The 10 Best Gardens in County Cork, Province of Munster

Open end of May 2021 . A beautiful 3 acre garden with amazing designs and fun for all the family in West Cork, including a Fairy Fort and Fairies Trail. This 3 acre garden is full of surprises with each garden style flowing into the next. The front garden contains a sunken white garden, an Italianate canal and a Japanese garden. The boundary wisteria walk opens out into the bog garden and woodland area, from where you can continue to the tea house to enjoy a view of the Mediterranean and tropical gardens. Wander over the birch mound, which is surrounded by the wildflower meadow, into the walled kitchen garden to view the seasonal vegetables. The kids will have great fun visiting the Fairy Fort built right through the birch mound or searching for the fairy houses in the Fairies woods. View the Budgies, Parakeets, Finches, Ducks and Chickens in the Aviary.

This garden is located in the townland of Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork in the south of Ireland and is dedicated to the memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their live in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. This garden of Remembrance was established by Kathleen Murphy in November 2001. Kathleen grew up in Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork which is located in the south of Ireland. Following her training as a nurse in England she moved to New York where she worked as a staff nurse for 40 years in Lennox Hill Hospital. Kathleen always admired the brave and courageous work of firefighters. Following the 9/11 attacks she decided to establish the garden of remembrance in memory to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th 2001. Kathleen passed away in March 2011 in New York following a battle with cancer and is buried less than 2 miles from the garden.

Bantry House and Garden is a stately home in southwest Ireland situated right on Bantry Bay with panoramic views of the bay and the caha mountains. The estate is owned by Egerton and Brigitte Shelswell-White and is managed by their daughter Sophie and her partner Josh. It has been in the family since the 1700s. The house contains original furniture and objects d'art. The garden is laid out over 7 terraces with a fountain, large wisteria circle and 100 steps leading up to the woodland. The house, garden and tearoom is open to the public daily from easter to october. The estate hosts weddings, music festivals and fairs. We have a separate review page for our B&B accommodation.

An exotic garden with mainly bamboos but also palm trees, tree ferns, beautiful flowers. Lovely picnic area. Wedding pictures welcome. Coffee shop with lovely homemade cakes. Dogs welcome and children free!

The Ewe is a home - open to the public, entirely created & run by a couple. Ireland's only 'Interactive Natural History Museum-on-a-Mountain' is a must see for anyone interested in art, nature or a totally unique experience - the perfect destination for a relaxing, memorable day out. Set along a spectacular waterfall in the natural Eden of Glengarriff, the one-two hour trail offers visitors a chance to step off the treadmill, slow down and rediscover our beautiful but vulnerable natural world. It is a journey like no other. Explore the meandering pathways and hidden corners, where curious creatures gaze back as you pass. Take the Evolution Walk through the Valley of Eden, weave your way over bridges & discover a surprise at every turn. The creative haven of about six acres has been designed in four very different tiers up a mountainside - each with a theme: Water, Time, The Environment & Ancient Earth. Children welcome - please supervise for the safety & peaceful enjoyment of all.

Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens is famous for its magnificent Regency period house, beautiful formal gardens and world renowned arboretum. It is located 12km east of Cork City on the northern shore of Cork Harbour, adjacent to Cobh. Fota House was built by the Smith Barry family and was redesigned by John "The Magnificent" Smith Barry in the 1820’s. Today you can hear Fota's legendary stories for yourself with guided tours led by a team of volunteers whose passion for heritage is contagious!Our guides will show you the grand principle rooms with their exquisite decor. A special feature is our service wing, where you can experience what life was like for the cooks, butlers, footmen and maids who supported the lavish lifestyles of the gentry. Experience the the heavenly rose garden and explore the arboretum where you will discover a host of rare and majestic trees. A key feature of our recent restoration programme is the Victorian Frameyard Garden, now one of the finest in the country. Visitors can also enjoy top class food in the cafe and browse in the gift shop, Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens is a charitable organisation and is managed by the Irish Heritage Trust. Our high season is from April to September, when the house is open for public tours. A guided tour of the house is €8 per person.