Rathurles Garden

The garden at Rathurles Lodge near Nenagh is privately owned and sits on 1 acre. It consists of lawns, borders, water feature, small berry and herb gardens and a mature orchard, which has a fairy trail for children. Surrounded by rolling farmland, the garden is a quiet haven, which is a short drive from Nenagh, Cloughjordan’s Eco Village and the M7 motorway. To protect wildlife, the garden is maintained with minimal use of weed-killer. The lawns are home to naturalized snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils including narcissus pseudonarcissus. Archways and walls provide support for rosa banksiae "Lutea", clematis armandii , jasmine, deutzia, and honeysuckle. Among the borders, visitors will find fragrant roses, aquilegia, peony, lavender, scented tulips, hyacinth, hostas, Brunnera "Jack Frost", hemerocallis, arum lilies, Muscari armeniacum, Camassia leichtinii, campanula, bergenia, heuchera, geranium, nepeta (catmint), and fritillaria meleagris (Snake’s Head Fritillary). Various ferns, hellbores, digitalis purpurea (Foxglove), skimmia and cyclamen hederifolium can be seen in shady areas. Trees include apple, birch, copper beech, eucalyptus, maple, rowan, ilex aquifolium (Holly), philadelphus, a small araucaria (monkey puzzle) and unusual specimens such as Gingko, a large Gleditsia triacanthos, Cupressus macrocarpa, red horse chestnut, and Parrotia persica. Shrubs include rhododendron, buxus sempervirens, bamboo, sarcococca, laurel, ceanothus, berberis, star magnolia, mahonia, hydrangea, and cornus westonbird. All plants are watered using rainwater collected from the roof. The garden attracts bees and a variety of wild birds including mistle thrush aka storm cock, gold crest, blue tit, finch, and pheasant. It is also home to frogs, hedgehogs and rabbits, which present a gardening challenge! In the Spring naughty fairies sometimes disguise themselves as orphaned lambs, finding their way into the garden. Open from May to September by appointment only. Admission Fees: Adults €4, Children €3 Groups of 10 or more €3pp Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Children: Well-behaved children allowed. Dogs: Dogs on leads allowed. Facilities: None, but plenty of cafes & pubs nearby. Afternoon Tea on request for groups of 10 or more