Gardens at Glin Castle

With our Gulf Stream micro-climate, exotic plants thrive in the gardens at Glin. Groves of Gunnera, camellia and rhododendron flourish under the Killarney oaks and Monterey pine. A Persian Ironwood tree crowns the formal parterre of clipped yew and behind it, the meadowy hill lights up in spring with a thousand pale yellow daffodils. There are a succession of rare flowering trees and shrubs built up by many generations of the FitzGerald family – most notably the women of the family. The current chatelaine Catherine FitzGerald, a practicing landscape designer is developing the garden every year which keeps it fresh and vibrant. There is lots to interest serious garden groups with a passion for horticulture, with our collection of unusual plants and picturesque design. There is also lots to entertain families – a swing – a hermits grotto and stone circle – lawns for games – and trees to climb!

Walled kitchen garden

The walled garden, with its espaliered fruit trees, colourful borders and vegetable plots is alive with the sound of birds and bees. Two wooden gothic temples provide places to sit and contemplate the blissful scene and distant view of the estuary. We grow as much of the fruit and vegetables as we can for the house and like to keep the menus as seasonal as possible. We welcome guests to pick their own and children to enjoy eating peas and beans fresh from the plot. The greenhouse is full of grapes and tomatoes as well as our favourite Lemon verbena for our special after dinner tissane. The garden is for mooching in and enjoying and we encourage everyone to spend time lying on the grass and just drinking it all in!

Nothing nicer than wandering around and savoring the exotic plants, enjoying the walled garden and discovering the two wooden gothic temples.

Our food philosophy

Our food philosophy at Glin Castle is simple; tasty, seasonal and fresh local produce. In our 19th century walled garden, espaliered fruit trees border the asparagus and artichoke beds. Any produce not grown on our grounds, is sourced from the best local producers including fish from Sealyons in Carrigaholt, a small fishing village in County Clare. Our meat is sourced from the best local butchers and our award-winning farmhouse cheese is made by outstanding small local producer Jim O’Brien.

Walled kitchen garden

Catherine with her mother Olda, widow of
the 29th Knight of Glin – they restored the walled garden together in the 1970’s.

Walled kitchen garden