Sunday, May 14th
Borris House, Borris, Co. Carlow, R95 W983
The Rare and Special Plant Fair, in association with Bord Bia, has taken place annually at various historic homes and gardens throughout Ireland. Due to extenuating circumstances, the venue has changed from Huntington Castle and Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow, to Borris House, Borris, Co. Carlow, which will host to this special event on Sunday 14th May 2023.
Up to 40 Specialist Nurseries from all over Ireland will be on site to offer and showcase beautiful, unusual and hard to find varieties of plants for sale, as well as giving expert advice on care and growing.
Situated in the beautiful Barrow Valley in County Carlow, Borris House is one of the most picturesque country houses in Ireland.
Constructed in the Tudor style, Borris House was built in 1731 by Morgan Kavanagh. It is the hereditary home of the MacMurrough Kavanagh family, former Celtic kings of Leinster, and the famous 12th century Kavanagh Charter Horn remains on display in the house today.
In 1798 it was badly damaged but was carefully restored in 1820 by Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison. The ornate Stapleton ceilings and the Chapel of St Moling are both architectural highlights, as is the antique furniture, carpets, porcelain, silver and paintings on display. A not-for-profit famine lace industry was founded at Borris House by Lady Harriet Kavanagh to provide employment for the women of the village during the Great Famine of Ireland in the 19th century—today’s visitors will hear this famous story and see a small selection of Borris Lace for themselves.
A walk through the gardens of Borris House will take in the breath-taking views of Mount Leinster, the Blackstairs Mountains and the Barrow Valley. The newly-established Lace Garden takes inspiration from Borris Lace, using symbols and shapes from the lace as well as a white colour palette of plants.
In the parkland and church paddock, visitors will find a rich selection of stunning trees like the Lebanon cedar, fern leaf beech and tulip tree, as well as some exotic trees, shrubs and flora. Around the house, visitors can walk along the woodland paths, enjoy the fairy trail along the way and visit the 18th-century ice house.
Entrance fees are as follows…
Fair & Garden Ticket: €7
Fair, Garden & House Tour Ticket: €12
