Killruddery was established in 16l8. The home of the Earl of Meath, the gardens were designed in 1684 by Monsieur Bonet, who was inspired by King Louis XIV's garden designer, Andre Le Notre, at Versailles. Return to hotel for dinner. After breakfast we travel to Dublin to spend the day. Her garden of hundreds of plants is grown on just under one acre of land.
Lunch is in Dublin.
We will travel in the afternoon to visit Malahide Castle which was founded in Norman times and for 800 years was the seat of the Talbot family. Today the medieval Great Hall is used for state banquets. After breakfast we travel to Valclusa, a private 4 acre garden. The house dates back to around 1830, but the gardens were re-done much later. There are particularly good collections of old shrub roses, perennial geraniums and hostas.