How a Cork family of garden lovers grew a horticultural haven

Peter Dowdall explores the Annes Grove estate in Castletownroche, Co Cork

The 190-acre historic estate at Annes Grove, Castletownroche, Co Cork. features 30 acres of gardens.

Nestled in the scenic countryside of Co Cork, Annes Grove Gardens stands as a testament to natural beauty and horticultural excellence. Spread across acres of undulating land, on first entering this enchanting paradise I couldn’t help but remember the description that Annes Grove is “a take on the Robinsonian style of garden design”.

The Robinosonian style can be summed up as naturalistic planting where exotic plants are mixed with native and the garden should encourage natural development.