Knockpatrick Gardens

The basics

Knockpatrick Gardens offers tours daily, but you must book ahead of your visit by calling or e-mailing—see the website for contact details. You can also purchase an admission ticket when you arrive to explore independently. If you’ve booked a Wild Atlantic Way tour that makes a stop at the gardens, you’ll probably have a bit of free time to look around.

Things to know before you go

• Bring a camera—along with flowers and plants, the garden features some lovely stone and water displays.

• Plan to spend a full hour at Knockpatrick Gardens to fully enjoy its beauty without being rushed.

• The gardens are typically open most days in the afternoon, but call ahead to confirm opening times to avoid disappointment.

How to get there

Knockpatrick Gardens is in Foynes, County Limerick, which is around 40-minutes by car from Limerick. Most visitors come while exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, or on day trips from Shannon, Ennis, or Tipperary. You can also book Wild Atlantic Way tours that include a stop at the gardens.

When to get there

Knockpatrick Gardens is open from April through October, but the garden is at its best from May until the end of September. If you can visit in May, September, or October, the nearby Wild Atlantic Way hotspots will probably be less crowded than in the summer months.

Head to Dolans Pub and Restaurant

After your visit to the Knockpatrick Gardens, drive around 30 minutes from Foynes to Limerick for a bite to eat (and a Guinness, of course) at Dolan’s Pub and Restaurant. Dolan’s is in the dockland area of the city and features live, traditional Irish music every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Top food favorites on the menu include Wild Atlantic fish and chips and Irish lamb stew.