20 Jan Snowdrop

Snowdrop

Next month is the beginning of the Snowdrop month, the eagerly awaited arrival of the small white flowers in February is a welcome sign that winter is finished and spring is here. To celebrate the arrival of the snowdrops, each year many of Carlow’s best gardens and woodlands open and come together to offer visitors and locals alike, a range of fabulous events that collectively make up Snowdrop Month.

Our very own Avlon House is perfectly situated to make the most of all of the great events happening throughout the month. With multiple venues close by be sure to stay with us and if you book direct, we can guarantee the best rates!

Here are the locations and travel times to the events;

Altamont Gardens – 23 minutes
The Office of Public Works, in association with the Carlow Garden Trail and Carlow Tourism, has announced celebrations in Altamont Gardens from February 1 of 2020. Guided tours of the Snowdrop Collection in the Walled Gardens each Saturday from February 8-29 at 2pm. Gardens open from 9am to 4.30pm. This unique collection, first started by Corona North, the former owner of Altamont Gardens, is now amongst the largest in Ireland with over 100 named varieties. Visitors can enjoy 16 hectares of formal and informal gardens, which will be blooming with a carpet of snowdrops, at Altamont Gardens in Tullow, Co Carlow.

Burtown House – 20 minutes
The gardens at Burtown House near Athy will open every Wednesday – Sunday and feature an extensive collection of snowdrops, aconites, hellebores and early bulbs. A painting workshop with botanical artist Shevaun Doherty takes place on February 8th and 9th – Shevaun is well known as one of Carlow’s most famed botanical artists and winner of Best in Show at Bloom in the Phoenix Park 2018 for a fabulous drawing of a golden eye lichen. Accompanied walk and talk garden tours will take place on February 16th. Hearty brunches and lunches using produce from the organic kitchen garden served at The Green Barn Restaurant

Huntington Castle & Gardens – 30 minutes
An original 17th century garden with charming woodland walks featuring snowdrops and spring plantings. Tours of castle also available (11am-4pm).

Shankill Castle & Gardens – 21 minutes
Enjoy the woodland walks with a spectacular carpet of snowdrops, hellebores and early Spring bulbs. Admission: Adults €5. Group tickets, concessions and family tickets available. Entrance via front gate in Paulstown village.