Irish National Stud
| County: | Co. Kildare |
| Tel: | 045-521 617 |
| Fax: | 045-522 964 |
| Email: | japanesegardens@eircom.net |
Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens, St. Fiachra's Garden &
The Horse Museum
The world famous Japanese Gardens are situated 45km south of Dublin off the M7 & R415 just outside Kildare Town in the 1,000 acre Tully estate, now known as The Irish National Stud. The gardens were laid out in their paths of beauty between 1906-1910 by Tassa Eida and his son Minoru, and have been carefully preserved as one of the gems of Ireland’s Heritage. St. Fiachra’s Garden was created to celebrate the Millennium. There are 4 acres of woodland and lakeside walks. The garden is a natural habitat. The Horse Museum is where the ‘Sport of Kings’ comes to life. Guided tours are given of the Irish National Stud, which is home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds. One ticket covers all four attractions. The Shop has many items of clothing, suitable gifts for all occasions & Irish National Stud branded goods. November and December specialising in Christmas shopping
General Information
| Address: | Tully, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 045-521 617 |
| Fax: | 045-522 964 |
| Email: | japanesegardens@eircom.net |
| Website: | http://www.irish-national-stud.ie |
| Location: | Tully, Kildare |
| Season: | Mid February to December 22 |
| Open Times: | 12 Feb-22 Dec: Daily: 09.30-18.00 Last admission: 17.00 |
| Tours: | Max No: 53 Duration: 1 hr (Stud & Horse Museum) |
| Booking Contact: | Brenda Brown |
| Average Visit Length: | 3-4 Hours National Stud: 1 hour Japanese Gardens: 20 mins St. Fiachra's Garden: 45 mins Horse Museum: 20 mins |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: €11.00 Child: €6.00 Student/OAP €8.00 Family €27.00 |
| Audio Visual: | Yes - Special Irish National Stud T.V. Channel located in the Horse Museum |
| Restaurant: | Coffee Shop and lunches (seats 80) Veranda (seats 60) |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Shop: | Wide range of quality Irish crafted goods, Crystal, fashion, pottery & jewellery |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Finnish, Danish etc. |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Japanese Gardens
The Japanese Gardens at Tully were created between the years 1906-1910. Devised by Colonel William Hall-Walker (later Lord Wavertree), a wealthy Scotsman of a famous brewery family and laid out by the Japanese Eida and his son Minoru. The Gardens, planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man', are now of international renown and are acclaimed as the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe
Saint Fiachra's Garden
The Patron Saint of Gardeners: In 1999 the Irish National Stud created a commemorative garden to St. Fiachra, Patron Saint of Gardeners, to celebrate the Millennium. It was designed by Professor Martin Hallinan, award winning landscape architect. He created a garden which presents visitors with a similar natural environment to that which inspired the spirituality of the monastic movement in Ireland during the 6th and 7th centuries
Education
The Centre covers many different subject areas including Stud Farm Management and is a designated ‘Discover Primary Science’ Centre. The National Stud provides children with a unique environment for learning about the thoroughbred racehorse. The children also follow an environmental trail within the grounds of St. Fiachra’s Garden, exploring the flora and fauna. The displays in the Horse Museum are relevant to both Primary and Secondary School ages. There is a life size skeleton of “Arkle” a very famous steeplechaser who raced in the mid sixties. In addition The Irish National Stud TV channel is located in the Museum and is an invaluable source of knowledge to children and adults
1910 to 2010 Centenary of the Japanese Gardens
On the grounds of the Irish National Stud Co. Tully, Kildare Town.
Who would have believed that the gardens created by Col. William Hall-Walker on a boggy site on his Tully estate between 1906 to 1910 would one day attract thousands of Visitors from all over the world. Designed by the Japanese landscape gardener Tassa Eida with the help of the farm workers over this four year period, these gardens tell the story of ‘The Life of Man’ from the cradle to the grave and are acclaimed as the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Europe Hall-Walker gave the Stud at Tully as a gift to the British Government in 1915, who in return bestowed on him the title of Lord Wavertree. Tully continued as the British National Stud (known locally as Tully Stud) until in 1943 it was handed over to the Irish Government.
In 1945 the Irish National Stud Company was formed and it was this company who restored the gardens ( which had fallen into a state of disrepair) to their former glory.
In the early fifties the Irish National Stud Company opened the Japanese Gardens to the Public on a Sunday afternoon, over time this increased to 7 days a week 11 months of the year from February to December. During this time a lot of interest was shown in the Stud so it was decided to open the Stud for guided tours. Then came the Horse Museum, a Visitor centre which houses a Restaurant and a Gift shop. For the Millennium an Irish garden was created on the land known as St. Fiachra’s Garden. All four are now known as the Irish National Stud Visitor Attraction and is rated among the top 20 Visitor Attractions on the island of Ireland.
The Japanese Gardens, on the grounds of the Irish National Stud are situated on the east coast of Ireland 30 miles south of Dublin off the M7 and the R 415. This is a most unique attraction and well worth a visit especially in its Centenary year 2010.
Easter Sunday & Monday, 4th & 5th April
- Easter egg hunt (Easter Monday 3 p.m.)
- Face painting (Sunday & Monday)
-Colouring Competition (Entry forms must be handed in by Saturday 3rd April)
Easter Parade - Kimono Competition. This is for children aged 7-11 years & 12-16 years. The Parade takes place on Easter Sunday from 2.30 – 4 p.m. at which stage it will be judged by well known Kildare model Ms. Veronica Moore. Entry Forms are available at the Reception Desk in the Visitor Centre.
Japanese week-end 14/15/16 May
Japanese themed week-end running over 3 days, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
- Demonstrations; Sushi
- Demonstrations; Ikebana (the art of arranging flowers in Japan) each arrangement must represent the passage of time, the season and harmony with nature
- Tea Ceremony in the Osborne Centre, I.N.S.
- Art Competition – Theme ‘Japanese Gardens Centenary’ - Entries must be handed into the Visitor Centre by Saturday 8th May, 2010.
How to book
Entry forms for the Colouring Competition, Kimono Competition and Art Competitions may be picked up at the Visitor Centre. Tickets are now on Sale for the Demonstrations which are taking place over the Japanese themed week-end and may be purchased at our Visitor centre. Or alternatively log onto www.irish-national-stud.ie Centenary page.
Tel: 00353 (0)45 521617
