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Upcoming Events, Exhibitions and Talks at the Gardens
Last updated: 19th April 2013
The calendar to the right will help you navigate around the many events we have - if you hover your mouse over an orange date
it will show you what events are on that day, and a further click will give you the full details.
As well as the full schedule, there are sections to show you details for:
Exhibitions
Ireland's presidency of the European Council means that the exhibition gallery will not be available until the end of June.
From July onwards, however, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a number of exciting exhibitions. These will include a fabulous exhibition by the Irish Patchwork Association, the annual An Óige photographic exhibition, and the 10th anniversary celebrations of Feltmakers Ireland.
Lectures, Tours & Other Events
Budding Artists
Art Classes for 4-7 year olds
Saturday 20th April
Join our new 'budding' artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the watchful eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds
Time: 11.00am-12.30pm
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Hardy Annuals
Art Classes for 8-12 year olds
Saturday 20th April
Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world, where you can observe, engage and be inspired by your surrounding. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin.
Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm.
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Kilmacurragh Guided Tour: Rhododendron Walks
Saturday 20th April
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Guided Walk: Fascinating Plants
Sunday 21st April
How do plants survive in the desert? Which plants trap their own food? Why do trees have thorns? What's the fastest growing plant in the world? Come along and find out all the answers and much more.
Time: 2.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Kilmacurragh Guided Tour: Rhododendron Walks
Sunday 21st April
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Dublin Orchid Fair
Saturday 27th Sunday 28th April
A wide variety of orchids will be on display during the annual Dublin orchid fair, which is being held in the conservatory this year. This event is of interest to both beginner and accomplished growers and will provide an opportunity to source orchids, sundries and books. As part of the fair there will be talks on growing orchids and a tour of the Glasnevin orchid collection.
Times 10.00am-5.00pm. Entry Free
Gardening Workshop: 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme…'
Saturday 27th April
Get some top-tips from our garden expert on how to plan out your herb garden. Some herbs are annuals and some are perennials; find out how to grow a range of herbs successfully in your own garden.
Time: 11.00am. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Kilmacurragh Guided Tour: Rhododendron Walks
Saturday 27th April
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Kilmacurragh Guided Tour: Rhododendron Walks
Sunday 28th April
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Kilmacurragh Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 4th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Guided Walk: Blossoms from the Orient
Sunday 5th May
Many of our common garden plants are Chinese in origin. May is the best time of the year to see Peonies, the Handkerchief Tree, Wisteria and many others in full bloom. Come and see the Chinese plants at their best!
Time: 2.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Drawing Workshop
Thursday 9th May
The Drawing Workshop invites enthusiastic lovers of Nature and Art to explore the diversity of the natural forms in The National Botanic Gardens using dry media such as pencil, charcoal and pastel. This workshop is suited to beginners and improvers practicing a variety of techniques that will increase your observation and technical skills in drawing.
Time: 10.30am-1.00pm.
Cost: €25. For bookings contact Anne at 086 8301713.
Family event: Garden Bird Safari
Glynn Anderson
Saturday 11th May
Join author and Botanic Gardens guide Glynn Anderson for a guided bird walk. Come and discover what birds are here, bring binoculars if you have them and see what you can discover.
Time 10.00am.
Admission free but booking essential.
Download booking form..
Gardening Workshop: Growing Summer Salads
Saturday 11th May
Regardless of the size of your garden, from window boxes to large plots, there is always a space for a wide variety of tasty salad crops. Join the National Botanic Gardens organic gardening crew and find out how you can grow delicious and succulent salads all summer long while being kind to the environment too.
Time: 11.00am. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Kilmacurragh Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 11th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Guided Walk: Blossoms from the Orient
Sunday 12th May
Many of our common garden plants are Chinese in origin. May is the best time of the year to see Peonies, the Handkerchief Tree, Wisteria and many others in full bloom. Come and see the Chinese plants at their best!
Time: 2.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Lecture: Be Brave with Bulbs - Imaginative use of bulbs in the garden
Paul Fitters
Wednesday 15th May
Dr Paul Fitters is a lecturer in the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens and originally from the Netherlands. His talk will be about how bulbs are used creatively around the world from the famous 'Keukenhof' in the Netherlands to James Joyce's head in the National Botanic Gardens
Time: 3.00pm. Education and Visitor Centre
In Celebration of Fascination of Plants Day
Workshop: Budding Botanists Flower Pressing Workshop!
Saturday 18th May
Kids! Get great tips from the experts and you too can be a plant collector. Join us on an expedition through the gardens identifying and collecting suitable plants for pressing before constructing your own flower press, and starting your very own dried plant collection.
Time: 11.00am.
Admission free but booking essential.
Download booking form..
Guided Walk: Fascinating Plants!
Saturday 18th May
Plants have always supported a huge part of the world's economy. From the humble potato to the exotic vanilla pod. Find out the intriguing history of tea and why we have goats to thank for our morning coffee! Learn about the world's largest herb and discover which tropical plant makes cheddar cheese orange and lipstick red!
Time: 2.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Kilmacurragh Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 18th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Guided Walk: Blossoms from the Orient
Sunday 19th May
Many of our common garden plants are Chinese in origin. May is the best time of the year to see Peonies, the Handkerchief Tree, Wisteria and many others in full bloom. Come and see the Chinese plants at their best!
Time: 2.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Pond dipping
Saturday 25th May
A fun event exploring the weird and wonderful diversity of insects and minibeasts living in and around the pond at the botanic gardens. This workshop is suitable from age 8 upwards.
Time: 11.00am.
Admission Free. Advance booking essential. Organised with the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club
Download booking form..
Budding Artists
Art Classes for 4-7 year olds
Saturday 25th May
Join our new 'budding' artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the watchful eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds
Time: 11.00am-12.30pm
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Hardy Annuals
Art Classes for 8-12 year olds
Saturday 25th May
Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world, where you can observe, engage and be inspired by your surrounding. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin.
Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm.
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Kilmacurragh Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 25th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Meet in Kilmacurragh car park
Guided Walk: Blossoms from the Orient
Sunday 26th May
Many of our common garden plants are Chinese in origin. May is the best time of the year to see Peonies, the Handkerchief Tree, Wisteria and many others in full bloom. Come and see the Chinese plants at their best!
Time: 2.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Workshop: Beginners Photography Workshop (day 1)
by Eamon O'Daly of the Outdoor Studio
Tuesday 4th June
The 3 day workshop will cover all the basics of Digital Photography, how to understand your camera and take better and more creative photographs. There will be a good balance between indoor tuition and outdoor photo-shoot opportunities, with an emphasis on landscape and nature photography.
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm
Cost: €100. Book online at www.skerriesphotography.com. For further information email eamon@skerriesphotography.com or call 01 8492572
Lecture: South Pacific Island Surveys 2000-2012
Howard Fox & Maria Cullon
Wednesday 5th June
Experiences of botanical and geological surveys of four islands of the South pacific.This lecture will be illustrated by stunning landscapes, seascapes and cloudscapes of this beautiful and scenic region.
Time: 3.00pm, Education and Visitor Centre.
Workshop: Beginners Photography Workshop (day 2)
by Eamon O'Daly of the Outdoor Studio
Tuesday 11th June
Day 2 of the workshop.
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm
Guided Walk: Wrong Plant, Wrong Place: a guided walk identifying plants that can become invasive in your garden
Wednesday 12th June
When gardening today we have to be careful of the types of plants we grow. Many cultivated plants escape from our gardens, become too vigorous in the wild, invade plant habitats and threaten native plant species.
Time: 3.00pm, meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Drawing Workshop
Thursday 13th June
The Drawing Workshop invites enthusiastic lovers of Nature and Art to explore the diversity of the natural forms in The National Botanic Gardens using dry media such as pencil, charcoal and pastel. This workshop is suited to beginners and improvers practicing a variety of techniques that will increase your observation and technical skills in drawing.
Time: 10.30am-1.00pm.
Cost: €25. For bookings contact Anne at 086 8301713.
Budding Artists
Art Classes for 4-7 year olds
Saturday 15th June
Join our new 'budding' artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the watchful eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds
Time: 11.00am-12.30pm
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Hardy Annuals
Art Classes for 8-12 year olds
Saturday 15th June
Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world, where you can observe, engage and be inspired by your surrounding. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin.
Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm.
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Workshop: Beginners Photography Workshop (day 3)
by Eamon O'Daly of the Outdoor Studio
Tuesday 18th June
Day 3 of the workshop.
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm
Workshop: Identifying Irish Butterflies
Dr Eugenie Regan, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Wednesday 19th June
An introduction to butterfly identification and recording in Ireland aimed at beginners and established recorders. The schedule will include a presentation on Irish butterflies, a walk introducing participants to identifying and recording butterflies in the field and a follow up discussion.
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Places are limited and bookings can be made online at http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/event-registration/.
Pond dipping
Saturday 22nd June
A fun event exploring the weird and wonderful diversity of insects and minibeasts living in and around the pond at the botanic gardens. This workshop is suitable from age 8 upwards.
Time: 11.00am.
Admission Free. Advance booking essential. Organised with the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club
Download booking form..
Workshop: Budding Botanists Flower Pressing Workshop!
Saturday 29th June
Kids! Get great tips from the experts and you too can be a plant collector. Join us on an expedition through the gardens identifying and collecting suitable plants for pressing before constructing your own flower press, and starting your very own dried plant collection.
Time: 11.00am.
Admission free but booking essential.
Download booking form..
Irish Botany Course
Tuesday 9th September
From Tuesday 9th September evening classes on Irish Botany for beginners commences. The course will include evening classes (7.30-9.00pm), which will comprise a talk followed by a practical session spent learning the skills of plant identification and a full Saturday (10.30am-3.00pm). The course is offered at a cost of €100. Proceeds to the Irish Museums Trust. Bookings now being taken.
Time: 7.30-9.00pm
Cost: €100. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Events at the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh
Free Guided Tours held twice daily from April onwards at 12.00pm and 3.00pm.
Participants should meet at the car park for all Kilmacurragh Arboretum events. All events are free but booking is advisable as places are limited.
Group tours must be booked.
Bookings or enquiries by telephone Jan – March: 01 8570909. April onwards 0404 48844
Guided Walk: Remarkable Trees of Kilmacurragh
Sunday 10th March
In celebration of National Tree Week a special guided tour will be presented looking at the remarkable trees from this historic plant collection and exploring the many recent exciting additions the gardens.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Guided Tour: Rhododendron Walk
Sundays in March
Saturdays and Sundays in April
Guided tours starting back earlier this year! Come and enjoy our Spring tree walks as the beautiful rhododendron blossoms emerge.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Family event: Garden Bird Safari
Saturday 6th April
Join author and Botanic Gardens guide Glynn Anderson for a guided bird walk. Come and discover what birds are here, bring binoculars if you have them and see what you can discover.
Time 11.00 am. Admission free but booking essential.
Download booking form..
Trail: Noticing nature: Explorer Trail for kids
From May onwards
Challenge your kids to complete the explorer trail. Collect your map and trail from the notice board at the entrance.
Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 4th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 11th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 18th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Guided Walk: Learn about Meadows
Saturday 25th May
Discover the joy of strolling through the meadows and the interesting plants that occur during the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm. Free of charge
Events for Children
Budding Artists
Art Classes for Children
Saturdays 26th January, 23rd February, 23rd March, 20th April, 25th May, 15th June
Join our new 'budding' artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the watchful eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds
Time: 11.00am-12.30pm
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Hardy Annuals
Saturdays 26th January, 23rd February, 23rd March, 20th April, 25th May, 15th June
Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world, where you can observe, engage and be inspired by your surrounding. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin.
Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm.
Cost: €10 Advance Booking Essential
Download booking form..
Family event: Garden Bird Safari
Saturday 13th April and Saturday 11th May
Join author and Botanic Gardens guide Glynn Anderson for a guided bird walk. Come and discover what birds are here, bring binoculars if you have them and see what you can discover.
Time: 10.00am
Admission free but booking essential.
Download booking form..
Workshop: Budding Botanists Flower Pressing Workshop!
Saturday 18th May and Saturday 29th June
Kids! Get great tips from the experts and you too can be a plant collector. Join us on an expedition through the gardens identifying and collecting suitable plants for pressing before constructing your own flower press, and starting your very own dried plant collection.
Time: 11.00am.
Admission free but booking essential.
Download booking form..
Pond dipping
Saturday 25th May and Saturday 22nd June
A fun event exploring the weird and wonderful diversity of insects and minibeasts living in and around the pond at the botanic gardens. This workshop is suitable from age 8 upwards.
Time: 11.00am.
Admission Free. Advance booking essential. Organised with the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club
Download booking form..
Education workshops for schools
Special themed guided tours are available for primary and secondary school groups -
Fascinating Plants - How do plants survive in the desert? What plants trap their own food? Why do trees have thorns? What's the fastest growing plant in the world? Find out the answers to these questions and view some amazing plants growing here in the Ga
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Learning the Links - exploring the interdependence between plants, animals and people.
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‘Ireland’s Own’ Learn about the uses, mythology and identification of plants on your doorstep.
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‘Plants and Us’ – Learn all about plants and the role they play in our lives.
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‘All Around the World in 50 minutes’ From the mighty Giant Redwood to the native Ash tree, join us on a geographical / botanical exploration of plants from around the world growing at the National Botanic Gardens.
Sustainability workshops for second level.
Sustainability - What's That?
This workshop is designed for second level students, exploring and developing the principles of sustainability, biodiversity, plant conservation and the importance of plants in our lives. It includes presentations, tours and discussion. The education team at the National Botanic Gardens has developed this programme. It is cross-curricular in emphasis covering aspects from the Geography, Science and CSPE curriculum.
All education workshops must be booked in advance. For further details please phone 01 857 0909.
Garden Workshops
Workshop: Beginners Photography Workshop
by Eamon O'Daly of the Outdoor Studio
Monday 11th, 18th and 25th February
The 3 day workshop will cover all the basics of Digital Photography, how to understand your camera and take better and more creative photographs. There will be a good balance between indoor tuition and outdoor photo-shoot opportunities, with an emphasis on landscape and nature photography.
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €100. Book online at www.skerriesphotography.com. For further information email eamon@skerriesphotography.com or call 01 8492572
Gardening Workshop: Grow your own Organic Vegetables
Saturday 9th March
Learn about growing vegetables organically from the professional gardening staff of the National Botanic Gardens. Our garden expert will have lots of practical tips on growing your own vegetables. You will get practical advice on how to be an environmentally friendly gardener and on how to get the best results from your garden, regardless of how small it is.
Time: 11.00am.
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Gardening Workshop: Planting for Allotments
Saturday 23rd March
More and more people are growing their own food in their own gardens, windowsills or on allotments. This workshop will give you advice and support on the best vegetables and herbs to plant in your allotment covering companion planting, organic growing and composting.
Time: 11.00am. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Drawing Workshop
Thursday 11th April
The Drawing Workshop invites enthusiastic lovers of Nature and Art to explore the diversity of the natural forms in The National Botanic Gardens using dry media such as pencil, charcoal and pastel. This workshop is suited to beginners and improvers practicing a variety of techniques that will increase your observation and technical skills in drawing.
Time: 10.30am-1.00pm.
Cost: €25. For bookings contact Anne at 086 8301713.
Gardening Workshop: Grow Your Own Grub
Saturday 13th April
Calling all beginner gardeners! April is a great time to get started on your kitchen garden. Join our expert gardeners and learn how to grow your own organic fruit and vegetables.
Time: 11.00am. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Gardening Workshop: 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme…'
Saturday 27th April
Get some top-tips from our garden expert on how to plan out your herb garden. Some herbs are annuals and some are perennials; find out how to grow a range of herbs successfully in your own garden.
Time: 11.00am. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Gardening Workshop: Growing Summer Salads
Saturday 11th May
Regardless of the size of your garden, from window boxes to large plots, there is always a space for a wide variety of tasty salad crops. Join the National Botanic Gardens organic gardening crew and find out how you can grow delicious and succulent salads all summer long while being kind to the environment too.
Time: 11.00am. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museums Trust.
Download booking form..
Workshop: Beginners Photography Workshop
by Eamon O'Daly of the Outdoor Studio
Tuesday 4th, 11th and 18th June
The 3 day workshop will cover all the basics of Digital Photography, how to understand your camera and take better and more creative photographs. There will be a good balance between indoor tuition and outdoor photo-shoot opportunities, with an emphasis on landscape and nature photography.
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm
Cost: €100. Book online at www.skerriesphotography.com. For further information email eamon@skerriesphotography.com or call 01 8492572
Drawing Workshop
Thursday 13th June
The Drawing Workshop invites enthusiastic lovers of Nature and Art to explore the diversity of the natural forms in The National Botanic Gardens using dry media such as pencil, charcoal and pastel. This workshop is suited to beginners and improvers practicing a variety of techniques that will increase your observation and technical skills in drawing.
Time: 10.30am-1.00pm.
Cost: €25. For bookings contact Anne at 086 8301713.
Workshop: Identifying Irish Butterflies
Dr Eugenie Regan, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Wednesday 19th June
An introduction to butterfly identification and recording in Ireland aimed at beginners and established recorders. The schedule will include a presentation on Irish butterflies, a walk introducing participants to identifying and recording butterflies in the field and a follow up discussion.
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Places are limited and bookings can be made online at http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/home-page/event-registration/.
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