Dublin Private Gardens Getaway
June 10 - 13, 2024
Join Huron Tours as we travel to the vibrant city of Dublin, Ireland to experience creations by the most legendary names in Irish gardening. This exclusive tour will offer unparalleled insight into the historical and cultural significance of gardening in Ireland and is an intimate garden travel experience you won't want to miss.
We were asked so many time during our 2021 and 2022 Ireland tours - "How did you find this garden?" We agree that we are so lucky to make these visits on this itinerary. These gardens are true expressions of their creator's vision and interests. We really get to interact with the owners while we visit, and can learn a lot to use in our own spaces. As an example: Nuala Doherty and Connal O'Caoimh of Ardán garden shared with us their re-imagined pathways because they started taking out grass to make more room for plantings.
In our usual Huron style we’ve included many special events and wonderful dining experiences in addition to the gorgeous gardens.
This small Group tour will be accompanied by our exceptional guide Josephine as well as two full time Huron tours tour managers to make sure every second of this luxury tour runs smoothly.
Please review the details below and consider joining us on this memorable garden adventure. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions - the people you speak with on the phone will be on the tour with you.
Happy Travels! - Katie and John Kosta
Monday, June 10
Dublin Airport arrival, private transfer to the Conrad Dublin Hotel, welcome dinner reception
Arrival at Dublin Airport (DUB) and meet your private driver for your transfer to the perfectly located 5 Star Conrad Dublin hotel. Just steps from two of Dublin’s most beautiful parks plus the best shopping, cultural sites and restaurants. Rooms at the Conrad are spacious with comfy beds, nightly turn-down service and luxurious bathrooms. You' ll surely love the hotel's buzzing mezzanine Champagne bar and brasserie.
With Dublin right at your doorstep, you'll want to waste no time setting out to explore. Our local guide will have plenty of wonderful suggestions when she welcomes you to the hotel.
This evening we’ll celebrate our arrival with a private welcome dinner reception in the hotel's lovely Iveagh Suite.
(Meals on flight, welcome dinner included)
An Eye on Dublin
The Vikings were the first to establish a settlement here in the 9th century along the River Liffey, naming it Dubh Linn (Black Pool). One thousand years later it became home to famed authors James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, and Samuel Beckett, known worldwide for their cultural contributions. Blessed with gorgeous Georgian architecture, world-class museums, libraries, and public parks, and several Michelin-starred restaurants, the city is fueled by the ever-endearing Gaelic trait of craic (crack)—a hodgepodge of innate humor and all-around appreciation of fun.
Tuesday, June 11
County Wicklow to June Blake's garden, Jimi Blake's garden, Powerscourt
Lupines in June's garden
Wicklow day! Lovingly known as “the garden of Ireland” County Wicklow is located on the country’s east coast and is one of its most beautiful areas in all of Ireland with rolling mountains, pristine beaches and numerous garden jewels.
We begin today at June Blake’s private garden. Ms. Blake is a passionate plantswoman who has devoted her time to creating an exciting, experimental and contemporary garden. It is set in the grounds of an early Victorian steward’s house surrounded by mature trees and meadows. The gardens cover approximately three acres and contain an eclectic collection of plants from around the world. Areas of bold herbaceous planting mix with a shade garden of ferns, grasses, bamboos and other choice woodland plants. June’s tour of her marvelous garden was one of the highlights of Huron’s 2022 travels!
Jimi Blake at Hunting Brook garden
Across from the Blake’s family farm is another wonderful private garden, Hunting Brook, run by June’s brother Jimi Blake. Jimi is becoming quite well known and will host us for a very special visit.
Jimi has spent 25 years collecting the most interesting plants he could find. At Hunting Brook these come together in a unique fusion of funky foliage, perennial, and woodland styles to make a flamboyant, surprising, experimental garden overflowing with ideas for enthusiastic gardeners.
We’ll follow these private garden visits with an afternoon drive across the beautiful Wicklow mountains. We’ll continue into Ashford to visit breathtaking Powerscourt, one of the world’s greatest gardens. With the Sugarloaf Mountains as its backdrop, Powerscourt offers a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary, ornamental lakes with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs.
Be sure to consult our Dublin dining guide to help plan your free evening. Katie lived in Dublin for a time and still has several favorites restaurants she'd love to tell you all about!
(Breakfast included)
Wednesday, June 12
National Botanical Garden, Ardán garden
Poppies and Dancing Hares at Ardan
Our morning begins with a private tour of the amazing National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. The jewel in the gardens’ crown is a set of exquisitely restored and planted historic glasshouses. They are also noted for their fine plant collections which hold more than 15,000 plant species from around the world.
Next, after lunch at your leisure, we’ll visit the private Ardán Garden tucked into a location impossible to find on your own, on the stunning coastal hillside of beautiful Howth.
Ardan is a dynamic contemporary and ever- evolving garden which includes an eclectic botanical collection artistically arranged. The passion and skill of the utterly charming owners, Nuala and Conall, are evident in the variety of planting areas including large densely planted herbaceous areas, a white garden, an exotic garden with a pond and bog garden, a vegetable garden, a small woodland and a natural rocky outcrop. Of significant importance, Ardan is gardened organically and is a member of the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere.
After our return to the hotel this evening we’ll toast our time in Dublin and our memorable garden adventures with a private evening at Number 25 Fitzwilliam Place situated on Dublin’s most elegant street, the famous ‘Georgian Mile’. Fitzwilliam Place’s long legacy has taken it from historical family home to exclusive private venue, all while maintaining its common threads of warmth, welcome and sociability. This is one of Huron's favorite evenings all year!
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Ardan Garden
Arden is a direct result of personal artistry, planning, design and expression, and lots of hard work. You can't help but be inspired. Following Huron's 2022 visit to Ardan garden they posted on Instagram:
"If you wonder about opening your garden, go for it. Visitors are so encouraging and appreciative of your work, and it is always a positive experience. We learn so much from visitors, gain such great encouragement and build a network of gardeners."
The feeling is mutual!
Take some time to relax and appreciate Ardan Garden, and Ireland
Thursday, June 13
Departures
We know you'll leave Dublin with cherished memories of these amazing Irish gardeners and their unforgettable garden masterpieces.
Your private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby for your transfer to Dublin airport. Or, why not join us in Scotland for another great garden tour (see our website for details)?
(Breakfast and dinner included)
There’s so much to do in Dublin you'll want to consider adding a few extra days.
Here Are A Few of Our Top Recommendations:
- ~ Visit the Guinness Storehouse, the headquarters of Ireland's most famous beer
- ~ Stroll St. Stephen’s Green, the exquisitely manicured park just steps from our hotel dating back to Victorian Ireland
- ~ See the Old Library of Trinity College with two levels of floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves packed with books. Established in the early 18th century, this is a book lover's paradise
- ~ Visit The Book of Kells, Trinity’s Exquisite illuminated manuscript, the most important piece of art from the Dark Ages
- ~ Tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest cathedral and the headquarters of the Church of Ireland. The massive structure is impressively, overwhelming ornate, with intricate tiled floors, vaulted ceilings, grand graystone turrets, and multicolored stained-glass windows
- ~ Peruse Grafton Street, Dublin's car-free, cobblestoned main pedestrian shopping area. Known for its famous buskers who give wonderful live-music performances, you’d be hard pressed to find a more charming shopping experience
- ~ Experience The National Gallery of Ireland, a fine collection of top Irish painters and European masters
A $1,000 per person deposit will hold your space. Please use the link above or below to access our online shopping cart. If you'd like to reserve over the phone, we'd be happy to talk to you and can be reached at either (504) 267-2057 or (800) 734-1192.
