden at Altamont, Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow
t: 087-9822135
e: altamontplants@hotmail.com
w: www.carlowgardentail.com/
Altamont Plant Sales
Corona North Commemorative Border
Altamont Plant Sales
An unmissable highlight of a visit to Altamont Gardens is the Walled Garden situated within the grounds of the estate and run privately by gardener and nursery man Robert Miller. The area consists primarily of the Corona North Commemorative Border planted to honour the late Corona, owner of Altamont. 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.
Altamont Plant Sales has not only grown in size in the last few years, but more so in reputation as a place to acquire seriously good garden plants. Always renowned for its extensive range of herbaceous perennials, Altamont Plant Sales can also boast of having one of the largest collections of old shrub roses available for sale to the gardening public year round.. Rare oaks, maples, cherry blossoms, dogwoods, magnolias, beech and smaller flowering trees and shrubs suitable for every-sized garden are also available throughout the year. Robert Miller of Altamont Plant Sales is also available for consultancy work for new and mature gardens.
HOW TO FIND US: In the grounds of Altamont Gardens – for directions please see above.
OPENING TIMES:
Opening Times: 01.01.10 – 30.11.10 10 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekends. Rest of year 10 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. weekdays. Closed weekends.
w: www.carlowgardentrail.com
Waterfall at Altamont Gardens. pic: James Burke
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Altamont Gardens & Huntington Castle
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.carlowgardentrail.com and www.heritageireland.ie
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Dick Warner, well known environmentalist will guide you on a voyage of discovery through Altamont Gardens.
Directions to Altamont:
Exit the M9 at junction 5 for N80. Continue along the N80 (in direction of Wexford) through the village of Ballon and N80/N81 junction. Continue for 2km, turn left at next cross road junction signed Altamont Gardens. Alternatively, visitors travelling directly from Carlow town may follow the N80 Wexford – Rosslare road and continue as above.
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:
01.02.10 – 28.02.10 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 7 days per week, except Friday closes at 3.30 p.m.
01.03.10 – 31.03.10 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 days per week, except Friday closes at 3.30 p.m.
01.04.10 – 30.04.10 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. 7 days per week
01.05.10 – 31.08.10 9 a.m. – 7.30 p.m. 7 days per week
01.09.10 – 30.09.10 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. 7 days per week
01.10.10 – 31.10.10 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. 7 days per week
01.11.10 – 31.01.11 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Friday. Closed weekends. Check for Christmas opening times.
ADMISSION CHARGES: Free individual admission. Guided tours available for groups by prior appointment – adults €2.00
Nun's Walk at Altamont Gardens
Ice Age Glen at Altamont Gardens
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| For further information on the Carlow Garden Festival contact Carlow Tourism
Tel +353 (0) 5991 30411
Fax +353 (0) 5991 30477
info@carlowtourism.com |
"Truly a heavenly garden with everything from herbaceous borders to a bluebell wood"
Georgina Campbell Guide
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