Europe
Ireland
Province of Munster
County Clare
The Burren
Ballyvaughan
Things to do in Ballyvaughan
Caher Bridge Garden

Caher Bridge Garden, Ballyvaughan: Address, Phone Number, Caher Bridge Garden Reviews: 5/5

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Caher Bridge Garden

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Caher Bridge Garden
5
58
#5 of 20 things to do in Ballyvaughan
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About
A 1.5 acre, award winning plantsman's garden situated in the beautiful Caher Valley in the heart of the Burren. The garden was begun in 1999 and has been specifically designed to 'blend' into, and incorporate it's surrounding landscape. Many 'native' plants are used, along with an extensive collection of garden plants. There are several noteable collections including Brunnera, Galanthus, Narcissus, Ferns, Hostas, Primula, Arisaema, Hydrangea and crocosmia. The garden includes a section of the Caher river, ponds and water features. There are interesting design elements, and a wealth of creative stonework including a 'Moon Window' built from local stone. It has been featured in many magazines, newspapers and is included in the book "The top 100 Gardens of Ireland" The garden is open from Mid-March to Mid-October, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please ring for details. All visits are by guided tour. Photography is allowed. Unfortunately the garden is NOT suitable for children under 16 years.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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5.0
58 reviews
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56
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John B
Donegal Town, Ireland12 contributions
Words cannot explain this place and it's creator/host, it simply has to be seen to be appreciated.
Sep 2021
Carl was a superb host. What he has done with this barren piece of ground cannot be explained in words.
It has to be seen by you and explained by Carl to understand what has been achieved here.
Please go visit even if you are not a huge fan of gardening.
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
M0l
Ireland13 contributions
Amazing place
Aug 2021 • Friends
Just amazing. Behind every corner is just more and more. You can see all the hard work he has put into it and we had such a great day there despite the rain. Carl is a great tour guide. Thoroughly recommend for any garden enthusiast. You won’t be disappointed. I’ll have to return in April to see the daffodils….
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
StillorganSteve
Dublin, Ireland78 contributions
Wow
Jun 2021 • Couples
Stumbled on this extraordinary garden while out walking through the Caher Valley. Absolutely stunning. Carl Wright is so knowledgeable and gives a comprehensive insight into how he literally carved the garden out of the Burren wilderness. An extraordinary odyssey through the vagaries of terrain and climate. I’ve never seen anything quite like it
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Harry C
Aghadowey, UK37 contributions
Words cannot describe this treasure.
Jun 2021
Carl's garden is simply stunning. His guided tour tells its magical evolution. This place and its creator deserve a whole television series all to themselves.
Written 30 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Catherine
4 contributions
Paradise garden
Jul 2019 • Couples
Absolutely beautiful garden & thank you Carl for being so informative and inspirational. It was a joy to walk around and to learn how this magnificent garden was created. Came home with loads of ideas, truly a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Thank you for sharing your time & beautiful garden. Catherine Sheils
Written 29 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carl w
Thanks very much Catherine for taking a moment to leave such a positive review of your visit here. Good to know you enjoyed it and returned home with lots of ideas and inspiration. I wish you lots of success with all those ideas and hope you'll return one day to get some more! :-) Kindest regards. Carl.
Written 1 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Daniela K
Houston, TX2 contributions
Magical garden!
Jul 2019 • Friends
This fantastic garden is the definition of a labor of love. Carl has passionately and painstaking designed every aspect of the garden and will guide you through with a charming and self-deprecating narrative of his failures and successes. The garden is lush and surprising like a jazz improvisation. Carl has forged beauty out of what should be an inhospitable landscape. Ponds, ferns, hydrangeas, wildflowers, meadows! Do not miss it!
Written 17 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carl w
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your visit here. As always, it is great to know that people enjoy their experience in the garden and such positive feedback helps drive the enthusiasm and determination to continue expanding the project! I hope you will be able to return one day in the future to see the progress. :-)
Written 22 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KLHouTX
1 contribution
High point of Ballyvaughan visit
Jul 2019 • Friends
This garden visit was a favorite part of our Houston group’s stay in the area. Starting with the water garden and bridge, each turn around every corner revealed another tier of plant magic and design. Tons of ferns, wild flowers, flowering bushes, and cool hawthorn trees— owner Carl’s enthusiasm and extensive knowledge made it especially festive and I wish I’d asked more questions about his favorite garden equipment. I will be bringing my family back; they owned a garden shop but I’m certain they haven’t seen anything as special as this spot.
Written 13 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carl w
Thanks a million for leaving a review of your visit, and so pleased you enjoyed it so much. Hope you get to visit again with the family some time in the future. Maybe some of the new projects will be finished by then. :-) Very best wishes. Carl.
Written 14 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JohnPam L
2 contributions
An oasis in the midst of the Burren limestone
Jul 2019
This garden is an amazing achievement - an incredible, magical place in midst of the (also) incredible Burren on the Irish Wild Atlantic Way. If you are taking a trip to the West coast of Ireland, skip the usual tourist traps and take the time to journey to this wonderful place. The owner Carl Wright has built this garden himself over the past 20 years out of the rocks of the Burren. And he gives a wonderful tour chock full of information about his creation that clearly illustrates his love of the land. What Carl has created here is absolutely astounding and not to be missed.
Written 5 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carl w
Thank you John and Pam for taking the time to write such a lovely a review of your visit here. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed your visit so much. Such positive feedback is very much appreciated and helps me to keep the project rolling along! :-) Hope one day you will be able to return again to see the progress.
Written 10 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sunnie Kim
3 contributions
Hidden Oasis in the Heart of the Burren
Jun 2019 • Couples
My boyfriend and I rang Carl late one evening to see if he’d be open to scheduling a tour for the next afternoon. We were worried that we were calling too late but Carl answered us with enthusiasm when we inquired about his garden and we scheduled a tour for 2pm the next day.
I can’t even begin to describe how lovely the 2 hour experience was in Caher Bridge. Carl took us around his entire 2 acre property and explained every stage of building, pointed out every plant with genuine enthusiasm and clear LOVE. It is obvious that this this garden is his obsession and it is a wonder for it.
There are some beautiful (carl-built!!!) water features and many rare plants including my favorite, a bee orchid which you really had to stick your face into the grass to see and every type of fern you can imagine from all parts of the globe.
Would not recommend bringing children as there are many one-of-kind plants in here but it is a must for garden enthusiasts. My boyfriend who is a self proclaimed “lover of yard work” also thoroughly enjoyed asking many questions about the process, all if which Carl answered with gusto.
Such a lovely lovely experience, the highlight of our ireland trip for sure. Thank you Carl!
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carl w
Wow! Thanks Sunnie for such nice comments. So pleased you both enjoyed your visit her on so many levels. It was lovely to meet you both and to be able to share my little project with you. Maybe one day you will return again to see the progress. Hope your whole experience here in Ireland was enjoyable. .. You were certainly lucky with the weather! Very best regards. Carl. :-)
Written 10 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
markmcc2375
Athlone, Ireland2 contributions
Tour of garden
May 2019 • Couples
Wonderful garden beautifully created in a challenging location which merges in to the Burren landscape almost seamlessly. Carl is an excellent guide and the variety and condition of the plants is extraordinary. Don’t miss it!
Written 28 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carl w
Thanks so much for taking the time to review your visit Mark. Pleased to hear that you enjoyed it so much. It was a pleasure to show you around. I hope you'll be back to see the progress one day. Your contribution and positive feedback is very much appreciated. Best regards. Carl.
Written 29 May 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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