Glin, Co. Limerick.
Tel: (068) 34173
Fax: (068) 34364
E-mail: knight@iol.ie
Web: www.glincastle.com

The bleak front of the castle faces a green field and the wide river Shannon, but the back looks onto a formal parterre, with clipped yews and standard bay trees sheltered by 2 vast Monterey pines. A hill is covered in daffodils in spring while the sides of the mown lawns are bright with magnolias, camellias, Cornus capitata, Sophora tetraptera, and a champion Halesia monticola, the lil-of-the-valley tree.

Behind the hill you find several very tall Drimys winterii, tree ferns, rhododendrons and the giant-leaved Gunnera mannicata.

In early autumn the Persian ironwood tree slowly starts to turn as it gracefully centres the whole picture. Ancient oaks protect bulbs in spring, and in August the stands of Myrtus luma are covered in white, while the eucryphias shower the grass with their petals.

Cross a little stream into the Woodland Walk and Pinetum where a Circidifilum surprises with its burnt sugar scent, and a Nothofagus dombeyi is flourishing amongst the towering pines.

Discover the ring of Standing Stones, and the early 19th century Gothic hermitage surrounded by ferns and oaks. In the kitchen-garden, rows of vegetables and cutting flowers are edged by espaliered apples. Pears and figs line the walls and acres of tea roses and a blowsy herbaceous border are alive with butterflies.

Open: All year by appointment
Admission: €5.00

Contact: Knight of Glin & Madam Fitzgerald

Facilities:
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Directions:

N69. 32 miles from Limerick City. Turn up main street of Glin and first right at O'Shaughnessy's pub. Castle gates are directly ahead.