Free Guided Tours
Discover the home and gardens of the Duckett family, by taking a guided tour of the ruins, walled gardens and pleasure grounds. Led by Daniel Mc Daid, a guided tour here is a captivating and educational experience. Daniel’s passion and in-depth knowledge bring the history of Duckett’s Grove alive, making it an enthralling adventure for visitors of all ages. His ability to convey the essence of the Duckett family legacy is truly captivating.
FREE guided tours of Duckett’s Grove are available at 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. each Friday – Sunday (and to groups outside of those times by prior appointment). To book a guided tour visit Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens Tickets. Departure from the reception point opposite the Lazy River Café in the courtyard.
You can also pick up a free audio guide at the reception point within the courtyard to hear the stories and meet some of the characters who lived and worked here for 250 years before the disastrous fire of 1933 destroyed Duckett’s Grove. Hear from William Duckett, his wife Maria, her daughter Olive O’Grady, as well as Mr Mitchell the steward and Mr O’Brien the head gardener, and discover what life was like for the gentry and those they employed to work at Duckett’s Grove. Available in six languages – Irish, English, German, Italian and Spanish.
From there a short journey takes you into Carlow Town and Delta Sensory Gardens. Delta is an oasis of peace and tranquility, with sixteen interconnecting gardens set on 2.5 acres. From the Waterfall Garden to the Rose Gardens and Willow Garden there’s something for the whole family to discover at every turn. Consistently voted the number one thing to do in Carlow by Trip Advisor, the gardens have so much to offer during every season of the year. The gardens contain numerous water features including the famous Kugal, one tonne of pink marble floating on a cushion of water. Café Thyme attached to the gardens offers delicious lunches, tea/coffee and snacks while the garden centre stocks a range of shrubs, perennials and seasonal plants.
Take some time out to relax and plan the next stage of your trip over some delicious food in the award-winning Rachel’s Garden Café – where all food is made on site, using local where possible. Afterwards visit Arboretum Inspirational Gardens, which feature a stunning display of colourful plants, shrubs, fruit trees and ornamental features. Designed to inspire visitors on planting schemes and solutions, the gardens offer endless ideas that can be easily recreated in gardeners’ own homes. Families will enjoy exploring the African mud hut and spotting the friendly koi who reside in the Arboretum pond. There is an excellent children’s playground and a maze adjacent to the Inspirational Gardens.
Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Bank Holidays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A short five minute drive takes you to Leighlinbridge – the Garden Village, where the local community has built and designed four beautiful gardens to commemorate various aspects of village life over the years. Both the village, a regular winner in Tidy Towns, and the gardens are well worth a visit.
Further south there are lots of other attractions including Kilgraney House and Herb Gardens and Borris House
