Treasures

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Chinese Pagoda

The garden has many surprises throughout which include a Chinese Pagoda in the centre of an old quarry that is spectacular when viewed from above. The stone from the quarry has been used throughout the garden to build walls and steps.

The Resting Place of Ambrose and Majorie Congreve

A classical temple surrounded by Rhododendron yunnanense and Rhododendron ‘Hino-crimson’ (EA) is located above a beautiful view of the River Suir and the neighbouring countryside. The site of the Woodstown Viking Settlement can be seen from here.

The Rock Waterfall

The rock waterfall cascades over a natural rock formation into three small pools is edged with water margin plants such as Lysichiton americanus, Calta palustris and Primula pulverulenta. From here you are almost level with the Waterford Greenway and the Suir Valley Railway tracks. Opposite the waterfall stands the Ice House used as a cold food store in times past.

Georgian Glasshouse

Herbaceous plants such as Lobelia tupa, Eucomis bicolor, Coreopsis verticillata border the Georgian glasshouse built in 1840, which is currently under renovation. As do Romneya coulteri var. trichocalyx, Sedum spectabile, dahlia cultivars and many more. A manicured lawn is the central feature of this garden, planted with one Aesculus parviflora. A sloping box hedge that leads to the Bell Gate has Tropaeolum speciosum growing through it and is very effective in flower.

Mount Congreve House

Mount Congreve house was built in the 1760s and designed by famous Waterford architect John Roberts and was continually lived in for 6 generations of Congreves. Guests who wish to visit the gardens can now do so as the Congreve family once did, and enter through Mount Congreve House. Garden admission tickets can be purchased online or on the day. Visitors will receive a warm welcome from the visitor experience team and be guided into the two new interpretative spaces and then exit to the gardens via the North Terrace.

Tours

Thursday Tours

Every Thursday between March and October you can join us for a scheduled guided tour of the gardens at 2:00pm (weather permitting). Meet at Mount Congreve House before entering the gardens, through the house, as the Congreve Family once did. From there your guide will take you on a gentle stroll through the woodland gardens, fragrant walk, as well as the walled gardens. Throughout the tour you will experience all that the gardens have to offer, while learning about the estate’s history, including anecdotes about its former owners. This is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in a world-renowned garden.

DURATION: Approx. 1.5 - 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: €19 per person (€17.10 for Members)
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: Max 40
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Garden Highlight Walk

Following a grand arrival through the main entrance of Mount Congreve House, visitors will enjoy a gentle stroll through Mount Congreve's gardens. Following the terrace path, past the rolling west lawn, highlights include the delicately leafed Acer Tamukeyama and vibrant pink-green tinged Pseudowintera “Marjorie Congreve” named after Mr. Ambrose Congreve's wife. From there, stroll towards the Bell Gate Lawn, overlooked by ancient trees like Oak and Yew and also many rare trees such as the Handkerchief tree. This guided tour includes the Walled Gardens, where fruit and vegetables have been grown to support the estate over centuries. TO BOOK email our Estate Team at [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 384 115

DURATION: Approx. 1 hour
FITNESS LEVEL: Low - Moderate
PRICE: For details email: [email protected]
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-40
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Herman Dool Tour

Elmer Dool, a respected horticulturist, leads the 'Herman Dool Guided Tour' at Mount Congreve Gardens in honor of his father, Herman Dool. Herman Dool was Garden Director at Mount Congreve Gardens from the 1960s working alongside Ambrose Congreve to design and plant the gardens over forty years. The gardens feature mass plantings of many varieties, creating stunning, colorful vistas year-round. Elmer Dool is proud to continue his father's legacy by offering guests a chance to explore the gardens and learn about their history. In recognition of his achievements to horticulture, Mr Herman Dool was honoured with the Orange Order of Nassau by the Queen of The Netherlands, which is the equivalent of a British Knighthood. Elmer is delighted to take guests on this tour and to have the opportunity to walk in his father's footsteps. TO BOOK email our Estate Team at [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 384 115

DURATION: Approx. 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: For details email: [email protected]
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-40
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Estate Director Tour

A must for nature and garden enthusiasts, this tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the formal and woodland gardens with Mount Congreve Estate’s Director who originally started work in the Estate in 1989. On this tour, visitors will hear of the stories and the origins of rare species and plants that are both native to Ireland and present in these gardens. Visitors will also hear stories and anecdotes about the Estate's former owners including Mr Ambrose Congreve the last owner of the Estate as well as those that worked at Mount Congreve over the years. As visitors move through the gardens, they will also learn innovative techniques and methods along with some surprises about plants, trees and shrubs that have been used throughout history for dietary and medicinal purposes. How plants have helped shape our history and how we can continue to learn from the plants and nature around us. TO BOOK email our Estate Team at [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 384 115

DURATION: Approx. 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: For details email: [email protected]
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-40
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At a glance

Trails

Woodland Garden Walk - 55 mins

Woodland Garden Walk - 55 mins

Stretch your legs, fill your lungs with fresh air and let the kids run free as you meander through woodland paths lined with spectacular collections of camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons.

Duration: 55 min
♿ Fragrant Walk - 20 mins

♿ Fragrant Walk - 20 mins

Accessible to all our visitors, enjoy year-round, ever-changing fragrances as you journey through varied plant collections and glimpse the woodland garden to the west and the walled garden to the east.

Duration: 20 min
Walled Garden Walk - 30 mins

Walled Garden Walk - 30 mins

Discover how herbs, vegetables and fruit trees are grown on an easy stroll through the kitchen garden; enjoy expanses of soothing green lawn and flowering trees around the pleasure garden.

Duration: 30 MIN
Woodland Garden Walk - 55 mins

Woodland Garden Walk - 55 mins

Stretch your legs, fill your lungs with fresh air and let the kids run free as you meander through woodland paths lined with spectacular collections of camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons.

Duration: 55 min
♿ Fragrant Walk - 20 mins

♿ Fragrant Walk - 20 mins

Accessible to all our visitors, enjoy year-round, ever-changing fragrances as you journey through varied plant collections and glimpse the woodland garden to the west and the walled garden to the east.

Duration: 20 min
Walled Garden Walk - 30 mins

Walled Garden Walk - 30 mins

Discover how herbs, vegetables and fruit trees are grown on an easy stroll through the kitchen garden; enjoy expanses of soothing green lawn and flowering trees around the pleasure garden.

Duration: 30 MIN
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