A Garden Lovers’ Tour of Ireland’s Coast and Country
Sunday 22nd – Monday 30th June 2025 (8 nights)
This tour is now fully booked. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please click here.
Where the Gulf Stream finds Europe, there is a verdant island, bursting with the most incredible collection of gardens. Our luxurious tour, staying at three 5-star hotels, features the very best Irish gardens – from the intimate private sanctuaries of Ireland’s best gardeners, to the grand estates of the past and their plant hunting collections. Explore the wild, rugged coastline of the south-west, enjoy the lush green landscapes and meet the world’s best story tellers.
- Superlative scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way and Breara Peninsula.
- Garden tour at the iconic Blarney Castle and Lismore Castle.
- Time in the stylish town of Kenmare.
- June and Jimi Blake’s wonderful gardens.
- The garden island of Garinish.
- Many private gardens with inspiring owners.
- The majestic Powerscourt Gardens.
Photo credits: Images courtesy of: Tourism Ireland; Blarney Castle; Ardan Garden; June Blake; Jimi Blake; Lismore Castle; Patthana; Powerscourt; other images copyright Sisley Garden Tours.
After our morning pick-up at Dublin Airport, we make our way south-west, stopping en-route at the Cashel Palace Hotel. From here we make a short visit to the Rock of Cashel before returning to the hotel for lunch (included) with views over the Rock of Cashel.
We arrive, late afternoon, at the 5-star Sheen Falls Lodge, situated on the beautiful Kenmare Bay. Dinner at the hotel (included).
Monday 23rd June
We begin today by taking a small boat to Garinish Island, sometimes known as Ilnacullin. The garden island of 37 acres was designed by Harold Peto, acclaimed architect and garden designer.
Next we visit Derreen Garden on the spectacular Beara Peninsula. Here we will have lunch (included) and enjoy a tour of the gardens. This woodland garden was laid out 150 years ago with subtropical plants from around the world and has incomparable views of the sea and mountains. We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Tuesday 24th June
Today, we explore a magnificent corner of The Ring of Kerry. We spend the morning visiting Gearha House in the Blackwater Valley. The garden, which contains many unusual plants and shrubs, stretches into the native bog to a newly planted arboretum. We have lunch (included) nearby.
In the afternoon we explore a private, 4-acre contemporary garden, whose artist gardener, has created this enchanting place over the past 25 years. We return to the hotel where your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Wednesday 25th June
After check out, we have some free time in the charming town of Kenmare with its excellent shops, galleries, museums and even a pre-historic stone circle! There is time for lunch (independent).
In the afternoon, we visit the world-famous Blarney Castle, where we will have a tour of the gardens which have been significantly developed over recent years. We then travel to the 5-star Castlemartyr Resort set in 220 acres of beautiful countryside to the east of Cork. We check in late afternoon and have dinner in the hotel (included).
Thursday 26th June
Your morning is at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities which include a swimming pool, historic gardens and 220 acres of estate grounds including the ancient castle with time for lunch (independent).
In early afternoon, we depart for the town of Lismore to visit Lismore Castle, the Irish residence of the Dukes of Devonshire (Chatsworth being their English seat). We have a guided garden tour followed by time to look in the gallery.
We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Friday 27th June
After check out, we travel to Thomastown to visit a private garden surrounding a historic cottage orné, dating from the 1790s. We meet the owner who will show us around the delightful gardens and provide lunch (included).
Our next destination is a small but exquisite and exuberant garden, Patthana. Again, we meet the very knowledgeable owner to learn about the garden’s creation.
In the late afternoon, we check into the 5-star Powerscourt Hotel overlooking the Wicklow Mountains. Your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Saturday 28th June
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure in the hotel and to stroll across to Powerscourt Gardens – a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes (entry included). If you wish to join a tour of the gardens, we have arranged for a guide to show us around.
There is time for lunch (independent) and to explore the lovely shops and café at Powerscourt.
In the afternoon there will be the opportunity to taste some Irish whiskey at Powerscourt Distillery. We then drive into the Wicklow Mountains to a traditional Irish pub for dinner (included).
Sunday 29th June
We begin today with a visit to Jimi Blake’s famous garden, Hunting Brook. We will explore this fascinating, exuberant garden which has one of Ireland’s largest private collections of plants. We stop for lunch nearby (included).
Afterwards, we head ‘next door’ to see Jimi’s sister at the delightful and contemporary June Blake’s Garden – a rare fusion of inspired design and painterly planting. We tour the garden with June. We return to the hotel for dinner (included).
Monday 30th June
After check out we make our final garden visit to Ardán Garden on the Howth Peninsula, north of Dublin. This is a dynamic, contemporary and ever-evolving garden which includes an eclectic botanical collection, artistically arranged.
We end with lunch together (included) on Howth harbour before dropping off at Dublin Airport in the late afternoon.
Note: Some garden visits await final confirmation at the time of publication.
Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here. To download a printable version of this itinerary, click here.
Our Hotels
Our hotels are 5-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are ensuite and offer free wifi access.
Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare Bay (3 nights)
Set amidst 300 acres of magnificent woodland and waterfalls, Sheen Falls Lodge is a luxurious 5-star hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way. All the rooms are elegant and spacious, with striking views. The health club boasts an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Castlemartyr Resort, Cork (2 nights)
This impressive 5-star hotel consists of a grand 17th century country manor house that sits adjacent to the ruins of an 800-year-old castle. It is steeped in history but the grounds and buildings have been tastefully updated and restored. There is a spa and extensive leisure facilities.
Powerscourt Hotel, Wicklow (3 nights)
Set amidst one of the country’s most scenic and historic estates on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Hotel is a 5-star, 200 room hotel with Palladian-style architecture and luxury amenities. Views from the hotel are towards the Sugarloaf Mountain.
To book your place(s) please complete our online booking form at www.sisley.co.uk/booking-form/ or click the BOOK NOW button below. As soon as we receive your booking form, we will confirm availability on the tour of your choice and arrange collection of your deposit which secures your booking.
BOOK NOWHOW TO PAY
There are three ways to pay for your tour and you will be asked on the booking form which you prefer:
With our travel partner in North America: You can book your tour in USD$ or CAD$ by credit card or check with our partners at DHTour – a London and UK specialist travel agent who can assist with all aspects of your trip. Find out more about DHTour here.
With Sisley Garden Tours: All clients are welcome to book a tour directly with us. We can accept payment in GBP£ by bank transfer or by credit/debit card.
With your own travel agent: We are happy to work with your preferred travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details on the booking form and we will take care of the rest.
TRAVEL INSURANCE AND BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
It is mandatory for all overseas visitors to Ireland to have travel insurance before joining our tours. Full details of our booking terms & conditions can be found at www.sisley.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website for further information www.sisley.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/
We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £6,250 (GBP) | £950 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 8 nights’ accommodation at 5-star hotels with ensuite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 4 dinners.
- Assistance with luggage at the hotels.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- Transfers to and from the hotel and Dublin Airport at the start and end of the tour.
- An information pack with detailed booklet about the gardens we will be visiting.
- Services of your Sisley tour director throughout.
- All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).
PRICES EXCLUDE:
- Airfares.
- Passport and/or visa fees if applicable.
- Meals not included in the tour, drinks, laundry, and telephone calls.
TOUR PAYMENT: A 10% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place(s) on the tour. Your balance payment is due 120 days prior to the tour departure.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION: You can get an idea of the cost of the tour in your local currency by using a currency converter. Conversion rates are based on institutional or inter-bank daily rates. Retail conversion rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.
