CARLOW GARDEN TRAIL

Altamont Gardens

Address:
Tullow
Co. Carlow

Contact: Pauline Dowling/Paul Cutler

Tel: + 353 (0) 59 9159444
Fax: + 353 (0) 59 9159510
E-Mail: altamontgardens@opw.ie
Web: www.heritageireland.ie

FACILITIES:

Toilets, outdoor picnic tables, large car and coach park, restricted access for wheelchairs.

HOW TO FIND US:

Travelling from Carlow Town the gardens are 22 km from the town, signposted on the main N80 Carlow - Wexford road, 3km from the village of Ballon. If you are travelling from Tullow follow signs for the Bunclody/Wexford road (N81). Altamont Gardens is 3km from its junction with the Wexford road (N80).

ADMISSION CHARGES:

Free admission. Guided tour for groups (pre-booking required) €2.00.

Altamont Gardens - central path

Altamont Gardens - Lake

Widely respected as the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown, Altamont Gardens are an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens with riverside walks covering over 40 acres. The estate gains much of its character from the many mature trees, both natives in the avenues and woodland areas, and exotic specimens throughout the gardens including Cedrus deodora, Taxodium, Quercus rubra Aurea and Sequoidendron giganteum. Lawns bisected by sculpted yews slope down to a lake surrounded by rare trees and rhododendrons and lead in turn to a very different garden featuring exotic shrubs and trees. A fascinating walk through the Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks and huge stone outcrops leads the visitor to the River Slaney.

The original Victorian layout was enhanced by Fielding Leckey Watson and his daughter Corona North, following his purchase of Altamont in 1924. Corona travelled extensively in her search for plants, which continue to flourish throughout the gardens, including Cornus kousa chinensis and Liriodendron tulipifera. When Corona North, who lovingly cared for the gardens for over 50 years died in 1999, the gardens were left to the State at her request. Ongoing restoration and maintenance continues under the careful stewardship of the Office of Public Works.

Altamont is a great experience at any time of year starting in spring with the wonderful snowdrop collection, one of the largest in Ireland and moving on to daffodils and other spring bulbs such as frittalaris and grape hychanth. Rhododendrons, azaleas and later on the rose collection is in full bloom in mid-summer, followed by contrasting autumnal colours and the beautiful silhouettes of the mighty trees in mid-winter.

The Nuns Walk (left)

See Map of Area