Kilmacurragh Gardens and Arboreteum

Early Monastic Settlement
The first evidence of buildings at Kilmacurragh formed part of a monastic community founded by Saint Mochorog, a Breton of royal birth, who established a hermitage here in the early 7th century (his feast day is December 23rd).

This abbey survived to the early 16th century, The monastery orchard (on the site of the present walled garden) was still extant in 1708 and appears on an estate map dating from that time.

The foundations of the old abbey still exist and lie beneath the present Chinese garden east of the Pond Vista.

 

Planted – Late 17th early 18th Century
The Actons had by this time arrived. They had the old abbey buildings torn down in 1697 and from the stone salvaged, built a fine, perfectly proportioned Queen Anne house to the design of the noted architect, Sir William Robinson (1643-1712), whose best-known work is the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

The Actons also began planting including a two-mile long beech avenue and thousands of foreign plants,trees and shrubs.

The Yew walk or the Monks Walk was planted at this time along an old road that served in earlier times as a pilgrims route from the abbey at Kilmacurragh to nearby Glendalough.

Association with Botanic Gardens
Later during the 19th Century the gardens were further expanded with the advice of the Director of the Botanic Gardens in Dublin, David Moore and his son Sir Frederick Moore.

This was during a period of great botanical and geographical explorations with numerous plant species from around the world being introduced to Ireland for the first time and Kilmacuragh benefitted greatly

Very Brief Description
The different soil and climatic conditions at Kilmacurragh resulted in many of these specimens succeeding there while struggling or failing at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. Kilmacurragh is particularly famous for its conifers and rhododendron collections.

Interesting varieties and specimen species such as Himalayan magnolias, Chilean fire bush and willow-leaved podocarp abound.

Specific garden areas have been devoted to the floras of various regions of the world, for example, temperate South America, the Himalaya, China and perhaps most importantly, to our own Irish flora.

 

Future Plans
The arboretum is now being replanted by the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

New important projects include the ecological restoration of native woodland and grassland ecosystems and the establishment of a genetic collection of native tree species.

Staff at Kilmacurragh have already began gathering a genetic oak collection for Kilmacurraghs woodlands by the main estate gates and for the proposed David Moore Reserve to the east of the main arboretum. A Tea rooom for visitors is also planned.

For more details about visting times etc Visit their Website

Facilities: Mostly Wheelchair Accessible, Toilets, Child Friendly, Pet Friendly (dogs on leads), Guided Tours, Coach Parking. Coming Soon: Tea Rooms.