Altamont Gardens, Ireland
Altamont Gardens, located in County Carlow, is a hidden treasure that many of the locals aren’t even aware of. The garden is nestled off of N80 in Tullow. It is acclaimed by those who have visited the garden to be the most romantic garden in Ireland. This 100-acre estate is a combination of formal and informal gardens.
When entering the estate, you will pass by a grand, although quite run down, house that is covered in vines. When you park, you will pass through the entrance and enter a peaceful and tranquil garden. Visiting the garden was so relaxing for me. It was such a joy to just enjoy the beauty of the place.
There are many rare plants and trees all throughout Altamont Gardens. Everything is perfectly manicured and looks absolutely beautiful. Walking through the gardens, you will notice the magnificent scents of the surrounding flowers. You will walk through the Bog Garden, the Arboretum, and the Ice Age Glen before you reach the lake. The Ice Age Glen is made up of a canopy of large oaks.
My favorite part of the gardens is the lake. There are so many beautiful flowers and trees to enjoy here. There are also benches so you can relax and enjoy your surroundings. There are different kinds of fish as well as animals in and around the lake. On the way back through the gardens along the Hill Walk, you will see magnificent views of the Wicklow Mountains.
Although it has yet to be proven, the grounds are believed to have once been inhabited by a convent. There also seems to have been a monastic on the adjoining grounds. The Estate became known as Altamont during the late 18th century. The original layout was made by Fielding Leckey Watson, and was later taken over by his daughter Corona North after he bought the Altamont in 1924. Corona traveled all over the world to find the plants which continue to thrive and flourish today. Upon Corona’s death in 1999, the estate was left to the state per Corona’s request.
The garden is open daily from 9 AM until 7:30 PM. Admission is surprisingly free! For more information and history, visit http://www.altamontgarden.com/Web%20Pages/information.htm
Shannon Guess