Events
Calendar of Events
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Sunday |
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1 event, |
1 event, |
1 event, |
2 events, Enjoy a free tour of fabulous tree collection in Altamont Gardens accompanied by one of their knowledgeable local guides. |
1 event, | ||
1 event, |
1 event, |
1 event, |
2 events,Enjoy a free tour of fabulous tree collection in Altamont Gardens accompanied by one of their knowledgeable local guides. |
2 events, Experience the magic of early morning this May at Altamont Gardens with the enchanting Dawn Chorus. |
3 events,
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 Join Hester as she demonstrates how to transform any corner of your garden with beautifully planted containers. | |
2 events, Step into a world of colour this Rhododendron Week at Altamont Gardens, where one of Ireland’s finest collections of rhododendrons bursts into bloom. |
3 events,Enjoy a free tour of fabulous tree collection in Altamont Gardens accompanied by one of their knowledgeable local guides. |
3 events, Set within a stunning 16-hectare estate along the banks of the River Slaney, Altamont is renowned for its unique blend of formal gardens and wild landscapes, providing a haven for a remarkable variety of plant and animal life. | ||||
3 events,Enjoy a free tour of fabulous tree collection in Altamont Gardens accompanied by one of their knowledgeable local guides. | ||||||
1 event, |
1 event, |
1 event, |
3 events,Enjoy a free tour of fabulous tree collection in Altamont Gardens accompanied by one of their knowledgeable local guides.
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 The Power of Creativity @Altamont Plants & Walled Garden with Rachel Pilkington |
1 event, |
3 events, Come and enjoy the most recent range of figurative sculptures by one of the owners of Kilgraney House, Martin Marley. |
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Weekend Talk Pass – Save €10
Make the most of the opening weekend of the Carlow Garden Festival with this great-value pass, giving you access to four inspiring talks for just €70 (usually €80).
Enjoy a rich mix of ideas, creativity and expert insight with:
- Fiann Ó Nualláin in Leighlinbridge – The Garden Village
- Keeping It Country – The James & Joe Garden Show at Arboretum
- Lessons from Nature with Colm O’Driscoll
- Painting with Plants by Chris Beardshaw
Perfect for both new and experienced gardeners, this is your chance to enjoy a weekend of inspiration. Make a break for it and enjoy a true garden getaway by booking into one of Carlow’s excellent hotels offering special accommodation breaks for the festival.
- 25 Jul 2026
Fiann Ó Nualláin – Plants, Place and Wellbeing along the River Barrow
2:00 pm
Join us for a delightful walk and talk along the picturesque Barrow Way in Leighlinbridge as part of the Carlow Garden Festival. Led by Fiann Ó Nualláin, this leisurely stroll encourages take a close up look to explore the wealth of herbs, plants and natural ingredients along the serene banks of the River Barrow.
- 25 Jul 2026
Keeping It Country – The James and Joe Garden Show at Arboretum
7:30 pm
– 9:30 pm
Join two of the most engaging voices in UK horticulture, Joe Swift and James Alexander-Sinclair, for a lively and insightful conversation on garden design and creativity.
- 26 Jul 2026
Lessons from Nature with Colm O’Driscoll
11:00 am
Set within the naturally rich and sustainably managed space of An Gairdín Beo in the centre of Carlow Town, this talk by Colm O’Driscoll invites gardeners to rethink how they…
- 26 Jul 2026
Painting with Plants by Chris Beardshaw
3:00 pm
– 5:00 pm
In this inspiring and richly illustrated talk, award-winning garden designer Chris Beardshaw explores the evolution of the English garden style, with a particular focus on the iconic herbaceous border. Tracing its development from early formal planting schemes to the more naturalistic and expressive designs of today, Chris highlights the influential figures who shaped this essentially British approach to gardening. He reveals the principles behind plant selection, colour harmony, structure and seasonal interest, offering practical insights into how great borders are composed.
- 27 Jul 2026
Border Planting with Jimi Blake
3:00 pm
Throughout the talk, Jimi draws on his extensive experience to highlight ideas that can be adapted to gardens of all sizes — from selecting plants that perform well together to creating seasonal impact and maintaining a sense of balance within a border. His relaxed and engaging style, combined with his deep knowledge of plants, makes this an enjoyable and accessible session for anyone looking to enhance their own garden.
- 28 Jul 2026
Gardens Along The Gulf Stream by John Anderson
11:00 am
John will take audiences on a journey through the extraordinary gardens he has managed, from the intimate charm of Mount Usher in County Wicklow to the dramatic, sub-tropical oasis of Inverewe in northwest Scotland. He will also delve into the woodland splendour of Exbury, home to the Rothschild rhododendron collection, and share experiences from the renowned Savill and Valley Gardens in Berkshire.
- 28 Jul 2026
It’s Never Too Late with Oliver Schurmann
3:00 pm
Set in the charming surrounds of Hardymount Gardens, It’s Never Too Late by Oliver Schurmann is a thoughtful and inspiring talk that reflects on change, renewal and the evolving journey of a life in plants.
- 30 Jul 2026
Reinventing the Shrubbery – Some Thoughts
11:00 am
Rediscover the beauty of slowing down in the garden with Daphne Shackleton’s inspiring talk, Reinventing the Shrubbery – Some Thoughts. Once a traditional feature of every Irish garden, shrubberies often became forgotten corners dominated by dense evergreen planting. Daphne explores how these spaces can now be reimagined as vibrant havens filled with colour, texture and scent.
- 30 Jul 2026
Wild by Design: Planting Inspired by Nature with Noel Kingsbury
3:00 pm
Noel Kingsbury will share insights from his extensive and very influential body of work, including his books on planting design and ecology, alongside his continuing research into plant growth habits. Expect to leave with a deeper understanding of how to design plantings that are dynamic, ecologically rich and beautiful throughout the seasons.
- 31 Jul 2026
West Dean Gardens: A Virtual Tour of Managing a Large Garden
11:30 am
In this engaging talk, Tom will guide audiences through the many distinct areas of the gardens, sharing the history, design principles and horticultural practices that make West Dean such a unique and thriving location. From managing extensive herbaceous borders and formal gardens to maintaining glasshouses, orchards and woodland areas, Tom offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of caring for a public garden throughout the seasons.
