Club Outing – Altamont Gardens & Duckett’s Grove
All members intending to attend must register for the outing at the bottom of this page. They will receive an email to confirm their registration.
KNOWN as the most romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont is an enchanting blend of formal and informal gardens located on a 100-acre estate. Whilst still little known, it ranks in the top ten of Irish gardens and is often referred to as ‘the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown’.
LAWNS are bisected by sculpted yews sloping down to a romantic lake surrounded by rare trees, rhododendrons and shrubs. A fascinating walk through the Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen with its canopy of ancient oaks leads to the majestic River Slaney. There are wonderful views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster.
Duckett’s Grove, the 18th, 19th and early 20th century home of the Duckett family, was formerly at the centre of a 20,000 acre (8,093 hectares) estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds form a romantic profile making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in the country. The walled gardens are a treat for macro lovers.
Location: Altamont, where we meet first, near Ballon. From Dublin exit the M9 at junction 5 for N80 Rosslare. Continue along the N80 through the village of Ballon and the N80/N81 junction. Turn left at the next cross road junction signed Altamont Gardens. Duckett’s Grove is just outside Carlow town, to be visited on the return journey.
Car Parking: €2 Pay and Display in Altamont / Free parking in Duckett’s Grove
Sugar & Spice Café is open for takeaway coffee/tea, cakes and scones, limited outdoor seating.
For more details contact outings@offshoot.ie.
We will meet in the Altamont car park at 10.15 am
SAFETY ON OFFSHOOT OUTINGS AND EVENTS
It’s easy to become distracted when taking photographs. Use common sense, take responsibility for your own safety and then go shoot and have fun. Please note the society’s COVID-19 Protocols in place for Outings and Events.
