Leighlinbridge, winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Town in 2015, enjoys a range of gardens built and designed by the local community to commemorate various aspects of village life over the years. This Irish garden includes the Millennium Garden, seven small individual gardens, each with its own theme represented by trees, shrubs and stones. The Vivaldi Garden is based on Vivaldi’s musical concerto The Four Seasons while the Garden of Remembrance commemorates important occasions in the history of the village. These include the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister, Ireland’s first all county World War 1 memorial and the Entente Floral Gold Medal Award – with the addition of a new footpath in 2015 this garden is now accessible all year round and suitable for wheelchair users.
The Sculpture Garden is dedicated to three of Leighlinbridge’s most famous sons – Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran, John Tyndall, the mountaineer and scientist and Captain Myles Keogh, second in command to General Custer.
FACILITIES: Restaurants, award-winning Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, hotel, public houses, castle, historic buildings, angling, walking routes, picnic site.
HOW TO FIND US: From Dublin/Waterford take exit 6 on M9 motorway and follow signs for Leinglinbridge which is clearly signposted off the R448, 3km from here. Alternatively, visitors travelling from Carlow Town should follow the R448.
GPS: 52.735586, – 6.973691
OPENING TIMES: Daylight hours. Free admission.