Boyne Valley Garden Trail

Boyne Valley Garden Trail

The rich heritage of the Boyne Valley is reflected in gardens that date back to the C17th. Each garden member is open either by appointment, or for a set number of days per year. Many gardens host events, including walks, charity fetes, plant sales, outdoor theatre, music and much more.

Download the Boyne Valley Garden Trail Brochure pdf

Visit Website (above) for Opening Times, Fees, Contact Details and more information on each garden.

Gardens in Co. Louth

Augustinian Garden of Remembrance | Shop Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Adjoining the Augustinian Church and drawing on it’s monastic heritage the garden holds the names of loved ones to be remembered in a peaceful setting formed by pleached lime trees and standing stones surrounding a water memorial. Holly, Juniper, soft fruit trees, flowering herbaceous varieties and aromatic herbs fill the garden.

Barmeath Castle | Dunleer, Co. Louth

Unique, C18th landscape designed by Tomas Wright includes fine specimen azaleas and rhododendrons.  A recently restored walled garden restoration project is a joy to visit with opulent herbaceous borders and kitchen garden plots.  Groups by appointment.

Battle of the Boyne, Oldbridge House and Gardens | Drogheda, Co. Meath

Walled garden with newly restored sunken octagonal garden, peach house, apple orchard, newly planted herbaceous borders and historic garden exhibition in the Bothy.  Tea Pavilion overlooking the gardens.

Killineer House and Gardens | Drogheda, Co. Louth

Early C19th gardens with formal paths descending from terraces and lawns to a woodland walk, beautiful lake, swans and a summerhouse.  A visit to the 1.5 acre walled garden with fruit trees, herbaceous borders and vegetables is heavenly.  Groups by appointment.

Listoke Garden, Cafe, Art Gallery and Mead Hall | Ballymakenny Rd, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Beautiful Edwardian garden with rare and special herbeaceous plants, woodland walk and a small menagerie of feathered friends to delight all ages.  Art Gallery, Pavillion Tea Rooms, Garden Shop, and Accommodation.  Groups by appointment

Rokeby Hall | Grangebellew, Dunleer, Co. Louth

Built by architect Francis Johnston in the C18th, Rokeby won the An Taisce Ellison Award in 2013 for the restoration of its Turner designed conservatory.  House and garden can be visited at times listed.  Groups of 8 by appointment.

Beaulieu House and Garden | Beaulieu, Drogheda, Co. Louth

C18th walled garden overlooking the river Boyne, planted with a vibrant double herbaceous border, fruit trees, knot garden, lawns and summer house. Tea and coffee by arrangement.  Garden by appointment.

Collon House | Collon, Co. Louth

Historic home built in 1740, with fine Georgian interiors and an enclosed, ornamental garden with period planting.  Award winning period accommodation is offered.  Tea/Coffee by arrangement.  Please see website for more details.  By appointment only.

Gardens in Co. Meath

Francis Ledwidge Museum | Janeville, Slane, Co. Meath

World War I poet and soldier, Francis Ledwidge was born and raised in this restored C19th labourers cottage containing memorabilia.  The pretty cottage garden reminds us of the poet’s love for nature deep in the countryside of Slane.

St. Mary’s Abbey | High Street, Trim, Co. Meath

An intriguing, medieval abbey dating back to 1415 with walled kitchen garden overlooking the River Boyne and Trim Castle.  Converted to a manor house and then a school.  St. Mary has centuries of history to tell.  Open various dates throughout the year – see website for details.

Balrath House and Courtyard | Navan, Co. Meath

A perfectly romantic Georgian house built in 1760, set in idyllic gardens, Balrath House offers 4 star self-catering accommodation.  Please see website for reservations and to book a visit. Garden by appointment

Bee Wise | Crerogue, Kilmessan, Co Meath

A five acre nature trail comprising of a variety of young woodland, flowering/ fruiting hedgerows and wildflower areas planted to encourage a diversity of wildlife. A 1.5km path has information points and benches along the route and a large working observation hive gives an insight into the life of the honey bee. Please see website for opening times.

College Hill House | Braystown, Slane, Co. Meath

This lovely 1795 house is set in three acres of delightful, landscaped formal and informal garden and grounds. For reservations and group visits please see website.

The Cottages | Seabank, Coast Road, Bettystown, Co. Meath

The Cottages are a dreamy hamlet of 300 year old thatched cottages, set in large organic flower gardens, by the seaside. Open by appointment Spring & Autumn only (min group 10).

Herbert’s Garden |  Churchtown, Navan, Co. Meath

Designer James McConnell’s garden features a formal beech garden, boxwood parterre and a rose garden with a folly. Enjoy the lime walk, hornbeam arbour and vistas of parkland beautifully laid out around an early C19th farmhouse. Conveniently accessible from the M3 motorway and close to Navan, Trim, Kells, Athboy. Groups pre-book.

Julianstown Village Garden |  Julianstown, Co. Meath

This Award Winning Village Garden has an orchard, woodland, flowerbeds, soft fruit bushes, herbs, pond and scattered seating.  Plants for pollinators and biodiversity encourage bees and butterflies.  Check website for details of events.

Kilgar Gardens | Gallow, Kilcock, Co. Meath

Kilgar Gardens covers an area of 3 acres comprising of beautifully planted formal & informal garden rooms, graduating to a more naturalistic style of planting towards the outer reaches. Tearooms at weekends serving sweet treat.  Please check website for opening times.  Groups by appointment.

Rosemount | Julianstown Co. Meath

Once upon a time, "Rosemount" was a commercial orchard, sloping down to the treacherous river Nanny.  Today, it is an enchanted riverscape garden set on ten acres, studded with a collection of unusual trees and outhouses.  Teas, apéritifs, music lectures, political and economic talks by arrangement.  Open by appointment only.

Sonairte Visitor Eco-Centre & Gardens | The Ninch, Laytown, Co Meath

Sonairte is a great place for a family day out; developed arund a traditional C18th Irish farmstead.  Visit the productive walled garden and nature trail along the pretty River Nanny and learn about bees at the Bee Museum.  Craft and food fairs all year round.  Coffee shop on-site.  See web for details.

The Station House Hotel | Kilmessan, Co. Meath

The Station House is the Boyne Valley’s top country house hotel with exquisitely tended gardens creating an oasis of relaxation. Country-style afternoon teas, with a special discount to Trail visitors can be booked year round. (Quote BVGT2019).

Tankardstown House | Rathkenny, Slane, Co. Meath

Tankardstown comprises 80 acres of woodland, parkland, courtyards and walled gardens.  A 500m lime tree avenue leads up to the late C18th Manor House with wonderfully tended gardens and surrounds.  The walled kitchen garden supplies the award winning Brabazon Restaurant. Garden by appointment only.

Garden Centres

Boyne Garden Centre | Ardcalf, Slane, Co. Meath

Multi-Award winning Garden Centre, with several ‘Best in Show’ & eight successive Gold Medals at Bloom. Renowned for their unique selection of top quality plants, grown in their own nursery, with special emphasis on plants that encourage pollinators and biodiversity. See website for catalogue. Members of ISNA [Irish Specialist Nursery Association].  Check website for opening times.

Ratoath Garden Centre | Raystown, Ashbourne, Co. Meath

A garden centre in a garden with beautifully planted borders.  One of the largest show gardens in Ireland.  Please check website for free informative Summer gardening talks.  Sample tasy treats at the Wildflower Café and shop in the eclectic gift shop. Check website for opening times.

Riverlane Nurseries | Roristown Lodge, Trim, Co. Meath

Owned by John and Eileen Eivers – winner of Gold, Gilt and Silver medals at BLOOM, the nursery specialises in herbaceous perennials and cottage garden plants.  Check website for opening times.