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

Experience Mount Congreve’s gardens through the eyes of an expert. Every Thursday, March - September at 2:00 pm(weather permitting) join us for a scheduled guided tour of the gardens. Meet at Mount Congreve House and you will be joined by one of our Expert Gardeners. Follow their passion for gardening as they share first-hand secrets and world-class, innovative techniques that have been passed down through generations. Learn how the walled gardens were laid out to create a natural airflow to protect against frost and disease, how the rotation of crops for the best care of the soil has been passed down since 1760, how integrated pest control systems enable plants to thrive organically! Discover the secrets of Mount Congreve's world-class garden on this rare opportunity to learn from one of its resident experts.

DURATION: Approx. 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: €18 per person (€16.20 for Members)
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: Max 30
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General Guided Tours - Garden Highlight Walk (formal gardens)

Following a grand arrival past the sweeping, main entrance of Mount Congreve house, visitors enjoy a gentle stroll through Mount Congreve's formal gardens. This guided visit includes the Walled Gardens, where fruit and vegetables have been grown to support the estate over centuries. See the Peach House and the multiple, heritage variety apples including Beauty of Bath, Discovery and James Grieve. From there, visitors pass onto the Bellgate Lawn, surrounded by almost 200 Rose “Scarlet Abundance” and overlooked by ancient Oak trees. Following the terrace walk, past the rolling rose lawn, highlights include the delicately leafed Acer Tamukeyama and vibrant pink-green tinged Pseudowintera, “Marjorie Congreve” named after Mr Ambrose Congreve's wife. 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: €14 per person
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-30
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Guided tour with Expert Gardener

In addition to a guided visit of Mount Congreve's 70-acre formal and woodland gardens, this tour offers visitors a rare opportunity to learn from one of the estate's resident gardening experts and gain a deeper insight into the workings and management required throughout diverse seasons. Learn first-hand secrets and world-class, innovative gardening techniques that have been shared over centuries. These include how the walled gardens have been laid out to create a natural airflow to protect against frost and disease, the rotation of crops for the best care of soil. The integrated pest control system that enables plants to thrive and survive organically. The centuries-old technique of self-irrigating conservatories, the methods that encourage the growth of grapes and peaches, even in Ireland's temperate climate! TO BOOK email our Estate Team at [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 384 115

DURATION: Approx. 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: €20 per person
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-30
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General Guided Tours- Garden Walk-Hike (formal and woodland gardens)

Following a visit of the formal gardens as outlined above, visitors enjoy an extended walk-hike through the rougher terrain that winds through the stunning surroundings of Mount Congreve's woodland gardens. Highlights of this visit include the Rock Waterfall, surrounded by a magnificent 1km long Magnolia walk and even longer Hydrangea walk; the Ice House, built in the 1750s to preserve the estate's food; the unexpected presence of a Chinese Pagoda, nestled within an impressive 17 metre drop; and the Temple (finally resting place of Mr Ambrose Congreve and his wife Marjorie Congreve), overlooking the River Suir. TO BOOK email our Estate Team at [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 384 115

DURATION: Approx. 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: €14 per person
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-30
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General Guided Tours - Worldwide walking tour (formal & woodland gardens)

Following an impressive arrival at the main entrance of the Mount Congreve estate, this visit includes both the formal and woodland gardens. Throughout a two-hour exploration, an expert gardener guides emphasise plants from around the world; including rare species from the foothills of Nepal, to the mountains of South Africa and from the Swamps of Georgia U.S.A, all the way to Siberia. TO BOOK email our Estate Team at [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 384 115

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VISIT INCLUDE
  • Japanese Azeleas
  • Majestic Californian Redwood
  • Spiky (but beautiful) fragrant Mahonia, from Eastern Asia
  • Twisted trunk of the Mediterranean Castanea
  • "Handkerchief" tree from China
  • "Dinosaur" tree from Australia o Wollemia Nobolis: thought be extinct, until rediscovered in 1994. This tree was gifted to Mr Ambrose by the Mount Congreve resident gardeners to mark his 100th birthday
DURATION: Approx. 2 hours
FITNESS LEVEL: Moderate
PRICE: €16 per person
MIN/MAX NUMBERS: 10-30
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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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OPEN TODAY 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
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