Katie Kosta revisiting her early 1990s dorm room at Trinity College
Guinness
Intimate Irish Gardens
June 6 - 16, 2027
Huron Tours & Travel’s long awaited return to Ireland is finally here! We’ve packed more private gardens into this itinerary than any other in our history making for an intimate garden travel experience you won’t want to miss. We’ve included some of the most legendary names in Irish gardening which will offer insight into the historical and cultural significance of gardening in Ireland.
In our usual Huron style we’ve included many special events and wonderful dining experiences in addition to the gorgeous gardens.
This small Group tour will be accompanied by our exceptional guide Josephine as well as two full time Huron tours tour managers to make sure every second of this luxury tour runs smoothly.
Please review the details below and consider joining us on this memorable garden adventure. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions - the people you speak with on the phone will be on the tour with you.
Happy Garden Travels! - Katie and John Kosta
Sunday, June 6
Dublin Airport arrival, private transfer to Conrad Dublin Hotel, welcome dinner reception
Arrive at Dublin Airport (DUB) and meet your private driver for your transfer to the perfectly located 5-Star Conrad Dublin hotel.
The Conrad is quiet enough to be comfortable, and just steps from two of Dublin’s most beautiful parks - but an easy walk to the best shopping, cultural sites and restaurants.
The rooms are spacious, with comfy beds, nightly turndown service, and luxurious bathrooms. You' ll surely love the hotel's buzzing mezzanine Champagne bar and brasserie. With Dublin right at your doorstep, you'll want to waste no time setting out to explore. Our marvelous local guide Josephine O’Keeffe will have plenty of suggestions on how to start your Ireland adventure as she welcomes you to the hotel.
This evening, we’ll celebrate our arrival with a lovely welcome dinner reception in the hotel's dining room.
(Meals on flight, welcome dinner included.)
Monday, June 7
Breafast at the hotel, Patthana Garden tour and lunch, tour of The National Botanic Garden of Ireland at Kilmacurragh
After enjoying the extensive breakfast buffet at the hotel, we’ll visit the first garden on our itinerary - and it is a special one. Patthana Garden in Kiltegan Village is the enchanting creation of artist and author TJ Maher. This celebrated garden is laid out in just over an acre, but don’t let the small size fool you. You will be blown away by the vibrancy and joy this magical garden radiates. TJ’s infectious passion, creativity, and warmth will bring the garden to life during our guided tour. We’ll also enjoy a nice lunch together during our time in the garden.
Our next visit proves this is a day of garden contrasts! The National Botanic Garden of Ireland at Kilmacurragh is one of Ireland’s foremost heritage gardens. Spanning over 52 acres, these gardens offer a unique blend of botanical diversity, historical significance, and serene beauty. In the seventh century, there was a monastery in this tranquil corner of County Wicklow, and a religious foundation remained right up until Cromwell invaded the land. The estate then passed to the Acton family in 1854 and was followed by an unprecedented period of botanical and geographical exploration. In collaboration with the curators of the National Botanic Gardens, Acton built the new and pioneering garden you will tour today.
Once back in Dublin, you are on your own for dinner, so be sure to consult our extensive restaurant recommendations list. You’ll even find a few favorites dating back to Katie’s days at Trinity College!
Breakfast at the hotel, lunch included
Tuesday, June 8
National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Private visit to Ardan garden
Poppies and Dancing Hares at Ardan
Our morning begins with a visit and private tour to the amazing National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in Dublin just outside of Dublin’s city center. The garden is famed for its fine plant collections which hold more than 15,000 plant species and cultivars from a variety of habitats from around the world. The jewel in the gardens’ crown is a set of exquisitely restored and planted historic glasshouses. Other features include impressive herbaceous borders, a lovely rose garden, alpine yard, pond area, rock garden and arboretum.
After lunch at your leisure, we’ll visit the private Ardan Garden on the coastal hillside of beautiful Howth.
Ardan is a dynamic contemporary and ever-evolving garden which includes an eclectic botanical collection, artistically arranged. The passion and skill of owners Nuala and Conall are evident in the variety of planting areas including large densely planted herbaceous areas, a white garden, an exotic garden with a pond and bog garden, a vegetable garden, a small woodland and a natural rocky outcrop. Of significant importance, Ardan is gardened organically and is a member of the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere.
We’ll return to our hotel this evening and Dinner is on your own, so be sure to consult our restaurant recommendations list included with your final tour documents.
(Breakfast included)
Ardan Garden
Arden is a direct result of personal artistry, planning, design and expression, and lots of hard work. You can't help but be inspired. Following Huron's 2022 visit to Ardan garden they posted on Instagram:
"If you wonder about opening your garden, go for it. Visitors are so encouraging and appreciative of your work, and it is always a positive experience. We learn so much from visitors, gain such great encouragement and build a network of gardeners."
The feeling is mutual!
Take some time to relax and appreciate Ardan Garden, and Ireland
Wednesday, June 9
County Wicklow, June Blake’s private garden, Jimi Blake's Hunting Brook, Powerscourt
Huron's Katie looking like a garden fashion model at Powerscourt in 2022 (and Katie insisted I mention she did not write this caption)
Wicklow day! Lovingly known as “the garden of Ireland” County Wicklow is located on the country’s east coast. Wicklow is one of its most beautiful areas in all of Ireland with rolling mountains, pristine beaches and numerous garden jewels.
We begin our visits at June Blake’s private garden. Ms. Blake is a passionate plantswoman who has devoted her time to creating an exciting, experimental and contemporary garden. It is set in the heart of West Wicklow in the grounds of an early Victorian steward’s house surrounded by mature trees and meadows. The gardens cover approximately three acres and contain an eclectic collection of plants from around the world. Areas of bold herbaceous planting mix with a shade garden of ferns, grasses, bamboos and other choice woodland plants, punctuated by enormous granite boulders.
Across from the Blake’s family farm is a wonderful private garden, Hunting Brook, run by June’s brother Jimi Blake. Jimi will host us for our visit and provide insights into the garden.
Jimi has spent 25 years collecting the most interesting plants he could get his hands on. At Hunting Brook these come together in a unique fusion of funky foliage, perennial, and woodland styles to make a flamboyant, surprising, experimental garden overflowing with ideas for enthusiastic gardeners. The borders here are some of the best you’ll ever see.
We’ll follow these private garden visits with an afternoon drive across the beautiful Wicklow mountains. We’ll continue into Ashford to visit breathtaking Powerscourt, one of the world’s greatest gardens. With the Sugarloaf Mountains as its backdrop, Powerscourt offers a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary, ornamental lakes with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs.
Upon return from Wicklow, the rest of the evening is free.
(Breakfast)
Thursday, June 10
Dublin free day, private dinner at Stephen's Green Club
A full day at leisure in Dublin. There are many easy world-class visits to add to your experience of Dublin. A visit to Trinity College and the book of Kells (Ireland's greatest cultural treasure) is very popular. Teeling Whiskey (Dublin's first new distillery in 125 years) has a fun and interesting tour and tasting, and Guinness has an "experience" that ends with a pint in their sky-bar with unrivaled views of Dublin. The Irish Emigration Museum can help you research your family roots, or a visit Kilmainham Gaol Museum, a fascinating former jail, offers a unique look into Ireland's turbulent history. And of course you can spend many hours perusing the independent shops surrounding Grafton Street. Huron will include a list of additional ideas in your final tour documents.
Tonight we’ll toast our time in Dublin and our continuing garden adventures with a memorable evening at one of Dublin’s most prestigious private members' clubs where John and Katie Kosta are reciprocal members. Established in 1840 by prominent political reformer Daniel O'Connell, the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club is located in one of the most architecturally and artistically significant buildings on Saint Stephen's Green dating to 1756. Dinner this evening will be a grand affair!
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Friday, June 11
Transfer to Cork, Kilkenny Castle, dinner
Kilkenny Castle, built 1195
We leave Dublin today and enjoy a morning drive south to Kilkenny en-route to Cork for our continuing garden explorations.
Kilkenny Castle has been named by Architectural Digest as one of the 10 most beautiful castles in the world. The stone castle, which overlooks the River Nore, was built in 1195 by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and is home to an impressive collection of art and artifacts.
After our self-guided visit to the castle you will have free time for lunch and to explore the charming city of Kilkenny, a medieval town with many well-preserved churches and monasteries as well as several unique Irish craft markets.
Our final stop today is our home in Cork for the next 4 nights, the River Lee Hotel. An oasis of tranquility in Cork’s historical city center, The River Lee is the top luxury hotel in Cork. Leisure facilities include a 20-meter pool, sauna, whirlpool tub, and extensive and well-equipped gym. The River Club Bar, Terrace, and The Grill room offer glamorous décor and a relaxed atmosphere. With its central location, the historic St Finbarr’s Cathedral, pleasant Mardyke river walk, the Cork Public Museum, and award-winning Lewis Glucksman Gallery are all within strolling distance of the property.
We’ll enjoy a multi-course welcome dinner together this evening in the hotel’s private dining room with river views.
(Breakfast, Dinner included)
Saturday, June 12
Morning at leisure, Ballymaloe visit, Coosheen Gardens
Enjoy a slow morningn in Cork before our visit to Ballymaloe House for a informative look at this charming, multifasceted property in a lovely setting.
The Georgian house at Ballymaloe is built onto a Norman castle keep and looks out over farmland and gardens, with the East Cork countryside stretching out beyond. Long renowned for its food, the estate also houses a well known cookery school and garden.
We’ll tour the estate’s kitchen and herb garden. Deep beech hedges dating back to 1870 form the long boundaries of the herb garden and divide the main garden into three distinct sections. Here you will find over 70 different herbs including lemon balm, bronze fennel, purple sage, lovage, summer savoury, sweet cicely, parsley, garlic, chives and angelica, all planted in sculpted beds. Beautiful and interesting.
After our visit to Ballymaloe, we'll enjoy a nice lunch together in a wonderful local restaurant, a recommendation from a dear friend.
Decorative urn at Cosheen Garden
Our private garden discoveries continue next at Coosheen Gardens in Glounthaune. Hester Forde has an insatiable appetite for plants which makes this a must see for the serious plant enthusiast. Situated on the estuary of Cork harbor ‘Coosheen’ houses a unique collection of plants which provide year round interest. This small garden is creatively landscaped with raised beds and troughs of rare and unusual smaller perennials, alpines, and bulbs. How lucky are we?!
When we return to Cork the evening is yours to relax or explore as you wish.
(Breakfast and lunch included)
The Irish Hare
The Irish Hare (arguably the oldest surviving Irish mammal)
In Celtic mythology and folklore the hare has links to the mysterious Otherworld of the supernatural. The Irish hare is native to Ireland and carbon dating of fossils show they were present in Ireland as far back as 28,000BC. In Irish folklore the hare is also often associated with the Otherworld (Aos Si) community whose world was reached through mists, hills, lakes, ponds, wetland areas, caves, ancient burial sites, cairns and mounds.
We passed many an Irish Hare on the other side of the hedgerow as we navigated Ireland. We even encountered a few in gardens, much to the displeasure of the gardeners.
Sunday, June 13
Garinish Island, Bantry House and Garden with Lunch
This morning after breakfast we’ll embark upon a local sailing vessel to highly regarded Garinish Island.
Located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, Garinish is a small island known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all around the world as an island garden of rare beauty.
The tranquility of Garinish Island
The gardens owe their existence to the creative partnership, some eighty years ago, of Annan and Violet Bryce, then owners of the island, and Harold Peto, acclaimed architect and garden designer (of famed Iford Gardens in England). The island is renowned for its richness of plant form and color, which change continuously with the seasons. Bryce House, the family residence on the island for many years, is presented as it would have appeared during their lifetime. A selection from their vast collection of important paintings, prints, drawings, and books can be seen on display inside.
Next we’re off to Bantry House and Garden, the stunning stately home of the Earls of Bantry and their descendants, the White Family. Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way overlooking Bantry Bay in the south west of Ireland, the House has been home to the White family since 1739 and was opened to the public in 1946.
The garden and house as we know it today was designed by Richard White, Second Earl of Bantry, in the middle of the 19th century. Richard travelled extensively and greatly admired the Italian and French gardens he saw and tried to recreate his impressions here in the west of Ireland. He created seven terraces with the house itself is placed on the third. Four more terraces rise at the south side of the house connecting the formality of the house with the wilderness of the woodland.
Bantry House has survived more than 200 years, an attempted invasion by the French (1796), strife and famines, world wars and the Irish civil war.
We’ll have lunch together at the house followed by a guided tour given by a member of the White family. A special invitation just for Huron travelers .
Once back at the hotel in the late afternoon the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.
(Breakfast, lunch included)
Monday, June 14
Free day in Cork, farewell dinner at Hayfield Manor
Our hotel is in a great location for exploring Cork (photo by flickr user neilhooting)
A completely free day to explore Cork. There are many available day and half-day trips that depart from Cork covering a variety of interests. Perhaps you'd like to book an optional day trip to visit Blarney Castle and Gardens, or wander through Cork on a culinary tour. Let us know your interests and we can help you find an activity!
Or, you may want to take this time to explore the wonderful city of Cork on your own. Cork has a fabulous "English Market" (established in 1788), a wonderful art gallery (Crawford Municipal Art Gallery), and John's favorite brewery (Franciscan Well Brewery) just to name a few interesting visits. Our guide, Josephine, can help you plan your day.
This evening, we’ll dine together in elegant surroundings at Hayfield Manor House, set high on a hill above Cork and set within two-acres of beautiful gardens. Our private dining room overlooks the Manor’s walled garden, inspired by Muckross House in Killarney.
(Breakfast and dinner included.)
Tuesday, June 15
Depart Cork, Burtown House and Gardens, Lunch, farewell drinks reception
Huron at Burtown House in 2023
Our garden tour is coming to an end but we have one more visit in store today.
After breakfast, we’ll depart Cork for the drive back to Dublin. En-route to Dublin we’ll visit Burtown House and Gardens in Athy, for a guided tour of the gardens and a delightful lunch in the Green Barn. This early Georgian villa was built in 1710 by the Quaker Robert Power and is surrounded by flower gardens, vegetable patches, parklands, woodland walks and a series of secret gardens. An ideal place for our group to wander as we enjoy one last garden on this fabulous itinerary.
This evening we’ll check in to the 4-Star Clayton Dublin Airport Hotel ideally located just a short drive from Dublin International Airport. The property’s stylish surroundings and well-appointed bedrooms make for a restful and enjoyable final night in Dublin. This evening we’ll toast our travels together with a farewell reception and buffet dinner.
(Breakfast, lunch, reception included)
Wednesday, June 16
Departures to home
All good things must come to end and we hope you depart today dreaming of your next Huron tour!
(Breakfast included today.)
A $1,000 per person deposit will hold your space. Please use the link above or below to access our online shopping cart. If you'd like to reserve over the phone, we'd be happy to talk to you and can be reached at either (504) 267-2057 or (800) 734-1192.
