GARDEN HEAVEN IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND TEAMS UP WITH TULFARRIS HOTEL

 GARDEN HEAVEN IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND TEAMS UP WITH TULFARRIS HOTEL

June Blake in her garden

 

Wicklow is often referred to as ‘The Garden of Ireland’ with its majestic mountains, valleys, and rugged beauty the county is home to countless ‘must visit’ places. The temperate climate allows a myriad variety of trees, plants, and shrubs to grow, and the county is famous for some of Ireland’s most stunning planted and natural gardens.

 

One of these ‘must visit’ gardens is June Blake’s Garden in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Spread over three acres, the gardens were once nothing more than a great big field but through inspired design and thoughtful planting are now truly breathtaking. The gardens wrap around June’s own Victorian farmhouse and granite- stone farm buildings and are famous for their annual tulip display. Paths weave their way through a sea of prairie-style planting, coloured borders, and the famous tulips which June painstakingly plants every year. In fact, some 7,000 tulip bulbs are planted annually, and they put on an almighty display come May when the gardens become a riot of colour.  Completely organic, June’s garden is home to all kinds of wildlife, bees and insects and is a real joy to behold.

 

Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort also in Blessington has teamed up with June Blake’s Gardens in order to create a gardening package that any green fingered traveller would love.  ‘The Gardener’s Get Away’ includes two luxurious nights at the stunning four-star Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort with dinner in the hotel restaurant, Fia Rua, bed and breakfast each morning, a guided tour of June’s garden and a gardening workshop with June Blake herself.  The workshop will include top tips on propagation, what to plant and when and general tips on how to get the most from your own green patch.

“Gardening is real joy,” said June. “It’s wonderful to see those little green shoots peeping up over the soil and then watching the leaves unfurl to display their fabulous early summer costumes.  May is tulip season for us here at the gardens and visitors on the Tulfarris Gardener’s Get Away will see first-hand the vibrant colours that these stunning flowers are so famous for. I’m looking forward to meeting gardeners of all levels and my workshop is suitable for experienced gardeners and novices alike.”

 

The package also includes a picnic which the talented chefs at Tulfarris will prepare for you to bring with you to enjoy while you take in the stunning beauty at the gardens. What could be more heavenly than enjoying an artisan picnic lunch in a verdant, leafy, and peaceful space?  Guests who book directly via the Tulfarris Hotel website will also receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco when they book directly on the hotel’s own website. The Gardiner’s Get Away will run from Sunday, 15^th of May until Tuesday the 17^th of May and is priced from €244 per person sharing.

 

All of the bedrooms at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort have been newly renovated and the resort itself enjoys a stunning location, set on the shores of the famous Blessington Lakes.  Nature lovers will enjoy the many walks around the resort and don’t be surprised if you see wild deer roaming about. In fact, the deer are so plentiful that the main hotel restaurant was called ‘Fia Rua’ (Red Deer).

 

Guests may also easily access the nearby, historic Russborough House, reputed to be the longest house in Ireland.  Russborough is only a short drive away from the Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort and is certainly worth a visit. Designed by Richard Cassels, Russborough was built in 1755 and is a fine example of Palladian architecture. Outside, the walled garden, maze and extensive, mature parkland is a delight to explore with its ancient, native trees and plants.  The 200-acre estate is also home to the National Bird of Prey Centre where owls, falcons and birds of prey from all over the world can be found.

 

To book the The Gardener’s Get Away package log on to www.tulfarrishotel.com or call (045) 867 600.

press release

 

Dining at Russborough House

Dining at Russborough House

We are on our way to dinner at Russborough House. It is one of the most sought after invitations and we are looking forward to the evening as we ease up the drive. The old Jaguar makes quite a sound on the gravel as the brakes are applied. Sir Alfred and Lady Beit are waiting for us in the great hall, genuinely delighted to see us.

Amazing stucco throughout, here on the main stairs

Soon, the other guests arrive and we are shown to the dining room with its Spanish carpet, paintings of the family and that magnificent fireplace with a bust of Bacchus (is that a red wine stain I see on his face?). We start off with a 1954 Hock Deidesheimer. 

Soon the conversation is buzzing. Not by accident, I might add. Our hosts are well-known for their shrewd and thoughtful organisation and have spent quite time on the seating arrangements. We dine in some comfort. Dishes include roast pheasant, game chips and braised chicory and the fish is poached salmon with extremely thinly cut cucumber, new potatoes and mint. We are fully at ease by the time Sir Alfred introduces us to his favourite Sauterne. Oh, by the way, cheese is served here instead of dessert.

It isn’t always fine cuisine here, not even for our hosts. I was told that when Sir Alfred dines on his own he might have bangers and mash, served in a silver salver of course!

Ready to dine?

Anyhow, at the end of the meal, the hospitality continued in fine style. We are offered luxury cigarettes from Turkey and Cuban Cohiba cigars, with port on the dining room table. Cognac too of course. All kinds of aromas, include fine perfumes, mix in that smoke-filled room.

More stucco. One of many chandeliers

Pollard is the long-serving butler to Sir Alfred and they work hand in hand on all kinds of arrangements for events in the house and estate. You can be sure that Pollard had been instructed as to the vintage of the wine and whether or not a tablecloth should be used. That level of detail plus Lady Beit’s organisational skills almost always ensures a perfect evening. And in the morning - we are staying for the night - we are informed that breakfast  (usually includes grapefruit segments) will be served in the dining room at 9.30am. 

Aesop's greedy dog about to lose his bone in the water

It is all routine here and the place works like clockwork, lunch at 1.00pm and afternoon tea at 5pm precisely. For the latter, and we’ve been there from time, you may enjoy Darjeeling tea plus a chocolate biscuit each. Fine china and silver thongs for the sugar bowl are always used. And don’t miss dinner, timed for 7pm precisely!

More Aesop: The Shepherd feeds an injured lion who will eventually spare the shepherd when they meet in the arena

The Beits have a staff of between 20 and 25, like an extended family, though there is no familiarity as the staff always address them as ‘Sir Alfred’ and ‘Her Ladyship’. They only recruit people who are both able and dedicated - from the gardeners who grow the fruit and vegetables to the maid who makes the butter.

Dinner was interrupted when Rose Dugdale came calling in April 1974

The staff here are always immaculately dressed, with maids in white pinafores. They see food and wine that is rarely seen in everyday life as their employer is a wine connoisseur with a liking for dessert wines and also Clarets such as Chateau Margaux.

Face from the colonnade

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Fantasy dinner over and no Margaux for me, I’m afraid, on our recent visit to this fascinating house, so much to see and take in and our excellent guide Iris gave us a terrific tour. Most of the info about the habits of the Beits (and the previous families) are detailed in various exhibitions around the house and you can get some fascinating insights into the Beits (and their troubles with the IRA and gangsters), down below in the basement.

Oh, by the way, I didn’t get to see the kitchens here. Simply because they are still in use, serving up food for the house café. It is a very busy spot with a couple of adjoining dining rooms and some visitors take food out to enjoy in the open air and keep an eye on the kids who are well catered for here with various playing areas and walks through the parklands. We confined ourselves to a couple of pastries and coffee before hitting the road home to Cork.

Two timber floors, the one on the right from Russborough. On the left, is detail from a Benedictine monastery in Engelberg (Switzerland), the 3D effect achieved by the use of four different timbers. Something similar in Wicklow?

See also on this trip:
 Museum of Style Icons
Decorator to the Stars Designed Newbridge Silver Café
Dining at Russborough House
Wine, Dine & Golf at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort

Russborough House
Historic house and parklands
Blessington, Co. Wicklow
See also: Museum of Style Icons