Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens

If, llke us, you need serious confirmation that Spring has actually sprung despite the subzero temperatures, wind and solid precipitation, leg it to Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens just off the N11 between Wicklow Town and Rathdrum at the first gap in the clouds. it’s both unfit-friendly and child-friendly and full of stunning specimen plants and flowering trees, either in their pre-popping or just-popped state. It’s very much a work in progress so don’t go expecting manicured lawns- it’s more rough and ready than that. Nonetheless, how on earth we hadn’t heard of it before last weekend eludes us. At last another stop to put on the outing list. Thank you, OPW.

For more garden and gardening tips, check out?Garden Heaven, IMAGE Publications’ sumptuous title, relaunching in May. We’ll be posting info about a series of free reader events with Editor Dermot O’Neill and experts.?

For more information on Kilmacurragh, please visit their website.