Whether you’re blessed with a green thumb, are a budding enthusiast or just enjoy a summer day out, these gardening events are both fun and informative.
Carlow Garden Festival
One of Ireland’s most celebrated gardening events, the Carlow Garden Festival returns once again this year from 25 July to 2 August. Boasting an exceptional programme of talks, tours, workshops and garden experiences, the nine-day event will bring together an impressive line-up of leading garden experts, designers, broadcasters and authors from across Ireland and the UK. Offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn from some of the most respected voices in gardening today, it’s a fun day out for all – whether you’re an experienced gardener, a complete beginning or simply someone who appreciates beautiful landscapes.
This year’s programme has been carefully curated and combines practical gardening advice with fascinating stories of gardens from across Ireland, England and beyond. Highlights include a special visit by John Anderson, gardener to King Charles III on 28 July. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Altamont Gardens, John’s talk, Gardens Along the Gulf Stream, will draw on his experiences managing some of Britain and Ireland’s most celebrated gardens, from Mount Usher and Inverewe to Exbury and the Savill Garden.
Throughout the festival, visitors can explore historic estates, woodland gardens, community gardens, sensory gardens, garden centres and nurseries across Carlow, while enjoying practical demonstrations, expert talks and guided experiences. To book your ticket and find the full festival programme with timing and venue details, visit carlowgardentrail.com for more.
Wildflowers: The Accidental Garden
One of many themed tours organised at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in Glasnevin, this one is centred around the topic of wildflowers. Gracing our summer hedges, meadows, wetlands and coasts, they provide food for pollinators and other animals, make up native habitats and are an evocative expression of the Irish landscape. During the tour, your guide will bring you around the grounds where you’ll get a glimpse of the over 15,000 plant species and cultivars that live there.
Within the living collections at the National Botanic Gardens, there are more than 300 endangered species from around the world, and six species already extinct in the wild.
The Gardens are open every day throughout the year except for Christmas Day, and are completely free to enter and explore. Tickets for the wildflower tour – which can be booked online or purchased for cash at the visitor centre – cost €5 and run on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month of July. Keep up to date with all summer events and tours here.
Grow your own cut flowers workshop
If you’ve dreamt of filling vases with your own home-grown flowers, but have no idea how to go about it, then this is the workshop for you. Run by Ruth Fortune, a self-taught grower and florist, the two-hour class takes place at her flower field in Glandore Village, West Cork. Suitable for anyone with a basic knowledge of gardening, you’ll leave with a more comprehensive understanding of what the process involves along with notes and seeds to get you started. Priced at €65, you can book your spot here.
Galway Garden Festival 2026
Set on the grounds of Claregalway Castle, the Galway Garden Festival takes place on 4-5 July. A wonderful weekend spanning craft, food, and of course, gardening too, attendees can expect open air theatre, music and entertainment, with an impressive line-up of guest speakers already confirmed for this year’s event. Music will come courtesy of The Silver Moon Quintet, Galway’s much loved St Patrick’s Brass Band, the Barceló Brothers, Galway Baytones, the Claregalway Community Choir and the unforgettable Pocket Jazz Orchestra. Entry starts at €10, with gate profits going to support Christian Blind Mission Ireland. Visit galwaygardenfestival.com for more.
Johnstown Castle Estate Garden Fair
Returning after a hugely successful inaugural year, the Johnstown Castle Garden Fair takes place on 12 July, bringing together some of Ireland’s finest specialist nurseries, expert horticulturists, artisans and garden enthusiasts for a celebration of gardening, biodiversity and the great outdoors.
Conveniently located just 10 minutes from Wexford Town, with on-site parking and easy access, it’s a brilliant day out for the whole family. If you’re looking to pick up some new plants, there will be an exceptional selection from 20 specialist nurseries from across Ireland, including award-winning growers offering everything from rare perennials and native Irish plants to cottage garden favourites. Wexford’s Kilmurray Nursery will be among those taking part, fresh off their gold medal win at Bloom 2026.
At the craft stalls, there will be a carefully selected range of artisan exhibitors, from botanical artist Lynn Stringer to Baurnafea Studio, Mulhall Obelisks, Rarebits, and Tara Hill Honey, to name but a few. And don’t head off before checking out the information stands for expert advice and live flower arranging demonstrations.
Admission is free for Irish Heritage Trust Members, with tickets for non-members available online and/or on the day. You can find more details including the full line-up of scheduled talks at johnstowncastle.ie
