Irish National Stud & Gardens
Irish National Stud & Gardens
Irish National Stud & Gardens
4.5
09:00 - 18:00
Monday
09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 18:00
Thursday
09:00 - 18:00
Friday
09:00 - 18:00
Saturday
09:00 - 18:00
Sunday
09:00 - 18:00
About
The Irish National Stud combines an active role in the development & promotion of Irish thoroughbred bloodstock & as one of the country's major tourist attractions. Located in the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred county, Co. Kildare, the Irish National Stud & Gardens is one of Ireland’s true treasures. Beginning in the early 1900s, the stud has produced some of the finest racehorses in Europe. It is one of the only thoroughbred breeding farms open to the public & its unique history & beauty are admired by visitors from around the globe. Visitors can view immaculately bred stallions & admire protective mares alongside their frolicking foals. There is also an opportunity to meet retired equine stars like Faugheen & Beef or Salmon on the stud’s ‘Living Legend's’ team. A visit to the stud’s new interactive centre, ‘The Irish Racehorse Experience’ truly brings to life the worlds of these magnificent animals. The grounds are also home to the Japanese Gardens & St Fiachras Garden.
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4.5
1,811 reviews
Excellent
1,290
Very good
390
Average
87
Poor
27
Terrible
17
Tony E
Switzerland568 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We really enjoyed our visit, especially the guided tour of the stud and the Japanese garden. The guided tour is a must - you’ll learn so much about the breeding of thoroughbred horses, the economics of racing them, and much else besides. I had met Arkle, the greatest steeplechaser of all time, as a veterinary student in the 1960s; how poignant to be reunited with his skeleton now! If you do visit the Japanese garden, don’t be misled by the term ‘Easy Route’. Both pathways through the garden are only for the nimble footed!
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L Z
Park City, UT134 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We were lucky enough to fit this in before our trip to the airport and I wish we'd had 2 or 3 more hours. It is an incredible facility. The animals are clearly well looked after. We missed the gardens because I lingered too long in the interactive experience and visiting the horses :)
There were lots of babies and moms as they haven't been weaned yet this time of year. The weather was gorgeous which made for an even better experience.
The food was good and they had plenty of gluten free options.
Our baby even got to pet a million dollar retired race horse (exercising caution of course) he LOVED it.
Incredible to see.
There were lots of babies and moms as they haven't been weaned yet this time of year. The weather was gorgeous which made for an even better experience.
The food was good and they had plenty of gluten free options.
Our baby even got to pet a million dollar retired race horse (exercising caution of course) he LOVED it.
Incredible to see.
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptainNancy
Oxford1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
Thoroughly enjoyed the race horse experience and tour of the stud. Although we already own a race horse we learnt lots of things we didn’t know. The gardens were beautiful too and were able to take our dogs round with us too. The trip to the stud was the high light of our holiday!
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
homeOffice
bed3106 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Great day out. We know nothing about horses or racing and found this an excellent day out. The tour was informative, the Irish Racehorse Experience was fabulous fun and the Japanese gardens very peaceful.
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeanDublin m
Bray, Ireland176 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
We had a wonderful 4 hours here on Monday last 15th May.
We visited St. Fiachra's Garden first then did The National Stud Guided Tour with Natacha who was really brilliant at giving us a 5 star tour and explaining everything they do with the horses. The foals were in the fields with the mares and it was so lovely to see. What a great treat. Then we went into The Japanese Gardens which was an oasis of calm and much appreciated by us. We had a great chat with Sinead another member of Staff who was just so nice to us.
Because we were staying in The Club @ Goffs we got a special 20% discount when we booked online so look out for these in the local Discover Ireland Centres or in your accommodation.
We loved this super attraction and highly recommend it for an amazing day out.
We visited St. Fiachra's Garden first then did The National Stud Guided Tour with Natacha who was really brilliant at giving us a 5 star tour and explaining everything they do with the horses. The foals were in the fields with the mares and it was so lovely to see. What a great treat. Then we went into The Japanese Gardens which was an oasis of calm and much appreciated by us. We had a great chat with Sinead another member of Staff who was just so nice to us.
Because we were staying in The Club @ Goffs we got a special 20% discount when we booked online so look out for these in the local Discover Ireland Centres or in your accommodation.
We loved this super attraction and highly recommend it for an amazing day out.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary F
1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
The wholeexperience was fantastic. Myself and my husband went along with our daughter and her boyfriend. We had an absolute blast. The four of us had The Irish Racehourse Experience. We laughed all the time and had such a great time. The surroundings and overall experience was the best we have had in such a long time . I would highly reccommend it.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael P
Lightwater, UK131 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
DO NOT MISS THIS TREAT
From the moment we arrived this was clearly an experience to recommend.
Every person and member of staff we met were courteous and welcoming; clearly going above and beyond at every opportunity.
A special highlight was the informative and interesting Stud Tour hosted by ‘Jamie’, what a treat! His knowledge and humour were excellent.
Finally, the restaurant should be praised for the quality of offering as well as the cheerful nature of service. The sweet treats were both delicious and generous.
And then there are the horses … …
From the moment we arrived this was clearly an experience to recommend.
Every person and member of staff we met were courteous and welcoming; clearly going above and beyond at every opportunity.
A special highlight was the informative and interesting Stud Tour hosted by ‘Jamie’, what a treat! His knowledge and humour were excellent.
Finally, the restaurant should be praised for the quality of offering as well as the cheerful nature of service. The sweet treats were both delicious and generous.
And then there are the horses … …
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FestiveChicken
1 contribution
May 2023
Absolutely gorgeous grounds and horses. Kildare is a quaint town , with amazing and friendly people. I felt the stress of our trip, and the loss of my own Thoroughbred seep from my body the moment I stepped onto the paths leading to the pastures. We will be back
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derek H
Dublin, Ireland7 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Went with kids and grandparents. For the price it really doesn't match up with other
similar places. Not helped by staff in the entrance being rude and extremely unhelpful. Food is actually better than other reviews say but really the staff let it down. Very slow and as I said quite rude and abrupt. Actual gardens are below average which was a shame. Blarney Castle and gardens being the gold standard. For thos price money would be better spent at the zoo
similar places. Not helped by staff in the entrance being rude and extremely unhelpful. Food is actually better than other reviews say but really the staff let it down. Very slow and as I said quite rude and abrupt. Actual gardens are below average which was a shame. Blarney Castle and gardens being the gold standard. For thos price money would be better spent at the zoo
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Godfather31
Cork, Ireland4 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Amazing gardens and great drinks plus fun activities! Lots of horses to see and feed! ponds,rivers and waterfalls!!!!
Written 15 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GSMurdock
Chicago, IL11 contributions
About how much time should we alot for a guided tour and then see the gardens? 60 - 90 min?
Deirdre M
Dungarvan, Ireland177 contributions
I would allow 2-3 hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. There is also a wonderful interactive exhibit that gives lots of information and is well-worth seeing if you're a racing fan. And there is a wonderful cafe for lunch. I made an entire afternoon of my visit.
How much does it cost to see gardens and national stud
DavidWardellINS
Kildare2 contributions
Hi, yes above is correct, €12.50, Family €29.50 (2 Adults, 4 Children under 16) under five free Student/senior €9.50
Public tour at the moment are 10.30, 12, 2, 4 and will be more regular in June.
David
Corryed
Ennis5 contributions
What is the best time of the year to visit
DavidWardellINS
Kildare2 contributions
This is my favorite time to visit as it is the foaling season. We have had over 80 born this season and expect around 250 before the end of May!
Bairbre U
3 contributions
Is there much to do and see for kids ?
Jill K
Dublin, Ireland50 contributions
Yes! Nice playground but also young kids the Japanese Gardens as they can walk along the stepping stones in the stream to caves and other little hideaways.
The fairy walk in st. Fiachra’s garden is a major hit too with lots of fairy doors and little descriptions of each of the fairies.
Could we walk from kildare town centre to this place?
Michael B
Bacup, UK181 contributions
it's a lovely walk, 2.1 kilometers or about 1.3 miles
Kim C
Umina Beach, Australia109 contributions
Just wondering what companies do day trips from Dublin to the Farm and to Kilkenney ?
DavidWardellINS
Kildare2 contributions
Hi, The easiest way to get to us is either by train and there is a free shuttle service from Kildare Station that also includes The Kildare Village shopping outlet. There is also many buses to The Kildare Village and one that stop outside our door.
Kind regards
David
Tourism Development Manager
kicpac12
Lakeland, FL
Are there any tours going to this place on April 17. On cruise ship brillance of the seas.
DavidWardellINS
Kildare2 contributions
Hi, Yes there are public tours going on 10.30 Am, Midday, 2 PM and 4 PM. These tours are included with the entrance fee. Private tours can be organised outside these times by prior appointment. For further details you can contact us through our website
Kind regards
David
Katia F
Savona, Italy107 contributions
Hello, are the Japanese Garden free or to visit them you have to pay the ticket?
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
IRISH NATIONAL STUD & GARDENS (Tully) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Irish National Stud & Gardens
- Irish National Stud & Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sat 09:00 - 18:00
- We recommend booking Irish National Stud & Gardens tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Irish National Stud & Gardens tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Irish National Stud & Gardens:
- (1.43 km) Silken Thomas
- (1.27 km) Kildare House Hotel
- (1.17 km) Kilroan House B&B
- (13.19 km) Moate Lodge
- (1.37 km) Cunningham's Guesthouse
- Restaurants near Irish National Stud & Gardens:
- (0.12 km) Japanese Gardens Café
- (1.51 km) Hartes Of Kildare
- (1.43 km) Silken Thomas
- (1.39 km) Saba
- (8.36 km) Jaipore