Eighteen acclaimed gardeners and garden experts to present at Carlow Garden Festival 2023

THE gardening paradise of County Carlow will open its gardens and castle gates to gardening enthusiasts for the Carlow Garden Festival at the end of July.

This annual festival, organised by Carlow Garden Trail, is renowned as one of Ireland’s finest garden festivals and will take place from July 29 to August 5. 

In its twenty-first year, this week-long event will see eighteen acclaimed gardeners and garden designers from Ireland and the UK deliver an inviting range of events that includes specialist talks, garden tours and workshops. These include  BBC Gardeners' World presenter Nick Bailey,  gardener and writer Alasdair Moore, and BBC presenter, gardener and writer Alys Fowler. 

The festival will take place in a variety of locations across Carlow, including Huntington Castle in Clonegal, Shankill Castle in Paulstown and Hardymount Gardens in Tullow.

Launching this year’s programme, Robert Miller, chairperson of the Carlow Garden Trail said: “Gardening has become an increasingly important part of our lives since the pandemic. It is known to decrease stress levels, improve mental health, boost our immune systems, build strength, and improve memory. 

“Visitors to this year’s festival will gain practical information and advice from renowned gardening and horticultural experts, many from the UK, whom Irish gardeners would not have access to unless via their TV screen. From the amateur to the expert, there is something for everyone, which will marry traditional garden values with biodiversity to create an ideal garden space. 

The week’s festivities also include two evenings of long-table supers, afternoon tea and evening meals along the Carlow Garden Trail to complete the mouth-watering mix on offer at the Carlow Garden Festival.

To pre-book tickets and more information visit www.carlowgardentrail.com.