The National Botanic Gardens Of Ireland, Dublin


by Mary Fok-Seang - Date: 2008-06-30 - Word Count: 587 Share This!

Location…

National Botanic Gardens are located in Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

History…

The year was 1790, and after the persistence of John Foster (The Speaker of the House), the Irish Parliament granted funds to the Royal Dublin Society to set up a public botanic garden. The aim of the project was to promote a scientific approach in the study of agriculture. However it wasn't until 1795 that the gardens were finally founded on lands at Glasnevin.

By 1838 the basic layout of the gardens had been put in place. Curator at the time, Ninian Niven, made out a network of roads and paths, and strategically positioned many of the garden features which are still present today.

As time passed it was felt that some type of permanent structure was needed to house the ever-increasing number of plants from tropical areas. And so 1843 saw the start of the Curvilinear glasshouse. The work was mainly that of ironmaster Richard Turner and the glasshouse eventually opened in 1849.

What can you see here today?

What can you expect when you pay a visit to the National Botanic Gardens?
You don't have to be a horticulturist to appreciate the beauty and splendour that is the National Botanic Gardens. As you stroll along the walkways, you'll see a huge variety of plants and flowers including palms, dahlias, chrysanthemums, carpet beds, tropical borders, daffodils, tulips, roses, ferns, trees, hardy-half annuals, bedding plants, gymnosperms (conifers and cycads), monocotyledons (flowering plant), dicotyledons (seed leaves) and of course not forgetting our exotic friends in the glasshouses.

Also on site is the Library, which houses a massive collection of 14,000 books and 800 journals on of course the subjects of botany and horticulture. You'll also find archives on the history of horticulture in Ireland and on the flora of Ireland here. However, this Library is not open to the general public, it's purely a research library for the staff of the Botanic Gardens. Horticulturists, students and researchers may use the library but must apply to the librarian in advance.

The Herbarium is another important building in the gardens. There are more that half a million documented and dried examples of plants from Ireland and the rest of the world in the Herbarium. There are more than 20,000 samples of fruits, seeds, wood, fibres, plant extracts and artefacts held here too. Again the general public do not have access to this building.

If you have a little time to spare, a welcome cup of tea might be in order. Pop into the Visitor Centre and re-charge the batteries in the Botanic Gardens Restaurant. While here, take note of the 12 portraits on the walls. These are of scientists and innovators who made major headway in botany. You cant miss the imposing head of the Giant Irish Deer either, last seen alive in Ireland between 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.

Planning a visit?

The National Botanic Gardens are open all year round except Christmas Day. There's no entrance fee and you can also avail of a free tour of the gardens every Sunday at either 12 noon or 2.30pm. Pre-arranged tours can be organised at an extra cost of about 2.00 Euro per person. For more information check out the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland website.

How to get here…

The best way to get here is probably by bus. Check out the following bus routes:

4 (St. Vincent's Hospital, Lansdowne Road {Jury's}, O' Connell Street / Ballymun)
13 (Merrion Square, Pearse St, O'Connell St. / Poppintree)
19 (Bulfin road, Leonard's Corner, O'Connell St. / Jamestown Rd., Tolka estate)
83 (Kimmage {Sundrive road, Rathmines} / Harristown {Ballygall Road East})

Related Tags: gardens, parks, dublin, dublin city, botanic gardens, national botanic gardens of ireland

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Mary Fok-Seang writes for Ireland travel website www.GoIreland.com

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