Woodland garden walks
A labyrinth of paths passes through groves of bamboo, tree ferns, towering eucalyptus and conifers, plus the twisted trunks of the old oaks that give Derreen (little oak wood) its name.
Derreen Garden(Gairdín Derreen)
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About
A 60-acre 19th-century woodland garden on the Beara Peninsula, where winding paths thread through rare subtropical plants and open onto sea and mountain views.
Things to Do
Rare rhododendrons and exotic plants
The garden is famous for its rhododendron collection, with some Arboreum specimens planted in the 1870s now grown to a size rarely seen elsewhere. A major planting programme is adding new rarities.
Sea views and the harbour shore
Set on a peninsula at the head of Kilmackillogue Harbour, the garden offers incomparable views of the sea and the Caha Mountains; paths wind down to the shoreline coves.
Wildlife watching
Sika deer, red squirrels and the occasional Irish hare roam the woods, while seals and otters swim in the harbour. Cormorants, oystercatchers and curlews work the shore, and sea eagles have recently returned.
Find the Derreeny houses
A hit with children: 20 tiny houses of the rare 'Derreenies' (about 2 inches tall, last seen in 1855) were discovered along the walks in 2012 — keep an eye on the rhododendrons.
Lunch at Derreen Café
The garden café serves lunch from the kitchen garden and locally sourced produce, plus tea, coffee and homemade cakes, with seating inside or outside.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Garden open daily 10am-6pm all year round. Café open 11am-5pm, March to November.
- Admission: Adults €12, children €6, family €35
- Parking: Free car park on site.
- Food: Derreen Café: lunch from the kitchen garden, locally sourced produce, tea and coffee, homemade cakes. Open 11am-5pm March to November. Call ahead for groups of more than 10 (083 166 2160).
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