Kilmacurragh
Kilbride
County Wicklow.
Seamus O’Brien the Head Gardener (with whom most of us will be familiar having listened to his lectures on his plant hunting expeditions to the Himalaya and Northern India) will be guiding our visit.
The collections include many interesting and remarkable tree and shrub specimens such as Athrotaxis, Fitzroya, Podocarpus and Saxegothoea from the Southern Hemisphere. Notable broadleaves include Picconia excelsa and Lithocarpus henryi.
An avenue of Irish yews (Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata) and a wonderful collection of Rhododendrons are some of the magnificent specimens making this visit a ‘must’
Although this is listed as a Northern Region visit, it is, like all visits, open to Members from all regions and would be a fitting climax to a year of interesting outings.
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE RE DIRECTIONS:
Because of the opening of new roads in the area it is necessary to approach Kilmacurragh in the following manner:
Drive southbound on the M11, passing the junction for Ashford/Mount Usher.Continuing south they will see a massive sign for NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KILMACURRAGH, next left.
Turn left.
This takes them down the old N11 by the BEEHIVE PUB.
Opposite the BEEHIVE PUB, turn RIGHT.
Drive straight through the two new roundabouts, following the FLOWER SYMBOLS on the direction signs.
Drive straight ahead for 2.5 miles.
Estate gates are on Left-HAND side.