Children can now enjoy Free Garden Access Year Round
The magnificent Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford are set to swing open the gates as it reopens for 7 days for 2025 from 10 am on Saturday, February 1st, and now children can enjoy free access.
Visitors to Mount Congreve Gardens this spring are in for a feast for the senses, as carpets of snowdrops and crocuses sit around the feet of the great oaks at the bell gate lawn. While winter flowering plants such as Daphnes, Sarcococcas and Mahonias also offer a beautiful fragrance all around the house and down along the fragrant walk.
Early Camellia sasanqua are already out in the upper woods and main path and will soon be followed by our majestic Magnolias blooms along the river walk, which tend to come before the magnolias on the Herman Dool walk. The Rhododendrons are already coming out in the upper woods, and in a short few weeks, the entire garden will be a blaze of spring colours.
There is also a new addition to the kitchen, as well-known Chef Jean-Baptiste (JB) Dubois joins the team as Head Chef, formerly of GIY’s GROW HQ Cafe. Originally from Lunéville in northeast France, JB has a deep passion for sustainable, zero-waste cooking and has been living in Ireland for over 20 years, where he has fully embraced the rich culinary heritage and local ingredients of his adopted home. His culinary philosophy revolves around celebrating local, homegrown, seasonal produce and minimising food waste. JB’s approach highlights the beauty and potential of ingredients that are often overlooked, emphasising that thoughtful cooking can be both environmentally friendly and delicious. JB says, “He is looking forward to making the most of everything grown in the Mount Congreve Kitchen Gardens.”
CEO of Mount Congreve Gardens Sara Dolan says, “We are delighted to welcome JB to Mount Congreve and look forward to a new year showcasing and offering the very best of Mount Congreve to all of our visitors. The vision for Mount Congreve Gardens was always to showcase the produce from the Walled Gardens and now, through JB’s talent and expertise in this area, this ambition will now come to fruition.”
2024 has been a remarkable year for Mount Congreve Gardens, with membership sign-ups soaring to over four times the pre-redevelopment projections. This incredible growth underscores the widespread appeal of the gardens and the value of membership.
Mount Congreve Gardens continues to offer exceptional value to its members, and now an exciting new benefit has been introduced. Each membership will include a complimentary day pass, perfect for gifting to a friend or family member. This added perk allows members to share the beauty and tranquillity of Mount Congreve Gardens with their loved ones.
“Mount Congreve Gardens is a place to create memories, and we’re thrilled to provide our members with the opportunity to share this experience with others,” said Ray Sinnott, Estate Director
“With this new initiative, the gardens are inviting even more people to explore and enjoy one of the world’s great gardens.”
There are lots of new happenings in 2025 too as we continue to evolve at Mount Congreve Gardens. The new Forest accommodation officially opens with all of our eco-cabins and their exclusive hot tubs now in situ and restorations near completion on the remaining gate lodges across Mount Congreve Gardens. We will also be unveiling the restoration of the Georgian Glasshouse and some new exhibitions at the house later in the year.
For now, we look forward to welcoming back all of our members and visitors old and new and remind those on our doorstep that now is the best time of year to avail of an annual membership to enjoy the gardens year round”
Mount Congreve’s 70 acres of woodland gardens roll downhill from an elegant 18th-century mansion to the River Suir and are home to one of the largest collections of plants in the world. The gardens include intensively planted woodlands, a walled garden and 16km of walking trails along with an elegant 18th-century mansion to enjoy a glimpse into times gone by along with the beautiful Stables Café and Visitor Centre with delicious menus curated all filled with garden produce.
The gardens at Mount Congreve which is located just 10 minutes from Waterford City are now open from 7 days per week from 9 am to 5 pm at the Cafe, with the Gardens and Foxford Shop open from 10 am to 5 pm and the Greenway Gate open from 10 am to 3 pm daily. For further details see www.mountcongreve.com