Sion Hill House & Gardens
Garden
Hillside garden with roses, daffodils and rhododendrons a special feature.
Ferrybank
Waterford
Co Waterford
Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.
Sion Hill House & Gardens
Opening Months: May, June, July, August, SeptemberOpening Days:
Opening Hours: 2-5pm
Admission Charge:
- Appointment Only
- Admission Charge
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
This is an enthusiast’s garden with stories attached to everything from the plants George Kavanagh began collecting as a boy, to the house itself. Sion Hill (1746) is one of five houses built by the Pope family who made their fortune as wine merchants during the Napoleonic embargo. In present times, the Kavanagh family were devastated when their three acre garden in Waterford city was compulsorily purchased, and the house on the opposite hill became the focus of George’s dreams.
These were finally realised when George and Antoinette bought Sion Hill in 1995 and moved in, transplanting 2,000 plants from their previous garden. One of the first things they did was to plant 20,000 daffodils and over 400 species roses and - thanks to a map in the National Archives - rediscovered the original paths in the upper part of the garden, which lies in Kilkenny. They have been restoring and replanting ever since.
Tree ferns bought by George as a lad from Derreen for the grand sum of 2/6d are planted in tropical luxuriance around a hidden fountain pool, and new large leaved rhododendrons, cardiocrinums and tender shrubs are flourishing in the shelter of the woodland garden.
There is a walled area beside the house packed with George’s treasures including a camellia that flowers pink white and red. There are commemorative trees planted by the family of a victim of 9/11, and by Desmond Guinness and Gerry Adams among others. Among them is the smallest rhododendron in the world, with quarter inch leaves.
Best time of year to visit: May, June, July, August, September
Groups & Tours
- Groups Accepted
- Groups Need Appointments
- Accept Only Groups
- Guided Tours
Tour Days:
Additional
Directions
Coming into Waterford city, the entrance is on the right opposite the Stat Oil garage just before Jurys Inn.Facilities / Features
- Parking
- Suitable for children
- Dogs welcome
- Refreshments
- Restaurant
- Cafe
- Visitor Centre
- House open to public (where applicable)
- Museum
- Gift Shop
- Garden Centre
- Plant Sales
- Accomodation
- WC
- WC Wheelchair Accessible
- Wheelchair Access (Partial)
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Trip Planning Tools
My Ireland Guide
Local Recommendations
Hospitality
- Granville Hotel
(0.6km)SW - Granary Cafe, The
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(0.7km)SW - Gingerman, The
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(1.1km)SE - Tom Kearneys Butchers
(1.1km)SW - Walsh's Bakehouse
(1.3km)SW - Hickeys Bakery
(1.4km)SW - Metalman Brewing Company
(1.8km)SW - Diamond Hill Country House
(2.4km)NE - Ardkeen Quality Food Store
(3.0km)SE
Self Catering
- Waterford Castle Lodges
(3.8km)SE - Kilmokea Country Manor & Gardens - Coach House & Garden Suite
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(40.1km)NW
Farmers Markets
- Waterford - Co Waterford - Saturdays
(0.7km)SW - Ardkeen Food Producers - Waterford - Second Sunday each month
(2.9km)SE - Dunbrody - County Wexford
(10.7km)NE - Dunhill - County Waterford - Last Sunday each month
(14.9km)SW - New Ross - County Wexford - Saturdays
(17.8km)NE - Carrick on Suir - County Tipperary - Fridays
(22.2km)NW - Kilmacthomas - Co Waterford - Fridays
(22.3km)SW - Stradbally Community - Co Waterford - 1st Saturday Each Month
(28.2km)SW - Dungarvan - County Waterford - Thursdays
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(44.9km)NE - Enniscorthy - County Wexford - Saturdays
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Tourist Attractions
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Reginalds Tower
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House of Waterford Crystal
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Famine Warhouse
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Ferns Castle
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Golf Courses
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(0.4km) NW - Waterford Castle Golf Club
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(9.2km) SW - Ballyhack
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Apps and Books
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Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Best of the Best
A selective companion guide to our famous broad-based online collection, the ‘glovebox bib ...more... -
From Tide to Table by Georgina Campbell
Paperback edition of From Tide to Table - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Buying, Prep ...more...
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