It`s been a long time since I’ve visited the fabulous Altamont Gardens. And finally, I visited it in Summer, in June.
It`s one of the best and must-visit places in County Carlow.
These gardens are so peaceful and delightful and offer amazing walks around a lake and through a forest area. It`s so green and beautiful here in June. I enjoyed very much the walk through the “wild part” of Altamont Gardens.
Altamont Gardens sits on the banks of River Slaney which includes an ice age glen, bog garden, and arboretum, with a view of the Blackstairs Mountains, Wicklow Mountains, and Mount Leinster. Some of the oaks are believed to be over 500 years old, and the varying environments provide habitats for diverse sets of wildlife. The garden is home to a variety of rare azaleas, rhododendrons, and magnolias, as well as wild bluebells and snowdrops. The gardens also feature a Wellingtonia, the Sequoiadendron giganteum or Giant Redwood, which was planted to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo.
Altamont Gardens are gardens considered to be one of the most beautiful and romantic gardens in Ireland.
They rank among the top 10 Irish gardens, and although still little known, they are often referred to as the “Jewel in Ireland’s Gardening Crown”.
The present gardens are largely the work of plant collector Fielding Lecky Watson, who bought the property in 1924, and his daughter Corona North. Corona North was the long-time owner and caretaker of the gardens and the adjacent areas. Her passion was long journeys in search of plants for the garden, unique in Ireland. Carlow County Council took over the Altamont Gardens in 1999.
Altamont House is slowly being restored, I hope it will open someday.
I would highly recommend going here if you are in the area.
Location of Altamont Gardens:
Below are photos I took in June 2021.
