Gardens at Ballinkeele Luxury Bed and Breakfast, Wexford
Ballinkeele House is not just a historic inn and luxury bed and breakfast, but it also is a working farm and family home set in a scenic Manor house in Ireland.
The extensive gardens in Ballinkeele alone would impress anyone but for the true garden enthusiast the house is also perfectly situated to visit and tour a huge variety of open gardens in and around the area.
As visitors drive up the avenue to Ballinkeele House, they pass large rhododendrons and fully grown monkey puzzles. On the right is the yard and stables where Frigate, the first mare to win the Grand National back in 1889, was bred and trained. The three fields, originally one field, at the back of the house was known as the racecourse where Frigate, Gunboat and many other famous horses were trained. Further along the avenue is one of the recently reclaimed small ponds, with a restored walk and garden.
At one time the estate employed 10 gardeners, 8 stable-yard workers and 15 people on the land, today things are a little different and there is no longer the manpower to keep on top of everything. However John and Margaret work hard to maintain a good proportion of the gardens and grounds. Margaret’s garden was originally a ha-ha, which led through bridle paths around the small pond to the smaller walled flower garden. The larger walled garden, which expands to about an acre and a half, has recently been restored with lighter maintenance in mind; an orchard has been planted and a vegetable garden laid out to provide the guests and household with fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year.
Guests are welcome to stroll around the garden, to play some croquet, or for a longer stride and more fresh air, to continue on a walk around the pond towards the yard and up to the old castle (or keep), which is believed was built as a folly. There is also a larger lake of an acre and a half which has recently been refilled to provide coarse fishing for guests.
Other Gardens to visit in the area
Many Irish gardens are worth a visit throughout the year but we'd recommend visiting the following gardens from May to June when they are at their most colourful.
~ Ram House Garden, Coolgreany, Gorey
~ Knockbawn, Inch
~ The Bay, Camolin, Enniscorthy
~ Heatherset, Rocklands, Wexford
~ Shortalstown Gardens, Killinck
~ Woodville, New Ross
~ Altamont, Tullow, Co Carlow
~ Kilmokea, Campile
~ Johnstown Castle, Murrintown, Co Wexford
~ John F Kennedy Arboretum, New Ross
~ Millbanks, Rosberon, New Ross
~ Mount Congreve, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford
~ The Water Garden, Ladywell, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
~ Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny