Make the most of the summer with stays where you can tiptoe through untouched wildflower meadows, pause under leafy canopies and marvel at formal gardens centuries in the making.
Mount Congreve Gardens, Co Waterford
Unfurl your senses in this world-renowned idyll comprising seventy acres of lush woodland, a glasshouse built in 1840, four acres of walled gardens and 16 kilometres of walkways, planted on a slight incline overlooking the River Suir. Springtime makes the most of the nodding delights of the Herman Dool Magnolia Walk, featuring hundreds of magnolias that are Mount Congreve selections raised from seed in the sixties. Keep an eye out for the many forms of tree fern such as cyathea dealbata, the silver shield fern, with beautiful silvery undersides and cyathea medullaris with black hairy stems and enormous fronds, while enchanting bluebells dot the forest floor.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Hosting up to 28 guests at a time you can choose from a unique collection of original lodges, luxury off-grid bell tents and notably, their new spruce shingle-clad cabins, care of the design specialists at Iglucraft. These Estonian cabin-makers are top of the line and count Matthew McConaughey, David Beckham and Guy Ritchie among their celebrity clients. The interiors do not disappoint, think fairytale white-panelled bed nooks and arched panorama windows framing the ever-changing scenes of this unspoiled oasis.
SPEND THE DAY
Neighbouring Waterford city has a lot to offer visitors. A mosey around the architectural landmark, the Medieval Museum or pursuing local crafts at House of Waterford is sure to tingle inspiration, or head further afield to Lismore to J. Hill Standard’s new studio. But if it’s coastal delights you crave, head to Tramore for unrivalled bread and pastries at Seagull Bakery, or the fine catches on offer at Beach House, Tramore.
DON’T MISS
The on-site store by one of our favourite Irish brands, Foxford. In the picturesque setting of the former stable yard, you’ll find the latest cashmere, lambswool, and mohair creations along with a curated selection of Irish craft.
DETAILS
Rental of the cabin for one night, two people sharing, starts from €245. Bell tents, two people sharing, starts from €245. Whole gate lodges, four people sharing, starts from €379. One bed gate lodges start from €279.
Ballymaloe House Hotel, Co Cork
Your hosts have you well catered for when it comes to exploring the 300 acres of the Ballymaloe estate. Illustrated maps and pairs of wellingtons are available at the reception should you need and knowing April showers, you may do. Check the website to coordinate your stay with one of the weekly guided tours with head gardener, Mags Coughlan. Taking place during the growing season, her green-fingered expertise will send you on your own path to gardening glory in no time. Or if biodiversity is more your cup of tea, take a turn around the grounds with head groundskeeper Tobias Pedersen, an expert in sustainable land management, looking after different ecosystems and sensitive initiatives such as wilding plantations, pollinator planting, owl breeding boxes, and beehives.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The 30 bedrooms and two suites are a study in perfect cottagecore aesthetic with striped wall paper, layered floral fabrics and masterfully paired bedding. The self-catering offering is equally charming, found among the fruit trees and climbing roses with exposed beams and rough stone detailing.
SPEND THE DAY
An area known for its craft and cuisine, you simply have to include a visit to local potteries Shanagarry Potters and Ardmore Pottery & Gallery. Cush Restaurant, just a ten-minute drive, offers a spring early bird from 5pm-7pm including confit duck leg, turnip, braised baby gem lettuce and blood orange. A steal at €29.50 for two courses or €34.50 for three.
DON’T MISS
The resident cookery school, famed the world over, has a horticultural theme to its springtime course-list. Garden-lovers are in luck with “Introduction to Organic Produce” with author Klaus Laitenberger, “Growing Your Own Cut Flowers Seasonally and Sustainably” with horticulturist Fionnuala Fallon, and in-house courses on orchard planting and herbalism. Their impeccable on-site gift shop has even got some pieces perfect for those who care for nature, including a surprisingly chic compost pail.
DETAILS
Cosy double rooms start from €285 per night, while spring deals include a two night stay with five-course meal from €405 per night, or wine tasting weekends from €595 per night.
Marlfield House, Co Wexford
On warm spring afternoons, the balmy air around this beautiful regency house set on 36 acres of gardens is perfumed by rose blooms. Beds of typhoon, Lily Marlene and blue moon roses to admire in shades of coral, lilac and scarlet. Tennis enthusiasts will be rewarded with vistas over the estate at the highest point on the grounds and a lawn backed by cherry trees, pines, beech, oak and a very rare flowering ash. Post-match, head straight to The Duck Terrace Restaurant to make good use of the extensive kitchen garden of herbs, vegetables and fruits, including one of Ireland’s best seasonal delicacies, Wexford strawberries.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Choose between 18 elegant bedrooms of the main house, an impeccably renovated cottage known as The Lodge or a set of modern Pond Suites. All have their advantages, our favourite by a hairline being The Peacock Suite, an homage to the resident bird known as George. No trip for nature-lovers is complete without dinner at Conservatory Restaurant. In the Turner style, it overlooks the garden with frescoed walls and sparkling silver. Enjoy a five-course dinner, and if you are lucky, they will have a fresh delivery of Kilmore Quay crab, a specialty.
SPEND THE DAY
Nearby, Enniscorthy houses some standout shops including The Wilds, where you are sure to pick up some lust-worthy interior pieces and Dusty Boy a coffee-shop come gallery with original prints on display. A tipple in the faux-Tudor clad Antique Tavern is sure to bring a few yarns with Colm Tóibín among its admirers.
DON’T MISS
Go on an adventure to the middle of the lake – an island, reached by a wooden bridge, has beautiful hydrangeas, magnolias, and a handkerchief tree.
DETAILS
Bed, breakfast and dinner from €169 including The Duck restaurant, or €218 including the Conservatory restaurant.
Ballynahinch Castle, Co Galway
Head gardener, Cian Cunniffe and his team have been restoring the gardens back to their former glory, including the full reconstruction of the original stone walls with the help of local stonemasons. These stone walls mean that there can be a wide variety of fruits, herbs and vegetables grown on site throughout the year, to be used in The Owenmore Restaurant, The Fisherman’s Pub and Ranji Room. Along with espalier-grown apple and pear trees, there is a wealth of vegetables and fruits grown for the kitchens of Ballynahinch, including some more specialist spoils such as chicory, sweetcorn, mulberries and gooseberries. A dizzy display of lavender, catmint, dahlias, lilies and astilbes can be found, but best of all the estate is watched over by ancient maples, lime trees and weeping willows, arguably the most breathtaking view. Discover pathways that wind into woodland and riversides that encircle the vast castle.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Bryan O’Sullivan design studio has created rooms that are elegant yet full of personality, think cloverleaf patterned wallpapers and lemon and pistachio accents.
SPEND THE DAY
Take home a piece of Connemara at Joyces Craftshop or head to Clifden for a look around Provenance Interiors for perfect upholstery. Seafood focused pub grub is at its best in this section of Galway, so head straight for Mitchell’s in Clifden or O’Dowd’s of Roundstone.
DON’T MISS
Many rooms here are themselves works of art, take the boot room’s old-world charm for a small example. But their art collection is well worth a tour, including works by Louis le Brocquy and Sean Scully.
DETAILS
Enjoy an overnight stay with the choice of dinner in The Owenmore Restaurant or The Fisherman’s Pub and a one hour woodland sauna experience with optional lake plunge, from €267 per person.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of IMAGE.
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