Japanese Gardens

The Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens are known worldwide and are the finest of their kind in Europe.

Devised between 1906 and 1910 by Colonel William Hall Walker and laid out by Japanese horticulturalist Tassa Eida and his son, the aim was to symbolise the “Life of Man” through trees, plants, flowers, rocks and water, tracing the journey of a soul from Oblivian to Eternity. The gardens combine art, philosophy and nature to create a tranquil and contemplative environment.

A new edition to the gardens is Saint Fiachra’s Garden, named after the patron saint of gardening. It is inspired by Irish monastic tradition and celebrates the rawness of the Irish landscape.

To keep the little ones entertained there is a play area with swings and slides beside Saint Fiachra’s Garden and an enchanting fairy trail.