Take a stroll through Ireland's heritage gardens

Kya deLongchamps encourages a wide-eyed spring ramble around three of the many heritage gardens of Ireland.

The weather is growing balmy if not entirely dry, but don’t let the blasted drizzle defeat an early visit to one of Ireland’s horticultural fantasies.

The aristocratic pleasure grounds of Fota in the care of the Irish Heritage Trust, are some of the most atmospheric, accessible and beautiful in the country. The individual gardens with their distinct character, and extensive parkland surrounding any great house are integral to seeing it at the centre of an idealised landscape and ‘as was’.