National Botanic Gardens News

News and Stories from the National Botanic Gardens

News from the National Botanic Gardens | Irish Botany News | Research Projects Kilmacurragh News

This is a round up of news stories from the National Botanic Gardens. We also run an Irish Botany News page, a Research Projects page and news from the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh.

Phenology – Spring Watch Trail

Phenology – Spring Watch Trail

From hazel Corylus avellana, to oak Quercus robur to blackthorn Prunus spinosa, studying the growth of leaves, flowers and fruit through the seasons from bud burst in spring to leaf fall in autumn can tell us a lot about how our climate is changing. The study of these...

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Events Newsletter

Events Newsletter

Our events newsletter for the coming months is now available to download. National Botanic Gardens Events March April 2023 Please email botanicgardens@opw.ie if you wish to be added to our emailing list and receive our newsletter every two months.    ...

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National Tree Week

National Tree Week

19 - 26 March 2023 National Tree Week is the designated week for tree protection awareness in Ireland, organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte. As members of the Tree Council we are pleased to host the launch of National Tree Week. National Tree Week has...

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International Women’s Day: A.L. Kathleen King exhibit

International Women’s Day: A.L. Kathleen King exhibit

To mark International Women’s Day 2023, we have a small exhibit in the foyer of the Herbarium building celebrating the work of A.L. Kathleen King (1893–1978) who was a leading authority on the study of mosses and liverworts, i.e. bryology, in Ireland for many years....

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Magnolia Week 2023

Magnolia Week 2023

This year ‘Magnolia Week’ is a new event at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Kilmacurragh, running from March 6th to 11th. The week features daily fixtures; the release of videos on our YouTube channel and guided walks highlighting the many magnolias...

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Christmas Flower Arranging

Christmas Flower Arranging

Christmas Flower Arranging: "The Nutcracker" Wednesday 14th December 7.45pm Floral Artist Ali Dietrich tells this seasonal tale through art and craft, inspiring your creativity for the festivities ahead! Wine and mince pie reception 7.00pm. Tickets €20 at Visitor...

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Eco Christmas Craft Market

Eco Christmas Craft Market

Eco Christmas Craft Market, Glasnevin. Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December, from 10am to 4pm.  Our traditional Christmas Craft Market returns to the Gardens. A pinch of Christmas magic will be cast over the stunning surroundings, with over 70 stalls both indoors...

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Halloween at Glasnevin – 23rd October!

Halloween at Glasnevin – 23rd October!

Halloween at Glasnevin is back for 2022! Get ready for lots of plant based spookiness this Halloween, starting with our Harvest Display on Saturday the 22nd of October. This fabulously designed display will showcase not only the diversity of pumpkins, squash and...

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National Tree Day:  Bark Life Trail

National Tree Day: Bark Life Trail

Have you ever looked at a tree’s bark and wondered what it’s for? Well for National Tree Day 2022 follow our Bark Life trail 2022 trail around the gardens to discover some interesting facts about bark and discover the many uses that people around the world have found...

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Sculpture in Context 2022

Sculpture in Context 2022

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin will host the 36th annual Sculpture in Context Exhibition free to the public from 1st September to  7th October inclusive. Bringing together the work of more than 120 artists using a wide range of media, these works of art...

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Coming Soon: National Heritage Week 2022

Coming Soon: National Heritage Week 2022

Join us at the National Botanic Gardens for National Heritage Week 2022 from the 13th to the 21st of August. This year we will have a range of events to choose from, including themed guided tours, bug hotels for Wild Child Day, and various nature based workshops for...

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Hello Spring trail

Hello Spring trail

Visiting the Botanic Gardens and looking for an activity for the kids? Check out this brand new trail and discover the joys of spring. When printing, please print on both sides of the page and then you can fold it into a neat little booklet. Alternatively, pick up a...

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Rhododendron Week 2022

2 – 10 April 2022 Events brought to you by the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland and the Office of Public Works. See botanicgardens.ie/calendar for event details.  https://youtu.be/V_jPipvGpC0 In early April the gardens at Kilmacurragh are marked by the splendour of...

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Decorated Pumpkin Exhibition 2021

Decorated Pumpkin Exhibition 2021

There were an impressive 113 entrants to this year's online Decorated Pumpkin Exhibition. Entrants uploaded photos of their designs on to our Facebook page in the run-up to Halloween. Thank you to all who took part - we had so much fun looking at all your amazingly...

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Outdoor Christmas Craft Market at the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin

Outdoor Christmas Craft Market at the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin

This year, we take our traditional Christmas Craft Market outside into the Gardens. A pinch of Christmas magic will be cast over the stunning surroundings, with twinkling lights and festive atmosphere. Set against the backdrop of our historic glasshouses, you will find over thirty-five stalls featuring an array of sustainable gift ideas, decorative craft, and tasty seasonal treats.

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Self-Guided Biodiversity Trail

Self-Guided Biodiversity Trail

Our Biodiversity Trail is back! Try out this self-guided tour of the Gardens, exploring biodiversity at its best while finding out about the importance and variety of plants and other life in the Gardens. Kids will have great fun finding the stops and answering the...

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Peonies in Bloom, May 2021

Peonies in Bloom, May 2021

If you are visiting the Gardens soon, be sure to take in our Paeonia (peony) collection, which is at its most breath-taking in May and June. The brief flowering period of peonies means that excitement tantamount to that concerning flowering cherries may surround the...

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Blooms in the Breeze: Bluebells

For those of you who cannot make it to the gardens at the moment, a short video of our ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? (Bluebells) blooming in the gardens right now. Featured are a mix of...

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Rhododendron Week Finale

  Our last video story for Rhododendron Week 2021 is with Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director, National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, and Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener, National Botanic Gardens of Ireland Kilmacurragh. Here they...

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Rhododendron Week: Taxonomy Workshop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NshqzfOZ2kI&t=538s   A workshop for Rhododendron Week 2021 with Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Kilmacurragh. Seamus gives an overview of the taxonomy of the genus, using fresh...

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Signs of Spring: Narcissus (daffodil)

Here we celebrate the beauty of one of our most beloved spring flowers. Charlotte, one of our guides, relates the origin myth, uses, and symbolism of Narcissus (daffodils). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnjAlFuxpc0&t=1s

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Dare to be Wild – online talk with Paul Fitters

This live talk took place on 24 March 2021 on Crowdcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsU4pb8LKRs&t=2057s Paul will talk about rewilding programmes and how they benefit flora and fauna. You will also find out what you can do in your own garden to increase...

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Eye on Nature wildlife photography exhibition 2021

Eye on Nature wildlife photography exhibition 2021

RTÉ and the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland with the OPW present Eye on Nature - Ireland's newest national wildlife photographic competition. RTÉ's Mooney Goes Wild and The Today Show launched the competition in January 2021, to celebrate the flora and fauna of...

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New Curator at the National Botanic Gardens

New Curator at the National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens are delighted to welcome Dr. Darach Lupton as the new Curator of the Gardens. Darach was a student at the Gardens from 1995 – 1998; he spent 12 months at the RHS Gardens at Wisley during his placement year in 1996. Finishing at Glasnevin...

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Kids’ Trail: Hello Spring!

Kids’ Trail: Hello Spring!

Visiting the Botanic Gardens and looking for an activity for the kids? Check out this brand new trail and discover the joys of spring. When printing, please print on both sides of the page and then you can fold it into a neat little booklet. Click on this link to see...

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Gardening Shorts from the Children’s Garden

Gardening Shorts from the Children’s Garden

See more videos on our YouTube channel » How to Plant Broad Beans in Newspaper PotsCiara demonstrates how to plant broad bean seeds in eco friendly newspaper pots. Things you will need: broad bean seeds, compost, newspaper or similar paper, glass...

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How to Make a St Brigid’s Cross

How to Make a St Brigid’s Cross

See how to make a traditional St Brigid's Cross using reeds. If you don't have access to reeds you can use alternatives such as willow, straw or paper! Ciara also discusses the pagan origins of Brigid's Day/Imbolg (1st February). See more videos on our YouTube channel...

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Garden Birds in Winter

Garden Birds in Winter

Even the dark clouds of Covid have a silver lining as many of us are spending more time outdoors. It’s good for body and soul and when we get back to running guided tours in the Gardens, you should come along to one of our Biophilia tours and learn a bit about the...

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Online Exhibition: Decorated Pumpkins 2020

Online Exhibition: Decorated Pumpkins 2020

The 2020 Exhibition is Open!     This year for the very first time we changed the format of our very popular Pumpkin decorating competition to an online event. We have been amazed and thoroughly entertained by the very high standard of all the entries and it...

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Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Competition winners!

Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Competition winners!

Announcing the prize-winners of the Decorated Pumpkin Competition 2020!     There were an impressive 321 entrants this year! Congratulations to the following entrants. A One4all voucher will be sent to you once we have received your postal address. Please...

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Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Pumpkins!

Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Pumpkins!

Join the coven again for a look at some of the pumpkins and gourds in the Witches' Garden! Happy Halloween! We hope you have a spooktacular evening We give you a look at pumpkins. Find out where they originate and how to grow your own for next year!     ...

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Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Wand Woods I

Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Wand Woods I

Join the coven for a look at some wand woods! Here's one of our Botanic Witches discussing wands and trees, over in the Witches' Garden.   The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature. The site will remain open over the coming weeks for those...

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Tales from the Viking House: The Tree of Mugna

Tales from the Viking House: The Tree of Mugna

Join the coven by the fire for tales of Ireland's trees and landscapes, at the Viking House, We continue our Magical Plants series with Tales from the Viking House. Today: The Tree of Mugna.   The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature. The...

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Tales from the Viking House: Salmon of Knowledge

Tales from the Viking House: Salmon of Knowledge

Join the coven by the fire for tales of Ireland's trees and landscapes, at the Viking House, We continue our Magical Plants series with Tales from the Viking House. Today: The Salmon of Knowledge.     The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and beauty of...

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‘The Bots’ Newstalk Radio Documentary

‘The Bots’ Newstalk Radio Documentary

(The following is adapted from the Newstalk Radio website) Newstalk aired the ‘The Bots’, in which IMRO-nominated producer Brian Gallagher looks at the lives of those who live, work, study, and relax in the vicinity of Ireland's National Botanic Gardens. Using a...

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Pumpkin Decorating Competition: 2020

Pumpkin Decorating Competition: 2020

For many years we have run the very popular Pumpkin Decorating Competition for Halloween here at the National Botanic Gardens. Sadly, this year we cannot hold the exhibition in the gardens but we can hold an online competition and even more people can enter, so...

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Recruiting Seasonal Guides 2021

Recruiting Seasonal Guides 2021

How about a change of scene, fresh air, and a chance to work at one of Ireland's most iconic and dynamic heritage sites? Recruitment for Seasonal Guides at both of our National Botanic Gardens sites at Glasnevin and Kilmacuragh is now open! See:...

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Self-Guided Biodiversity Trail

Self-Guided Biodiversity Trail

Designed for National Heritage Week and suitable for all of the family! Take part in this self-guided tour of the gardens, exploring biodiversity at its best while finding out about the importance and variety of pollinators all around us....

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Press Release: Aquatic House Complex

Press Release: Aquatic House Complex

OPW commences work to save important buildings at Botanic Gardens with a plan to restore them in the future.     Visitors to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin will have noticed what looks like some building work commencing on site in recent days....

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In Praise of Weeds

In Praise of Weeds

The past few weeks have seen the vast majority of us confined to a much smaller area than usual, and even with a new routine of responsibilities to juggle between home, work and family, it's likely that life has contained more stillness and quiet than we would have...

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Biodiversity Week Challenge!

Biodiversity Week Challenge!

Express your inner artist! Join us this week for our creative Biodiversity Challenge on Facebook » What's it About? Despite how much we have been using our technology over the last few weeks we can’t forget how dependent we are on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for...

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May, the month of International Biodiversity Day

May, the month of International Biodiversity Day

Spring into Summer The days are getting longer and there’s a bit of heat in the sun. Hasn’t time flown despite the lockdown! May is named after Maia, the Greek goddess of fertility and growth whose festival was held in May. The month signifies the changeover from...

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Earth Day 2020 Drawing Challenge

Earth Day 2020 Drawing Challenge

For Earth Day 2020 (22 April 2020), we invited everyone, young and old, to take part in a drawing challenge on Facebook. The theme for the competition was ‘Take care of the Earth and the Earth will take care of you’. We asked you to show us your world, the different...

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Appreciating Nature, all around You!

Appreciating Nature, all around You!

At this time, when we're all stuck at home for most of the day, what we'll really benefit from is getting out into nature to enjoy the fresh air and the wildlife that's all around us; whether that's in our our gardens or during our daily exercise with members of our...

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Gardens in April – Biodiversity in Action

Gardens in April – Biodiversity in Action

It’s the start of April in Ireland and spring is really springing. Lots of colour is appearing in the garden. Rosemary should be in full bloom now and attracting bumblebees. Also out are the beautiful blue forget-me-nots, loved by bees and other insects. You’ll also...

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National Botanic Gardens Kids’ Crossword

National Botanic Gardens Kids’ Crossword

Have a go at our National Botanic Gardens Easter crossword—for kids! It's lots of fun. You'll find a lot of clues related to plants and nature. Download and print: Botanic Gardens Children's Easter Crossword (pdf file)

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National Botanic Gardens Crossword

National Botanic Gardens Crossword

Have a go at our National Botanic Gardens crossword. You'll find a lot of clues related to plants and nature. There is one puzzle and a choice of simple or cryptic clues. Download and print: Botanic Gardens Crossword v1 (pdf file) Find the solution here: Botanic...

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Spring Nature Hunt: Activity Sheet for Kids

Spring Nature Hunt: Activity Sheet for Kids

(Now also: as Gaeilge) We've created a Spring-Themed Nature Hunt to help you and your kids to engage with the outdoors. There is no need for you to go anywhere crowded for this, as you should be able to find most of these things in your own garden or local green...

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Bird Bingo! Activity Sheet

Bird Bingo! Activity Sheet

(Now also as Gaeilge!) Our garden birds are busy building nests and preparing for their young at the moment. What birds can you spot in your own garden or out your window? If you don’t have a home printer don’t worry, you can still play. Just follow the directions in...

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Celebrating a Sustainable Christmas at Glasnevin

Celebrating a Sustainable Christmas at Glasnevin

This year we have more festive events than ever, including a two day Eco Craft Market, concerts, themed tours, and of course visits to Santa Claus. From the beginning of December our festive displays will be up - the giant wreaths and Christmas tree in the Visitor...

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Seasonal Guide Jobs Advertised for 2020

Seasonal Guide Jobs Advertised for 2020

CLOSING DATE THURSDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2019 Ever thought of working at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin or Kilmacurragh? Now is your opportunity to apply for seasonal guide jobs! For details and to apply go to the Office of Public Works website. 

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Sculpture in Context 2019

Sculpture in Context 2019

Now in its 19th year, Sculpture in Context presents a thought-provoking collection of work that bridges the gap between art and nature, organic forms and man-made objects. The beautiful setting of the National Botanic Gardens plays host to an impressive collection of...

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