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Discovering Ireland’s Best Botanical Gardens

Ireland, with its lush landscapes and mild climate, is home to some of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast or just seeking a serene escape, these gardens offer a diverse range of flora and exquisite landscapes that are sure to captivate. Here are some of the top botanical gardens in Ireland that you must visit. So pack your suitcase and start planning a great trip around these gardens all over Ireland. If you are doing a week in Ireland then all you need is a small hard shell cabin suitcase from somewhere like suitcasecity.co.uk and you should be able to do the top 2/3 gardens from our list. As sponsors of this post we recommend their Kono suitcase range for a trip such as this.

1. National Botanic Gardens, Dublin

Located in Glasnevin, just 3 kilometers from Dublin city center, the National Botanic Gardens are an oasis of calm and beauty. Established in 1795, these gardens house over 15,000 plant species from around the world. Highlights include the historic wrought iron glasshouses, such as the Great Palm House and the Curvilinear Range, and the serene Sensory Garden designed to engage all five senses. The gardens also feature unique attractions like the Rockery and sundials, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists​ (The Irish Road Trip)​. This is the perfect weekend trip as it is close to Dublin, only a cabin sized suitcase is needed for this trip.

2. Mount Usher Gardens, County Wicklow

Mount Usher Gardens, designed in the Robinsonian style, are renowned for their natural, informal layout. Situated along the banks of the River Vartry, these gardens boast a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, including magnolias, rhododendrons, and camellias. The picturesque setting, complete with a suspension bridge and cascades, offers a tranquil retreat into nature​ (Discover Ireland)​.

3. Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden, County Galway

Nestled in the Connemara region, Kylemore Abbey features a stunning six-acre Victorian walled garden, divided by a mountain stream. The garden includes formal flower beds, glasshouses, a rockery, and a vegetable garden. Once compared to London’s Kew Gardens, Kylemore Abbey’s gardens are a testament to Victorian horticultural excellence and are beautifully maintained to this day​ (IRELAND ON A BUDGET)​.

4. Blarney Castle Gardens, County Cork

While famous for the Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle is also home to 60 acres of diverse gardens. The grounds include the mystical Poison Garden, which features a collection of toxic plants, and the serene Fern Garden with its abundant tree ferns. Visitors can also explore the arboretum, Himalayan Walk, and the unique carnivorous plant collection​​.

5. Muckross House and Gardens, County Kerry

Located within Killarney National Park, the gardens surrounding Muckross House are a blend of formal and informal styles. Developed in the 1850s, the gardens feature vibrant flower beds, rock gardens, and a charming sunken garden. The arboretum is home to a variety of exotic trees, including species from the Southern Hemisphere​​.

For tips on designing your own garden please check out our blog. You can also install fitness equipment in your garden such as a walking pad or music boxing machine that don’t take up much space.

By Andy Jordan, ago
28 inch suitcase

Why lowers as souvenirs are better than any other gift

Souvenirs provide small tokens of an enjoyable trip that help to keep the vacation memorable. Nothing upsets a recent traveler more than unpacking a piece of your suitcase only to find the treasure purchased as a souvenir broken to bits. Bringing home souvenirs lets friends and family that weren’t on the trip get a glimpse of the region. Many people choose to buy souvenirs as gifts for loved ones as a way of expressing how much they were missed, so a broken item bought for someone else can really put a damper on the gesture. Souvenir gifts also offer a way to show appreciation for someone that took care of things like mail or pets while the traveler was away. Packing souvenirs the right way ensures a safe delivery.


Instead of packing souvenirs in a separate bag, wrap each item in an article of clothing before packing them into the luggage. A mug wrapped in a shirt or a picture frame folded into the leg of a pair of pants is well protected when placed into a packed piece of suitcase. Ideally this would be a extra large 28 inch suitcase for sale in a local town for cheaper than you buy at home. Small items stay secure in the pocket of a piece of clothing. This technique for packing souvenirs works best if the clothing inside the suitcase fits snugly. Be sure to pack the souvenirs in between layers of clothing – if they are too close to the exterior of the suitcase without any cushioning they can still break upon impact.

If you feel unsafe about placing souvenirs into a piece of suitcase in the cargo hold, use the clothing to cushion them in a carry-on bag. A carry-on allows you to keep your eye on the souvenirs during the flight and makes it easier to feel secure about any expensive souvenirs that were purchased. Clothing in the bag guarantees that the souvenirs stay protected when being placed into the overhead or during turbulence.

Alternately, instead of packing souvenirs in luggage and taking them with you, box them up and ship them home using the postal service. Packing fitness things like boxing gloves, jump ropes etc, can take a up a lot of space in your luggage. Clothing can be used as a filler in the box as an eco-friendly packing material and it also helps to lighten the pieces of luggage that you do take on the plane. Irregularly shaped or oversized souvenirs are best packed using the shipping method in order to avoid any hassles at the airport.

By Andy Jordan, ago