The mild weather conditions and warm soil in South & East Cork make it one of the best know regions in Ireland for its collection of superb gardens. Fota Arboretum and Gardens (Fota means 'warm soil') is world renowned for its collection of rare specimens. Amongst our collection of Irish gardens in East Cork, the gardens at Ballymaloe have been painstakingly restored to their former glory, and nearby in Carrigtwohill, medieval gardens have been reconstructed at Barryscourt Castle.
Visit our Garden & Heritage Trail for locations of some of the best known Irish gardens in East Cork and North Cork
Hillside Garden
This mature garden won the top Nations Award twice. A large sloping Plantsman’s garden featuring Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Magnolias, Woodland Plants and Grasses. A large rockery and waterfall, scree beds and gravel areas & tropical bed.
Greenbarn Farmers Market, Killeagh Every Friday, in Corks on 4**** Garden Centre
The Old Deanery Gardens
The gardens are set in 16 acres of parkland surrounding a 200 year old Georgian house and feature a restored walled garden, large wildlife lake, woodland walks and a garden railway.
Cedar Lodge Garden An award winning garden set on 2 acres, specialising in rare and unusual plants in mixed borders of shrubs and herbaceous perennials.
Dromboy Gardens
This is an award winning 2-acre garden in a tranquil rural setting. It is a garden of rooms and colour themes and is home to a large collection of shrubs and herbaceous plants set off by immaculate lawns. It also features a Japanese area, a dry river bed, a sunken garden of pastel shades, a large Hosta collection and a Sculpture Trail of stone heads and figures sculpted by Maurice.
Barryscourt Castle
Barryscourt Castle is a fine example of an Irish Tower House. Both the Main Hall and the General Hall have been extensively restored. The Orchard has been restored to an original 16th century design and in the Castle Courtyard the Herb Garden has been reinstated.
Beechwood Garden, Glanmire
This garden has been developed over the past 20 years and features large natural water features, scree beds, interesting use of herbaceous/ grasses in planting scheme and imaginative use of old stone.
Kilroan Garden Large mature garden for all seasons, with a variety of areas naturally flowng into one another.
