KILMACURRAGH ARBORETUM, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin

National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh

A number of events are taking place at Kilmacurragh Arboretum this year. They include Workshops, guided tours and a family day. See the events page for full details . . .
GUIDED TOURS are available DAILY at 12 noon or 3 pm. Meet in the Car Park.

The arboretum at Kilmacurragh, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow, has been managed by the National Botanic Gardens since 1996. It is particularly famous for its conifers and calcifuges and was planted during the 19th Century by Thomas Acton in association with the curators of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. During the early part of the twentieth century the estate passed from the hands of the Acton family and fell into a state of neglect. In 1970 the property was taken over by the land commission. A 58 acre portion comprising the house, arboretum, walled garden and entrance drive-way was handed over to the Forest and Wildlife Service. Coillte still manages the walled gardens and some 20 acres of seed orchards as part of its forest tree genetics programme.

Thomas Acton and his sister Janet began planting the arboretum in 1850. It is said he had a rule of thumb to plant three of every tree or shrub: one to be planted where others told him it would definitely survive, one where he thought it would thrive, and one where he was informed it would definėtely not survive. Alas we do not know of any surviving records as to which was which.

An avenue of Rhododendron arboreum and Irish yews runs from the rear of the house, surrounded by glades of southern hemisphere conifers and many other rhododendron species.

The central block of the house dates from 1697. The two wings were added during the nineteenth century. Disastrous fires in 1978 and 1982 destroyed the roof timbers.

Location:Kilmacurragh Arboretum is located 3km from the N11 road south from Dublin. `
If driving South from Dublin on the N11, you need to turn right at the Beehive pub, which lies c.3 km after the second junction to Rathnew/Wicklow, this is also c.1km South of where the dual carriageway turns to single carriageway.
Keep to the main route, and you will find the entrance on your left after 4 1/2 km.
If driving from the South on the N11, turn left at the Tap Inn (c.13km north of the last Arklow junction). Drive c. 2 1/2 km to a T-junction and turn left. The arboretum is 300m on your left.
If driving from Rathdrum, leave the village on the R752 towards Glenealy. After 5km turn right and after a further 2.5km you will come to a T-junction. Turn right and the arboretum is on your left after c. 1km.
Where are the gardens? - click here for a map
Facilities: Car & coach parking, toilets.
Address: Kilbride, Co. Wicklow
Telephone No (National Botanic Gardens): + 353 1 837 7596/ + 353 1 837 4388/ +353 1 804 0300
Fax No: + 353 1 836 0080

OPENING HOURS

Winter (mid-Nov to mid-Feb)
Mon-Sat 9:00-16:30
Sunday 11:00-16:30

Summer (mid-Feb to mid-Nov)
Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00
Sunday 11:00-18:00

Useful Links: National Botanic Gardens Home Page
Frequently asked questions

	The arboretum at Kilmacurragh, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow, has been managed by the National Botanic Gardens since 1996. It is particularly famous for its conifers and calcifuges and was planted during the 19th Century by Thomas Acton in association with the curators of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. During the early part of the twentieth century the estate passed from the hands of the Acton family and fell into a state of neglect. In 1970 the property was taken over by the land commission. A 58 acre portion comprising the house, arboretum, walled garden and entrance drive-way was handed over to the Forest and Wildlife Service. Coillte still manages the walled gardens and some 20 acres of seed orchards as part of its forest tree genetics programme.
Thomas Acton and his sister Janet began planting the arboretum in 1850. It is said he had a rule of thumb to plant three of every tree or shrub: one to be planted where others told him it would definitely survive, one where he thought it would thrive, and one where he was informed it would definėtely not survive. Alas we do not know of any surviving records as to which was which. An avenue of Rhododendron arboreum and Irish yews runs from the rear of the house, surrounded by glades of southern hemisphere conifers and many other rhododendron species.
	The central block of the house dates from 1697. The two wings were added during the nineteenth century. Disastrous fires in 1978 and 1982 destroyed the roof timbers.
Location:Kilmacurragh Arboretum is located 3km from the N11 road south from Dublin. ` If driving South from Dublin on the N11, you need to turn right at the Beehive pub, which lies c.3 km after the second junction to Rathnew/Wicklow, this is also c.1km South of where the dual carriageway turns to single carriageway. Keep to the main route, and you will find the entrance on your left after 4 1/2 km. If driving from the South on the N11, turn left at the Tap Inn (c.13km north of the last Arklow junction). Drive c. 2 1/2 km to a T-junction and turn left. The arboretum is 300m on your left. If driving from Rathdrum, leave the village on the R752 towards Glenealy. After 5km turn right and after a further 2.5km you will come to a T-junction. Turn right and the arboretum is on your left after c. 1km. Where are the gardens? - click here for a map Facilities: Car & coach parking, toilets. Address: Kilbride, Co. Wicklow Telephone No (National Botanic Gardens): + 353 1 837 7596/ + 353 1 837 4388/ +353 1 804 0300 Fax No: + 353 1 836 0080