The herb gardens at Kilgraney House are a delightful and aromatic addition to the Carlow Garden Trail.
Kilgraney House features expertly curated herb gardens, blending historical charm with practical beauty.
Nestled in the heart of County Carlow, halfway between Carlow town and Kilkenny City, Kilgraney House is a historic Georgian country house with numerous granite outbuildings that have been lovingly restored and transformed into comfortable guest accommodation. The house takes its name from the Irish ‘cill gréine’ which means ‘sunny hill’ or ‘wood’ and these wooded and secluded grounds overlook the tranquil Barrow valley. The gardens are a treasure trove of aromatic herbs, showcasing a wide array of culinary, medicinal, and aromatic species whilst providing a delightful experience for its guests and garden visitors.
Kilgraney House and Herb Gardens
Diverse Herb Gardens Unveiled
The gardens consist of a series of interconnecting herbal gardens that are revealed slowly to the visitor. The herb gardens were initially established as a vital component of the guest accommodation offerings, first a simple potager garden, supplying fresh and flavourful vegetables, fruits and herbs to the house’s kitchen. Then, over the years, the surrounding herb gardens have evolved into an enchanting and serene space, merging both form and function. The design reflects the timeless elegance of the Georgian era but with some more contemporary elements, with well-structured pathways and neatly trimmed hedges, all of which evoke a sense of refined grace but with occasional surprises too.
Craft Exhibition: Aug 3rd – 31st
Kilgraney Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition featuring a collection of work in jewellery, textiles, ceramics, sculpture and prints.
This exhibition brings together a range of handcrafted pieces, all made with care, attention to detail, and a strong connection to natural materials and traditional techniques. From delicate jewellery and richly textured textiles to expressive prints and hand-formed ceramics, each piece reflects the artist’s love of making and working with their hands.
Fold and Adorn: Origami Jewellery Making
Date: Thursday 7th August
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost – 65 euros.
Unfold your creativity in this relaxing and hands-on morning workshop combining the art of origami with the sparkle of jewellery making. You’ll begin by folding a striking geometric paper decoration, perfect as a Christmas ornament or a statement piece. Then, you’ll move on to crafting smaller, delicate shapes and learn how to turn them into beautiful earrings, pendants, and charms.
No prior experience needed, just bring your curiosity and a love for handmade treasures. All materials are provided, and we’ll enjoy a mid-morning break with tea, coffee, and homemade scones.
Garden Impressions: Monoprinting with Natural & Non-Toxic Inks.
Date: Thursday 14th August
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost – 65 euros.
Join us for a relaxed and creative morning in the beautiful Kilgraney House garden, where plants, light, and texture inspire a hands-on exploration of monoprinting using natural and non-toxic inks.
Participants will experiment with simple, printmaking methods to create unique monoprints. We’ll explore layering, direct printing from natural textures, and spontaneous mark-making. You’ll also learn how to make your own botanical inks through a live demonstration using seasonal plants foraged from the Kilgraney grounds. All experience levels are welcome. This is a mindful, nature-connected session in a beautiful setting, with tea, coffee, and homemade scones served mid-morning.
Beads and Beyond: Creative Jewellery Making Workshop
Date: Thursday 21st August
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost – 65 euros.
Dive into the world of beaded jewellery in this vibrant, hands-on workshop where colour, texture, and design come together. Using a beautiful assortment of glass, acrylic, and wooden beads, you’ll learn how to craft your own unique jewellery pieces, including earrings, pendants, and brooches.
You’ll also have the option to enhance your designs with hand-painted wooden elements and simple wirework techniques, adding dimension and flair to your pieces. This workshop is ideal for beginners and creative enthusiasts looking to explore the art of jewellery making. Enjoy a relaxing morning of creativity, with tea, coffee, and homemade scones during the break. All tools and materials are provided, just bring your imagination!
Sun Prints: Cyanotype & Anthotype Botanical Printing.
Date: Thursday 28th August
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost – 65 euros.
Celebrate nature, light, and time in this hands-on workshop exploring cyanotype and anthotype printing, two historic, camera-free techniques that use sunlight and plants to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints on paper and fabric.
You’ll learn how to create deep blue cyanotypes using UV-sensitive chemicals, natural materials like leaves and lace, and sunlight. You’ll also explore anthotypes, a gentler, slower method using plant-based emulsions (like turmeric or beetroot juice) to make delicate images with the help of sunshine and patience
All materials are provided, and we’ll pause mid-morning for tea, coffee, and homemade scones.
Unique Herbal Experiences Await
In addition to the large kitchen garden, you can explore a series of herb-inspired spaces. First, there’s a medicinal herb garden, set in a granite courtyard and consisting of nine raised beds in Irish oak timber. Each bed is planted with herbs suitable for treating a particular part of the body. Next, you’ll discover a modern interpretation of a medieval monastic herb garden, with four oak raised beds filled with plants grown for: medicine; flavouring beers, wines and spirits; ceremonial purposes; and for strewing. The beds are surrounded on two sides by an oak timber cloister covered in grape vines and hop plants.
Close by there’s a cosmic herb garden to help explain and facilitate our understanding of the ancient belief that there is a connection between people, plants, planets and constellations. In an adjoining courtyard there’s an olfactory overload awaiting in the fragrant sanctuary, an aromatic garden planted with herbs, jasmine and roses for fragrance and also for their usefulness in cosmetic preparations.
Further along there’s a hornbeam lined walk with four garden rooms: one with cutting flowers; one with soft fruits, one with meddlers and another with quince trees. There’s a tall yew hedge at the end of the croquet lawn and behind it you’ll discover a heritage Irish apple orchard, maintaining biodiversity with some unique Irish cultivars.
Further along, there’s a native tree walk based on Bretha Comaithchesa, an 8th century Irish law where trees were classified into four hierarchical categories with a series of laws governing their use. Finally, there’s a Celtic Torc garden, an Irish interpretation of a Japanese Zen garden.
The Gardens
The carefully tended beds, lush greenery, and vibrant colours create a picture-perfect setting. The gardens are ideal for a leisurely stroll or for a moment of quiet contemplation. Throughout the garden you’ll come across many herbs and plants that are suitable for infusions and herbal teas. More recently part of the kitchen garden has been augmented with plants for dyeing fabrics and paper.
The gardens are a testament to the owner’s commitment to preserving the beauty of the past while embracing the practices of the present. With their timeless beauty and bountiful herbs, these gardens are an essential element of the Carlow Garden Trail experience.
Facilities
- Carpark
- Toilets
- Restricted wheelchair access
- Self-catering accommodation available
- Unsuitable for children, no dogs allowed
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Situated just off the R705, Kilgraney House is halfway between Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag) and Borris.
