Seamus O’Brien explores the evolution of the gardens at Huntington Castle focusing on both historic and new planting, including the planting of acid-loving rhododendrons under his advice in recent times.
These gardens were mainly laid out in the 17th century by the Esmondes. They include the French limes of the Avenue, the “parterre” or lawns to the side of the house, the fish ponds on either side of the centre walk through the wilderness and the majority of Yew trees which comprise the Yew Walk. Larger plantings have resulted in Huntington possessing a number of great Irish trees, including four varieties of hickory, a cut leaved oak, Siberian crab and buckeye chestnut.
Venue: Huntington Castle and Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow
Time: 3.30 p.m.
Admission: adults €10
Contact: 053-9377160/086-0282266
W: www.huntingtoncastle.com
Tea rooms open for tea, coffee and light snacks (outside dining only).
Author and explorer, Seamus O’Brien is Ireland’s leading plantsman and manages the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh in County Wicklow.
He has travelled the world in search of plants and is a Corresponding Member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Woody Plant Committee.
He writes for several publications including Kew’s Curtis’s Botanical Magazine and is keenly interested in Irish garden history.