Cois Cuain Gardens

Opening Months:
Opening Days:
Opening Hours: BY APPOINTMENT
Admission Charge: Adult / Student / Senior: €5; Children Free

• Appointment Only
• Admission Charge

Gardening in West Cork is definitely different. The Walshes may have had to use a pick axe rather than a spade to plant in their seaside garden but growing conditions, thanks to the greenhouse climate of the Gulf Stream, are incredible. Tender plants from Australasia and South Africa flourish in nooks between the rocks, and plants that normally need cosseting can safely be left out all winter.

Mary and Bob only began gardening seriously in 1991 when they retired to their holiday home overlooking Dunmanus Bay. They began in front of the house planting Olieria macrondontaas a wind break and then shrubs interspersed with plants. Quite without their ever intending it to happen, the garden has grown to three and a half acres, embracing a natural rockery area, a grassy stream garden planted with trees, a vegetable garden and a seaside path between fuchsias and camellias.

Little paths wind in between features, allowing the opportunity to admire the myriad tender and unusual plants. Restios, abutilon melianthus, hibiscus, yuccas, watsonias, leptospermum, aloes, agapanthus and kangaroo paw look all the more exotic near the wild seashore setting, and oleander, plumbago and tibouchina prosper in the greenhouse.

In the new stream and rock garden, exotic trees like Acacia retinoides and handsome species like Picea brewerianaare keeping their heads down in the shelter of a hillock. Paths lead to viewing points, with seats made from driftwood or a telegraph pole where visitors simply have to pause and drink in the glorious combination of plants a scenery for, as Mary Walshe says, the place is all about peace and tranquillity.


Best time of year to visit:

Groups & Tours

• Groups Accepted
• Groups Need Appointments
• Accept Only Groups
• Guided Tours

Tour Days:

Tour Times

Tours are by appointment

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