Nature spot · County Laois
Gash Gardens
Gash Gardens are a plant enthusiast’s garden in County Laois, created by an Irish dairy farmer.
Noel Keenan was a dairy farmer with a passion for horticulture. In the mid 1980s he set about transforming four acres of grazing farmland into a garden alongside the River Nore, near the picturesque village of Castletown and 20 minutes from Portlaoise.
Gash Gardens offers the visitor borders packed with a blend of vibrant and unusual planting amid still ponds, meandering streams and a riverside walk.
Managed by Noel’s daughter Mary with her husband Ross, Gash Gardens is suited to garden lovers, plant enthusiasts, keen photographers or individuals seeking a peaceful day surrounded by beauty and nature at the foot of the Slieve Blooms.
Outdoors in County Laois this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct13° / 8°Light rain
- Sat, 10 Oct12° / 6°Scattered clouds
- Sun, 11 Oct13° / 13°Sun with light cloud
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
Nature spot · 9.2 km awayFruitlawn GardenGardenBoleyFruitlawn Garden in Abbeyleix, County Laois, is a designer's garden of approximately 1 acre. See richly planted perennial borders containing many unusual plants along with a hornbeam tunnel, orchard, and fruit and vegetable garden. See oak copse, yew hedges, beautiful climbing roses, lovely trees and shrubs.
Nature spot · 9.4 km awayClonohill GardensGardenPortlaoiseClonohill Gardens are set at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The gardens have been designed and developed to enhance the existing landscape with many mature trees providing a shady home for woodland treasures.
Nature spot · Co. Tipperary · 21 km awayGolden Grove ForestParkRoscreaGolden Grove is a pleasant woodland area about 3.5km from Roscrea, in County Tipperary. While there are no waymarked trails, the loop of forest road and paths does provide a very pleasant walk.