TRAVEL with Monty
around the gardens of Ireland
“Visit some of Ireland’s best gardens on this Dublin-based tour. Monty will join us for a day that includes visits to some of his favourite Irish gardens, plus an exclusive talk. You’ll meet great garden makers Helen Dillon and Jimi Blake, and will come away inspired by an unforgettable trip.” Day 1 Tuesday 29 May Travel to Dublin, where our first visit is to Malahide Castle’s Talbot Botanical Gardens –a small jewel created by an enthusiastic plant collector. After lunch (not included) we go to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, where orchids grow in the restored Palm House. Enjoy a welcome drink and talk with your tour manager at your central Dublin hotel. Day 2 Wednesday 30 May Lucy Hall now joins us until Friday. We visit selected private gardens in Dublin, starting at Tyrrelstown House, with its 500-yearold walled gardens. After lunch (not included), we explore the private garden of Carmel Duignan, writer and self-confessed plantaholic! We then visit celebrated Dublin gardener Helen Dillon, to discover her exciting new garden, not normally open to the public, which Monty visited for the Gardeners’ World TV programme. We’ll enjoy a talk and tour by Helen, plus welcome refreshments. Day 3 Thursday 31 May Monty joins us at Hunting Brook, home of Jimi Blake, one of Ireland’s most creative plantsmen. The garden, hidden in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, is famous for its borders –a fusion of prairie and tropical planting in a woodland setting. We will then enjoy lunch (included) before continuing to Jimi’s sister’s garden: June Blake’s Garden and
Nursery, with its unique mix of plants grown from seeds sourced all over the world. We return to our hotel, where Monty will give an entertaining talk about his gardening life, before dining with the group. ✿ Day 4 Friday 1 June We head south to Powerscourt in its magnificent Wicklow Mountain setting. After lunch (included) we call at Airfield Gardens, with a romantic walled garden and woodland. Enjoy some free time in Dublin, before a final group dinner. Day 5 Saturday 2 June Check out and travel homewards.
OPTIONAL EXTRA
Extend your stay to include tickets to Bloom garden show, on Saturday 2 June: price on request.