Ballymote gardens included in ‘Secret Gardens of Sligo’ event

Two Ballymote gardens have been included in the ‘Secret Gardens of Sligo’ brochure, with open days taking place across June, July and August.

Newpark Ballymote, by Rosemary & Anthony Kitchin is set in unspoilt countryside, the mature gardens at Newpark consist of deciduous trees, shrubs and a small herbaceous border.

A large vegetable garden, recently extended, is situated in the old walled garden.

Visitors can also enjoy a walk around the lake which is home to waterfowl and other birds.

Open: 2pm-4.30pm on 7 July, 19 August.

On N4 Sligo-Boyle, turn R onto L1502 (Ballymote).

After 1km take R fork, New- park is first gate on R.

Also included is 6 O’Connell Street Ballymote by John Coleman.

Created in 2011, this bijou secret garden lies hidden behind a town house in Ballymote’s main street.

A garden in miniature inspired by the work of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, with dry stone walls, beech and box hedging and gravel and hard surfaces for easy maintenance.

Soft planting consists of shrubs, clematis, roses, lavender and herbaceous perennials.

Open: 2.30pm – 5pm 15 and 22 July.

On Ballymote’s main street, opposite JB Bookmakers.

Door with diamond glass panel, between Church of Ireland and roads for Boyle/Gurteen/etc.

This is ‘Secret Gardens of Sligo’s fifth season. Over the last four years, the group have raised a wonderful €17, 300 for the various charities chosen by the garden owners.

This year, there are 12 gardens in total, some of the original founder members of SGS and others, newly joined this summer.

Each one is a completely different experience – the owner’s personal journey through horticulture and design, different plants and palettes, and how to make the best use of the site, soil and situation that chance has given them.