National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh

 park, arboretum, botanical garden

A large Arboretum featuring a wide variety of trees and shrubs. Currently undergoing some restructuring to create South American and Himalayan sections. It also features a wide variety of Rhododendrons, which add some colour (mainly pink). Best from April onwards. The Arboretum is administered by the Glasnevin Botanical Gardens.

There are daily guided tours of the Arboretum.

The estate has an interesting history. Up until 1640, it was apparently a monastery though little remains of this. Following Cromwell's conquest of Ireland, the land was given to an officer of his army (Acton). The house was built in 1690's and was inhabited until the 1940's when it was sold to the Irish state. Following a small fire in 1982, the house has fallen into disrepair and there are currently no plans/money to restore it.

www.botanicgardens.ie/kilmac/kilmhome.htm

Visiting the arboretum is free (05/05/2012)