MOUNT

CONGREVE

GARDENS

MOUNT CONGREVE

GARDENS

POCKET IRELAND › Place Guides › Mount Congreve Gardens and Country Estate

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Mount Congreve Gardens is a truly special 70-acre horticultural haven in County Waterford with one of the largest private collections of plant species in the world. It’s a masterpiece of scale and botanical diversity and really impressed me when I went both in spring and autumn.

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World-Class Collections

The gardens are home to one of the largest private collections of plants globally, including over 3,000 different trees and shrubs. It is particularly renowned for its staggering variety of Rhododendrons, Magnolias, and Camellias, which create "walls" of colour in peak season.

Follow the Scent

Don't miss the dedicated "Fragrant Walk," especially if you are visiting in winter or early spring. It is designed to ensure that even in the colder months, the air is filled with the perfume of Daphne and Sarcococca.

The Chinese Pagoda

Hidden within an old quarry, this striking architectural folly offers a surprising splash of exoticism amidst the greenery and provides spectacular views when seen from the high paths above.

The Classic Temple

Perched strategically to overlook the River Suir, this temple marks the final resting place of Ambrose and Marjorie Congreve. It offers one of the most poignant views on the estate, framing the river and the distant Woodstown Viking Settlement.

Best Timing

While beautiful year-round, the garden is truly at its zenith from February to May when the magnolias and rhododendrons bloom in waves of pink, white, and red. Autumn is a close second for the fiery palette of its extensive Japanese Maple collection.