Saturday, June 12, 2010

Garden Heaven





Castle Durrow is located in the midlands of Ireland and adjoins the quaint village of Durrow, Co. Laois.  Built by Capt. William Flower (later to become Viscount Ashbrook) in 1716 as his family home, its pre Palladian design and formal gardens were the height of fashion in their day - and they're just as lovely today!






Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are just outside the village of Insitioge on the banks of the River Nore in Co. Kilkenny - this garden was once considered one of the great gardens of Ireland and is thankfully undergoing restoration.  The ruins of Woodstock House built in 1745 are still in the garden - it too was destroyed by fire.  High on the hill, this is a beautiful place - the recently restored conservatory is the perfect place for afternoon tea.


The village of Insitioge on the banks of the River Nore in Co. Kilkenny.





Birr Castle, Co. Offaly - parts of this huge, sprawling garden are breathtaking, especially the incredible collection of peonies and the recently restored walled garden.

Images - Brabourne Farm

21 comments:

  1. The splendor of those gardens.....Amazing.
    http://caribbeaneco-living.blogspot.com/

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  2. OMG - I would love to visit these! They are simply spectacular!

    xoxo
    kristi

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  3. Oh, Leigh, I've just been catching up on your gorgeous Ireland posts, and what a treat they are! These gardens are truly stunning. Maybe my favorite thing to do when I travel is to visit historic gardens, so your blog is like taking a mini vacation. I'm feeling so inspired now. Thank you! xoxo Gigi

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  4. Wow, that's impressive! Thanks for sharing.

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  5. wow...thanks for sharing,what an incredible castle!
    Natalie

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  6. Just so happy to see your posts. Really. You take my breath away. sending xoxoxo's
    Marsha

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  7. Wowwwwwwwwwwwww...i really like your blog !!! such a wonderful pictures i enjoy !!!

    Happy weekend hugs from Ria............

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  8. Oh how beautiful, Leigh. You must be having the time of your life. These gardens are stunning. I also love the gazebo's.
    You are seeing such wonderful gardens. XXXX

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  9. Wow, what stunning gardens! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and the weather is treating you well by the look of those blue skies :)

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  10. What a place!
    Love these old castles and though I didn't go to Ireland I spent three months traveling from castle to castle in Scotland when I lived there. And with my 8 years in London I had plenty of time to visit lots of the English ones too.

    The old stone bridge is fantastic! As are those peonies - I LOVE them and have strong memories from childhood and my garden that had a whole flower bed full of them.

    Lovely post.

    x Charlotta

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  11. oh my goodness Leigh - that looks like heaven! thanks for sharing pics from your trip, love them! julesx

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  12. Oh it's like entering another world. Thank you for the wonderful images.
    xoxo

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  13. Just stunning! Each garden was beautiful in it's own special way!

    Kat :)

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  14. Oh how gorgeous! Thanks for showing us all these most wonderful places - my list of places to visit one day is growing longer and longer!!

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  15. I am speachless...absolutely stunning.

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  16. Fantastic Leigh...keep sending photos, I am still taking notes...just beautiful!!

    jeanne:)

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  17. Una belleza de imágenes!

    Hugs from Barcelona-España

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  18. Beautiful gardens! I would love to see them all in person!

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