Some of the Best Gardens in Wicklow

County Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland, is full of mountainous wonders, spectacular valleys and fascinating ruins from ancient times. Wicklow is a true paradise for walkers, cyclists and nature explorers of all levels.

County Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.

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County Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.

1. Powerscourt Waterfall, House, Gardens and Avoca

2. Avoca Mount Usher Gardens

3. Killruddery House and Gardens

The Wicklow Mountains National Park is situated just south of Dublin. With an area of 20,483 hectares, it is the largest of Ireland’s six national parks and the only one located in the east of the country.

The route through County Wicklow is full of beautiful gardens, and in this post we will mention some that are a must.

1. Powerscourt Waterfall, House, Gardens and Avoca

Powerscourt is one of the most beautiful properties in Ireland. Located in the mountains of County Wicklow, it was originally an important strategic location for the Anglo-Normans who came to Ireland in the late 12th century.

Where the Powerscourt house and gardens are located today, there was once a 13th century medieval castle owned by the Le Poer family, from which “Powerscourt” takes its name. Powerful Irish families, including the O’Tooles and the Fitzgeralds, fought for possession of the castle and its lands over the following centuries.

The highlights of this property are the Waterfall and the Powerscourt House and Gardens.

For golf lovers, we can tell you that the Powerscourt Golf Club is one of the most impressive in Ireland. But more about that in another post dedicated to Golf in Ireland

The waterfall

The Powerscourt Waterfall is 6 km from the house and the PowerScourt Gardens. There is a debate over which is the highest waterfall in the country: Powerscourt or Devil’s Chimney in Sligo County. At PowerScourt you will find no less than 121 metres high from this impressive waterfall in the vicinity of the Wicklow Mountains.

As you walk from the gateway to the Waterfall you will be surrounded by beech, oak and pine trees, some of which were planted over 200 years ago. Be aware of the giant redwoods, which are native to Northern California, which can grow up to 80m high and live for 4,000 years, so they are still young.

Prices
The cost of the ticket to visit Powerscourt waterfall may vary according to seasonality.

Adults: €6.50
Students and seniors: €5.50
Families: €16
Children from 5 to 13 years old: €3.50

Powerscourt Gardens, House and AVOCA

Powerscourt Gardens stretches over 47 hectares, overlooking the Sugarloaf Mountain and offers a sublime blend of formal gardens, spacious terraces, ornamental statues and lakes, secret recesses and walks. Here is a location map.

Experience 300 years of garden design and development, among other features and attractions:

The walled gardens
The Italian Garden
The dolphin pond
The Japanese gardens
The pet cemetery
The tower valley, The Pepperpot Tower

The Palladian Mansion in Powerscourt is home to the best of Irish design and has craft and interior shops and an audio-visual display that brings the rich history of the estate to life.

AVOCA is another of the attractions of Powerscourt Garden. At the AVOCA Terrace Café you can enjoy the best homemade Irish cuisine and do some shopping at the Avoca shop, full of character with original castle walls dating from the 12th century.

AVOCA is an Irish family business, one of the oldest manufacturers in the world, home to some of the country’s most loved cafes and retail stores. It has stores all over Ireland, as well as charismatic cafes and dining rooms and has been ranked as one of the most inspiring stores in the world by Retail Week magazine.

Price
The cost of entry is as follows, although it may vary according to seasonality.

Adults: €11.5
Students and Seniors: €9
Children from 3 to 16 years: €5
Families: €26

2. Avoca Mount Usher Gardens

Twice named Best Garden to Visit in Ireland by BBC Gardener’s World Magazine, Mount Usher Gardens enchants and intrigues alike. Mount Usher was founded around 1860 by William Robinson. Inspired by Shakespeare in The Winter’s Tale (“art itself is nature”), Robinson created a casual garden experience using a mix of native and tropical plants. The result? A spectacular garden and also something wild. Like the Powerscourt Gardens, you can also enjoy the Avoca Garden Café after enjoying the lovely gardens.

Price
The cost of entry is as follows, although it may vary according to seasonality.

Adults €8
Students and Seniors: €7
Children (4-16 years): €4

3. Killruddery House and Gardens

Killruddery House is the most successful Elizabethan Renaissance mansion in Ireland and the most fashionable of its time and has been home to the Brabazon family (the Earls of Meath) since 1618.
The 17th century gardens survive in their original formal design with some 18th and 19th century additions. The long ponds, the angles and the Sylvan Theatre are characteristic of this magnificent landscape.

Killruddery is a sustainable and biodiverse farm with a 320 hectare property.

There is much to see and explore. Nature has never been more relaxing with quiet walks in one of Ireland’s most famous gardens, full of beautiful planting areas and forests, natural landscapes and wilderness.

There is also the tea room which stocks the produce grown by Killruddery in his walled garden and the farm shop which is open from 9am to 6pm and is located in the protected area of Horse Yard.