Garden Digest: What to do now to boost your room outside

We check out the garden visits, tours, fairs and online resources available now and in coming weeks

On Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23, Innishannon will host its sixth Gardens and Galleries. This year, 12 gardens and six art exhibitions will be on show with some venues hosting both. Cor Castle and the restored gardens of what was once The Old Riverbank Hotel, now a private residence, will be open. Minibuses courtesy of Local Link will link venues. Come to the Innishannon Parish Hall where it all begins.

The Garden of Gertie and Maurice O’Donoghue at Dromboy, Carrignavar T34 HK37, will open tomorrow, Sunday, July 16, from 2pm to 6pm in aid of Marymount Hospice. It includes a sculpture trail and plant sale. The garden will be signposted from the Cork-Mallow Road (N20) at Rathduff and from Carrignavar Village.

The Owenabue Garden and Flower Club, Carrigaline, will host an evening garden walk with refreshments at Rosarie and Oliver O’Leary’s Garden, Reagrove, Minane Bridge, Co Cork, P17 X379, on Monday, July 24, at 7.30pm. Meet at the band hall beside the grotto/church in Carrigaline at 7pm, or the Church car park in Minane Bridge at 7.15pm to carpool and get directions. Entry €7 each.

The gardening paradise of County Carlow opens its garden and castle gates for the Carlow Garden Festival. This annual festival, organised by Carlow Garden Trail, takes place from Saturday, July 29, until Saturday, August 5. Now in its 21st year, this week-long event will see 18 acclaimed gardeners and garden designers from Ireland and the UK deliver an inviting range of events that includes specialist talks, garden tours and workshops. Long-table suppers, afternoon tea and evening meals along the Carlow Garden Trail are part of this mouth-watering mix. For information and booking see www.carlowgardentrail.com.

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