Gardens at Birr Castle Demesne
"In the Heart of Ireland, a green jewel of world renown." – Eliana Ferioli, Great Gardens of Europe
Birr Castle Demesne is one of the great gardens of Ireland, boasting one of the most historic landscapes in the country. It is home to an internationally important collection of plants, built up over the course of the twentieth century by the last three Earls of Rosse.
The 6th Earl began the great collection of magnolias, discovering that, although the garden is mostly on limey soil, magnolias grow particularly well here, especially in the River Garden. On his honeymoon, after his marriage to Anne Messell from Nymans Garden in Sussex, they visited China, where they made contact with Professor Hu of the Fan Institute of Biology in Beijing and subscribed to Chinese plant-hunting expeditions.
Explore the Gardens
Several plants and trees within the gardens and parklands are named in honor of members of the Parsons family, including the tree peony Paeonia ‘Anne Rosse’, which was cultivated at Nymans, the former home of the late Anne, Countess of Rosse. Other notable specimens include magnolias like Magnolia ‘Leonard Messell’, adding to the rich legacy of the family’s botanical contributions.
Many rare species from all over the world will grow here in Ireland and experts are amazed and surprised at the great geographical range of trees that we can grow.
We have broken the gardens into four key zones set within the 120 acres of parklands:
Formal Gardens
Located close to the Camellia Walk, you will find the romantic hornbeam cloister arches on the upper terrace of the Formal Gardens. These were planted by Anne, Countess of Rosse, in 1936 to celebrate her marriage to Michael, 6th Earl of Rosse. Each winter, we still celebrate the arrival of the snowdrops planted around the bottom of the cloister, just as they were by the Countess all those years ago.
On the upper terraces, tucked away in an intimate courtyard, is a pergola with a spectacular wisteria, which usually bursts into bloom around mid to late May. In these terraces, you will also find the Peony ‘Anne Rosse’ and two benches carved to celebrate the marriage of the 6th Count and Countess of Rosse. Running along the front of the greenhouse and near the garden statues, you'll find a collection of old roses and delphinium borders.
River Garden
Formerly a private garden of the Parsons family, it is located on the far side of the River Camcor and accessible via the 1911 bridge. Within this space, you will find St. Brendan’s Well, a sacred site that dates back to the 6th century and is associated with St. Brendan, the famous Irish saint and explorer. The well, a place of pilgrimage for centuries, is believed to have healing properties, particularly for ailments related to the eyes. In addition to this historical feature, the garden is home to an array of maples and magnolias, along with the majestic Monterey cypress and a Himalayan juniper, which is a champion tree.
Castle Terraces
Here you will get the best views of the castle as you reach the terraces along the Motte Walk. In summer, they are a blaze of color, full of a wide range of herbaceous plants selected by Lady Rosse. From here, you can look down over the River Camcor and view the 1820 suspension bridge, as well as the River Garden, where you can find St. Brendan’s Well.
One of the most wonderful plants you will find on the castle terraces is Magnolia delavayi, planted around 1912 by the 5th Earl of Rosse. The flower of this plant is simply stunning and has been a favorite subject for leading botanical artists.
Fernery Garden
The Fernery Waterfall Garden, created in the 1880s, is a tranquil oasis where a beautiful waterfall cascades over moss-covered stones, creating a serene atmosphere. Surrounded by ferns and other plants that thrive in the cool, damp environment, this garden offers a glimpse into a vibrant, hidden world. The cascading water, paired with the dense greenery, creates a perfect microclimate. Refurbished in 2024, this peaceful retreat invites visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, where the charm of the past meets modern restoration.
