SEASONS BLOG
Browse our blog for gardening tips and inspiration, as well as news about what's happening Over the Garden Fence! We'd love to hear from you too – please feel free to email us your requests - [email protected]
GROUNDED & GROWING: July at Mount Congreve Gardens
June 28th 2025
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July is here — and with it comes long days, glorious blooms, and a new rhythm to life at Mount Congreve Gardens. Whether you’re craving calm, creativity, or crisp garden greens, this month brings a rich mix of wellness, flavour, and discovery — all grounded in nature. Here’s what’s growing on this July…
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Ditch the Screens this Summer!
May 23rd 2025
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Why Mount Congreve Gardens is the Ultimate Family Escape Ditch the screens. Discover nature. Make memories that last. If you’re looking for a family destination that’s full of discovery, wonder, and fresh air – Mount Congreve Gardens is the place to be. Just a short drive from Kilmeaden village and 10 minutes from Waterford City, it’s the perfect base for your next family break.
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The Peony Walk: A Bloom You’ll Never Forget
May 22nd 2025
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There are moments in nature so breathtaking, so quietly powerful, that they linger in the memory long after the season has passed. At Mount Congreve Gardens, one of those moments is nearly here: the spectacular Peony Walk is expected to start blooming from the June Bank Holiday weekend onwards, and it’s set to steal the hearts of every visitor who walks its path. Nestled within one of the great gardens of the world, the Peony Walk is a dazzling display of colour, scent, and serenity. A perennial border of rich pinks, corals, creams, and reds bursts into bloom along a carefully planted stretch that feels at once completely natural and utterly otherworldly. It is, quite simply, a true oasis.
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Sit. Stay. Unwind. The New Dog Room at Mount Congreve’s Rowan Gate Lodge
May 20th 2025
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Looking to spend time somewhere beautiful with your dog in tow? Mount Congreve Gardens in County Waterford offers just the place. With scenic walks, dog-friendly stays, and even a café that caters to canine companions, it's a destination that welcomes both you and your four-legged friend with open arms.
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🌿 Why Book Restival This May Bank Holiday?
April 22nd 2025
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Looking for a meaningful way to spend the May Bank Holiday weekend? Restival at Mount Congreve Gardens offers the ultimate escape — a two-day festival of wellness, nature, and inspiration set in one of the world’s most breathtaking garden estates. Whether you're craving stillness, movement, connection or simply a deep breath of fresh air, Restival is your invitation to slow down and reset. Here's why you won't want to miss it...
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Why a Midweek Escape to Mount Congreve Might Be Just What You Need
April 14th 2025
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Weekends always seem to get all the attention — but what if we told you the secret to a truly rejuvenating escape lies in the middle of the week? At Mount Congreve Gardens, midweek stays offer something special. Slower mornings. Empty woodland trails. Golden hour in the gardens without another soul in sight. If you’re craving space to breathe, time to think, or simply a break from routine, our midweek guests know: this is the best-kept secret in Waterford.
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Escape to Nature: Why Mount Congreve’s Cabins & Lodges are Among Ireland’s Best Stays
March 22nd 2025
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Escape to Nature: Why Mount Congreve's Cabins & Lodges are Among Ireland’s Best Stays Nestled within the breathtaking Mount Congreve Gardens, our eco cabins and historic lodges offer the perfect escape—whether you’re a couple seeking a romantic retreat, a family on an adventure, or a group of friends looking for a unique getaway. Combining luxury, nature, and convenience, our accommodations provide an unforgettable experience, just minutes from Waterford city and the Waterford Greenway.
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Magnolias in Bloom: Why Mount Congreve Gardens is a Must-See in March
February 24th 2025
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Magnolias in Bloom: Why Mount Congreve Gardens is a Must-See in March As spring awakens, Mount Congreve Gardens transforms into a breathtaking spectacle of colour, with its world-renowned collection of magnolias stealing the show. If you’re looking for one of the top things to do in Ireland in March, a visit to this horticultural gem is an absolute must.
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Behind the Scenes – Accommodation Series Part 2: THE COURTYARD SUITE
December 1st 2024
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Welcome back to our Behind the Scenes series, where we share the remarkable transformations of Mount Congreve’s accommodations. Following the restoration of the historic Gate Lodge, this instalment brings you inside the Courtyard Suite—a forgotten space in the West Wing of Mount Congreve House that has been given a new lease on life.
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Behind the Scenes – Accommodation Series Part 1: THE HISTORIC GATE LODGE
November 19th 2024
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Welcome to our Behind the Scenes series, where we share the incredible transformation of Mount Congreve’s accommodations. First up: the Damson Gate Lodge—a charming building built in 1775 that has been lovingly restored to honour its rich history while embracing modern comforts.
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Mount Congreve Gardens is now a Royal Horticultural Society partner
June 27th 2024
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Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford is now officially a partner garden in the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland. The RHSI selects partner gardens on the basis of offering inspiration to keen gardeners through high standards of design or planting. Many are well known, some less so, resulting in a stimulating mix of styles that visitors should find interesting throughout the gardening year.
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New York Times names Irish county among top ‘52 Places’ to visit in 2024
January 10th 2024
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International Tourism Spotlight on Waterford for 2024 as The New York Times Announces 52 Places to Go in 2024 list The prestigious New York Times ‘52 Places to Go’ List for 2024 has just been announced and Waterford is included as the only Irish destination in the international listing.
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Mount Congreve Gardens listed by Conde Nast Traveller in their ‘Best Place To Go’ 2024
November 15th 2023
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Mount Congreve Gardens listed by Conde Nast Traveller in their ‘Best Place To Go’ 2024 The prestigious international travel magazine ‘Conde Nast Traveller’ has zoned in on Mount Congreve for their ‘Best Place To Go in the UK & Ireland’ 2024 listing.
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Mount Congreve Gardens Announced as Multiple Award Winners
October 10th 2023
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2023 Visitor Attraction Winners at Georgina Campbell Awards Winners of a 2023 International Garden Tourism Award Shortlisted for Chambers Ireland Excellence Awards 2023 The team at Mount Congreve Gardens are celebrating today as they have received news of award wins from across Ireland and the globe.
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RESTORATIONS CONTINUE
September 10th 2023
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Follow our journey as we continue to restore the magnificent 18th-century estate of Mount Congreve Gardens. Our recent investments have transformed the estate, including the development of a state-of-the-art visitor centre featuring the Secret Garden Shop and Stables Café by The Pantry at CLIFF. We’ve also opened Mount Congreve House to the public for the very first time. Additionally, we’ve created two new interpretation rooms, three dedicated garden trails, and a wayfinding and interpretation program in the gardens. We’ve even developed a new eco-woodlands playground with dry toilets.
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Restival Festival
July 28th 2023
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Recharge at Restival - Mount Congreve’s annual weekend wellness event Now in its third year, Restival offers attendees the perfect opportunity to reset and relax within the world-renowned Mount Congreve Gardens, located just 10 minutes from Waterford City. Within these gardens, Restival attendees will enjoy yoga, pilates, Qi Gong, as well as forest bathing experiences. In addition, Ireland’s Leading Personal Trainer, Radio & TV Broadcaster, Author, and Podcast Host Karl Henry, as well as TV presenter, and self-described jogger, Mary Kennedy will be among those sharing their wellness experiences across the weekend.
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From Waterford to China
May 20th 2023
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This week we welcome a visit from the International Society of Wallpaper hosted by Mr David Skinner Between 1966 and 1969, Ambrose Congreve remodelled part of the 18th-century section of the house, including the Large Drawing room. A unique aspect of Mount Congreve is how the Asiatic theme of the gardens is reflected throughout the House. In this room in particular we see the great connection Ambrose had with Asia, and how it, combined with his botanical interests, is reflected through this hand-painted Chinese wallpaper.
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EASTER TRAIL
April 1st 2023
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Are you looking for a fun-filled family day out over the Easter weekend? Look no further! BOOK NOW Enjoy an Easter Trail in the beautiful grounds of Mount Congreve Gardens, in partnership with the children’s foundation Juniors for Juniors. Our Easter Trail is a lovely way to spend time with your family - and it’s for a good cause!
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Mount Congreve, where even U2 band member has a flower named after him, re-opens after €6 million investment
March 1st 2023
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Long considered one of Ireland’s top four great gardens, Mount Congreve was left in trust to the State by its colourful owner and creator Ambrose Congreve Fionnuala Fallon Wed Mar 1 2023 - 13:41
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Curator’s Corner – February Edition
February 26th 2023
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FEBRUARY'S PLANT OF THE MONTH by Michael White - Garden Curator - Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' In February when the garden is often under the roof and in the teeth of winter from purple buds, a plant opens its small clusters of soft pink flowers that fill the surrounding air with its intoxicating fragrance. This intoxicating sweet fragrance will kiss you on the nose long before it reveals itself to your eyes as its fragrance can travel quite a distance on an accommodating breeze.
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Curator’s Corner – December Edition
December 13th 2022
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December's Plant of the Month - MAHONIA by Michael White - Garden Curator This genus has so many Irish connections as it was named to honour Irishman Bernard McMahon and some of the most widely grown cultivars in gardens were Irish-raised. Here at Mount Congreve, we grow almost sixty different forms and all can be located on or near the fragrant walk. With so many in the collection one or another is in flower from July to April. This month an Irish-raised cultivar Mahonia x media 'Charity' is at its best with upright panicles of bright yellow fragrant flowers held above spiky attractive foliage on vase-shaped plants. Mahonia japonica that carries what I consider to be the best fragrance is also starting to flower . Others such as Mahonia russelii from Mexico with its soft creamy yellow flowers , Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis 'Soft Caress' and Mahonia fortunei can also be seen flowering. Mahonias raised and named at Mount Congreve such as Mahonia 'Skybound' , 'Golightly' , 'Jimi Blake ' are also worth checking out and one of the best new cultivars Mahonia 'Esme' just about to flower. Other plants to see Camellia sasanqua 'Narumi gata' on drive above the house Camellia sasanqua 'Plantation Pink' top of bluebell walk Rhododendron 'Nobleanum' in Doyles wood Many maples
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Mount Congreve Gardens close for new development works
September 22nd 2021
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The 70-acre Mount Congreve Gardens overlooking the River Suir and located around 7km from the centre of Waterford City will close on October 10th 2021.
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Over the garden fence
Over the garden fence
GROUNDED & GROWING: July at Mount Congreve Gardens
June 28th 2025
Over the garden fence
Ditch the Screens this Summer!
May 23rd 2025
Over the garden fence
The Peony Walk: A Bloom You’ll Never Forget
May 22nd 2025
Over the garden fence
Sit. Stay. Unwind. The New Dog Room at Mount Congreve’s Rowan Gate Lodge
May 20th 2025
Over the garden fence
🌿 Why Book Restival This May Bank Holiday?
April 22nd 2025
Over the garden fence
Why a Midweek Escape to Mount Congreve Might Be Just What You Need
April 14th 2025
Colors and scents. All year round.
A year in bloom
