Gardens of earthly pleasure

Take a stroll through Ireland’s majestic gardens with Donal Hickey.

We’re fortunate to have so many splendid gardens in this country, which will shortly be coming into full bloom to be visited by countless thousands. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the south-west has many exotic and native plants growing in profusion for much of the year. The West Cork Gardens Trail alone embraces more than 20 attractions.

Foreign influences are to be seen in some gardens, including those around Bantry House, with the 100 steps fringed by azaleas and rhododendron, and the magical Garinish Island, Glengarriff.