Ireland Guide

- ireland -

Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden

Garden

Exotic woodland gardens with bamboo forests and ferns

Address:
Glanleam
Valentia Island
Co Kerry
website Contact Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden
Tel: +353 66 947 6176

Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.

Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden

Opening Months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Opening Days:
Opening Hours: 10am - 7pm
Admission Charge:
  • Appointment Only
  • Admission Charge

Experiencing this garden is like straying into a benign jungle where the most exotic of plants rule in wild profusion. And if ever there was a place to give a sense of other worldliness it is Glanleam. The 40 acre site on an east facing bay on Valentia Island was created in the 19th century by the 19th Knight of Kerry, with plants sent back by plantcollectors from all over the world,particularly Australasia.

Much of the collection and itsdescendants survive, spreading andgrowing to enormous proportions inthe warming breath of the GulfStream, proving the point that thingsgrow faster in Ireland than atanywhere else at this latitude. Paths
wiggle through luxuriant growth pastcordylines, bamboo forests,Beschorneria yuccoides, groves oftree ferns, embothrium and myrtles(including the variant Luma apiculata‘Glanleam Gold’ with cream bordered leaves which originated in the garden.)

Ferns, much collected by Victorians,are a particular feature and includespecies like the chain fern and theKillarney fern.

The garden is long and narrow in shape with paths winding back and forth between different features and prospects. There is an upper walk through thickets of camellias, a sea walk edged with bluebells and primulas, and a gunnera walk near the house. Streams and water features throughout the garden add to the interest. Restoration work is ongoing by current owners Meta and Jessica Kressig and, while storm damage which uprooted scores of trees posed challenges, it has also opened up new areas and opportunities.



 



Best time of year to visit:

Groups & Tours

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

Tour Days:



Additional

Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden - Valentia Island County Kerry ireland
Minimize map Minimize map

Map markers

You are here
Distance
  • 10km
  • 25km
  • 50km

Directions

From Ring of Kerry, take car ferry (Caherciveen) or road bridge (near Portmagee) to Valentia Island. On the island, take the road for Knightstown: turn left in village; Glanleam is signposted on the right.

Facilities / Features

View All Recommended Gardens

Trip Planning Tools

My Ireland Guide

Local Recommendations

Hospitality

Self Catering

Farmers Markets

Tourist Attractions

Golf Courses

Gardens

Nearby Towns/Areas

Comments

There are currently no comments

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment
Not a member? Register for your free membership now!
Or leave a comment by logging in with:
 

Facebook & Twitter Recent Activity

Apps and Books