Laid out between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru, these are the finest Japanese gardens of their kind in Europe — a garden that maps the "Life of Man" onto paths, rock and water, set inside a working thoroughbred stud farm.
The working thoroughbred farm is the heart of the estate. Over 300 foals are born here between February and May, the stallion roster has included world-class names such as Invincible Spirit, and the Living Legends paddock is home to retired champions including Sizing John, Beef or Salmon, Hurricane Fly and Faugheen.
An immersive indoor exhibition included in your admission, with a time slot you must pre-book to guarantee entry. Follow the thoroughbred story from the world's first steeplechase, train your own horse, choose racing colours, test yourself in the commentary box and ride the big race — visitors aged 8 and over can take part.
The centrepiece: gardens laid out between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru to symbolise the 'Life of Man'. Paths, rocks, water and planting trace a soul from oblivion to eternity, evoking birth, childhood, marriage, parenthood, old age, death and the afterlife in a seamless blend of Eastern and Western culture.
Designed in 1999 by landscape architect Professor Martin Hallinan, this companion garden honours St Fiachra, patron saint of gardeners, and celebrates Ireland's landscape in its rawest state — woodland, wetland, waterfalls, lakes and streams, fissured limestone monastic cells and a subterranean garden of crystal-shaped rocks, ferns and orchids.
A guided tour is included with every admission ticket and runs at set times that change with the season, from 10:30 and 14:00 in winter up to six departures a day in midsummer. Allow two to three hours for the whole visit to include the self-guided Japanese and St Fiachra's gardens.
Families can follow the Fairy Trail through the woods past more than 20 fairies to the Buglington Hotel, a shelter built for insects, then let off steam in the playground with swings, slides and climbing frames. Picnic facilities sit alongside.
Under new management, the restaurant serves brunch until 11.45am — full Irish, eggs Benedict, shakshuka, French toast — and lunches such as Korean chicken burger, fish and chips and Caesar salad, with freshly baked breads, scones, desserts and cakes. Sandwiches, salads and wraps are made to order, and the Pavilion café serves treats in summer.
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