To Celebrate becoming Irelands First Organic Certified Ornamental Garden, Ballintubbert Gardens and House are flinging the gates open for a series of open days this summer. Join Ballintubbert on Sunday July 31 st from 12 noon to 5pm. Come and spend the day in this place of wellness and peace. Wander through the formal organic gardens, run wild in the long meadow, play hide and seek in the woodlands and perhaps play skittles in the Orchard. The good cups are out and they will be offering teas and coffees and sumptuous cakes from the pop up tea shop.
Jenifer the head gardener will tell the story of the organic journey and how you can do the same at home. It does involve spraying but only with nettle and comfrey tea.
Further open days on Thursday 18th August and Sunday 18th September are also available.
Adults are €10 euro and children under 12 are free. Last visitors accepted at 3pm. Pre booking is essential www.ballintubbert.com/experiences
A little about Ballintubbert Gardens and House
Located in a picturesque valley between the village of Stradbally and the town of Athy, Ballintubbert occupies a rich heritage in Co. Laois. The house itself was built in 1725 and this beautifully restored Georgian residence has been largely associated with literary and theatrical figures throughout the ages having been home to Poet Laureate Cecil Day-Lewis, and actors Sir John Hurt and Sebastian Shaw at various stages.
While the house commands central stage the gardens have always been a core feature of the property and have become an experience in their own right. The ethos of Ballintubbert has always been based on clear sustainability practices. In 2020 Ballintubbert in an effort to further enhance the gardens and their impact on the environment the process of organic certification began. The aim was to be the first certified organic ornamental garden in the country. This has been achieved in May 2022.
The gardens have been developed since the 1850’s and continue to develop following the Arts and Crafts tradition, using a series of living garden rooms to create an ever-changing journey through the grounds. The gardens cover 14 acres of beautifully designed landscape and encapsulates the “garden rooms”. These “garden rooms” are arranged symmetrically around the centrepiece of the simple Georgian manor house.
Highlights of these fascinating “garden rooms” include the Robinson woodland walk and mirrored canal, the magnificent Arthur Shackleton designed garden, the Lutyens inspired Garden with its’ fountain and trademark stone walls and the Rose Garden with over 300 roses. The Herb Garden was originally developed by actor Sebastian Shaw (who played Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi in 1983) who was a self-practicing herbalist.
Jenifer the head gardener is a fountain of knowledge and she will be available at the open days to describe how she gardens holistically and organically in Ballintubbert and answer any questions the guests may have.
Media Contact: Jackie Carroll , events@ballintubbert.com and +353 87 3981191
