Ballyedmond Castle gardens

~ Ashley

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Looking north into the Mourne Mountains shrouded in cloud

Just before May Day, we were able to visit these gardens.  They are private gardens and are only open to the public about half a dozen times per year.  Even then one probably only finds out about opening via membership of a gardening club, or as in my case, through a local wildlife group member who is also an RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) member.  Many thanks Lee!  Only 30 people can visit at any one time and no photographs are allowed to be taken of the house (castle).

The castle is situated on the north shore of Carlingford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland.

I will add a link at the end of this post if you are interested in the house and gardens, as they have a varied history.

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Their own temple, where even the Gods can’t get a signal.

Their own harbour and possibly a heli-pad

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Their own bandstand

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Entrance to the Orangery where we had afternoon tea

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“Hurry up, chaps!  Tea is served”

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“Hoping you have had a pleasant visit”

By the way, it rained almost all of the time we were there!  Typical, as the following day the sun shone!  Au Contraire!

Ashley

https://lordbelmontinnorthernireland.blogspot.com/2012/11/ballyedmond-castle.html

71 thoughts on “Ballyedmond Castle gardens”

  2. Such gorgeous, verdant gardens and grounds, Ashley. And the rainy skies certainly add some character to the setting, making everything appear more lush. Sounds as though you had quite an enjoyable time. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us, my friend. Ireland is stunningly beautiful through your eyes. 🌲😊🌳

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  4. Thank you, Asley, for such a interesting tour of this beautiful castle and the gardens. As you mentioned, good to be well connected! Only the rain?

    We had a storm and a torrential rain!

    Joanna

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    1. Dear Joanna, thank you for dropping by. I read about the storms in the south of England. We had heavy rain that day which gave the visit lots of atmosphere. ☔💌💐🙋‍♂️

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    1. Dear Marina, the “temple” was floored in marble, also the bandstand! The gardens lie between the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland and the Cooley Mountains in the Republic of Ireland and mobile signals are a sometimes problematic. ☔🌷🙋‍♂️

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    1. Hi Mark, good to hear from you. It is a stunning location but needing a stunning amount of money for its upkeep! PS. It’s raining again. ☔😞🙋‍♂️

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  9. Thanks Sharon! Yes, the statue looked just right for that! Most people were looking at the marble floor; trust me to look up! Hoping you get some dry weather this weekend; it’s been raining here all day! ☔🙋‍♂️

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  11. What a gorgeous place. I love your photo of the Mourne Mountains in the distance. Your comment about the god trying to get a signal made me laugh. :D

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    1. I couldn’t resist that one especially since the area is known for “roaming” charges being so close to the (border) that isn’t there!

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      2. Yes! That’s happened to me when on holiday there! We were at South Stack, fabulous! Loved Anglesey although we’ve not been there since before Covid!

  14. That looks truly beautiful. Glad you could go, even with rain the pictures are great.
    Rain these days is pretty often…..I enjoyed going with you around, thank you. ❤️😊🙏

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    1. It has been such a wet start to the years, many flowers are late. Thank you, Ute, for your comments 🤗💐🙋‍♂️

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    1. Dear Sunra, my photo doesn’t really do it justice. I did a short video which I put up on YouTube! I might just post it here as well, if I can add a few lines of verse! Thanks for your comments 🤗💕

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    1. It’s great to go somewhere that few people visit. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great & many flowers are late here. Thank you, Andrea for your comments 🤗🌹🙋‍♂️

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  17. Despite the damp weather the photos are inspiring! Thanks for sharing and you were fortunate to be able to pay a visit to such a splendid place.

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    1. Thank you, Elaine for your visit here & your lovely comments. Gardens are always fascinating. The backdrop of the Mourne Mountains & the foreground of Carlingford Lough gave them a wonderful atmosphere. 🤗🙋‍♂️

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  18. What a stunningly gorgeous place, Ashley. Your photos, even on a rainy day, are beautiful. The Orangery looks like an amazing building, and how lovely to have afternoon tea there. I love the photos of the temple with the God who can’t get a signal (wonderful humour) and also of the bandstand. It reminds me of the bandstand we had in our local park when I grew up in London. They would often have live bands and concerts there. I should think, by now, that it’s probably in poor repair. I’d love to go back and take a look one day. Thank you for sharing your visit to this wonderful place with us. It must have made for a very memorable day. X 😘

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    1. Thank you Ellie, for your lovely comments. It’s unlikely that we will return to these gardens as the opening times are very restrictive, however, that wonderful visit will always remain with us!. Thank you for visiting my blog, 🤗😘🌹🙏

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  20. Oh, so pretty despite the rain. Love all the green and the flowers. I do wonder how brighter everything can be when there is sun. Here, it has been mostly gray too and I’m slowly worrying that I’m being cheated out of Spring.

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    1. It is good to hear from you & know that you are okay! Since our visit to this garden the weather has been mostly dry & warm & we’ve been in our tiny garden rushing to tidy things up before the weather changes again! Summer has arrived. Warm wishes to both of you. 🤗🙋‍♂️

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  22. Ashley, I really like this beautiful, large, green garden. I would like to sit on the white benches under the trees and enjoy the wonderful view of the lake. I’m sure everyone can relax in this quiet garden, even if they’re just a visitor. Thanks for this wonderful post.

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    1. Hi Bridgette, thank for your visit here. The setting is also wonderful, between the Mourne Mountains, Carlingford Lough & the Cooley Mountains.

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  25. So lovely, Ashley! It’s a gift to visit Ireland through your pictures! I laughed at your joke about “…even the gods can’t get a signal.”

    When I got my first cell phone the only way I could get service in my apartment was by standing in the corner of the dining room facing the wall, as if I were a child that had been put in a “time out.” LOL

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    1. Thank you, Melanie, for your lovely comments. I was in two minds about the “god not getting a signal”. It was nearly about the god taking a selfie! 🤣

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    1. Bienvenido a Irlanda del Norte. Gracias por tu lindo comentario.

      (I hope Google has said my words correctly 🤗🙋‍♂️)

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    1. Thank you, Friedrich, for your wonderful comments. The rain brings a different atmosphere to the photos, although this island is rather used to its effects! ☔

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  28. What a beautiful place to visit! I have made friends with an Irish lady and my other neighbor has gone to visit Ireland twice since we’ve met and now I’m inspired to visit some time when we are not so busy. ☘️🍄🦦🦄

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    1. Thank you, Morag, for your lovely comments here. Be sure to visit Northern Ireland; it’s just a 2-3 hour ferry journey from Stranraer/Cairnryan to Larne on our beautiful east coast. 🤗🙋‍♂️

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      2. We’ve travelled so little since the Covid year but I still want to return to Dumfries & Galloway, lots we’ve not explored there.

    1. I’m sure you’d love it. The Republic of Ireland being bigger has some beautiful scenery but of course here in Northern Ireland (UK) we also have some gems.

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    1. Thanks Nan, this post is a year old today and it’s been raining again! ☔ Wishing you good luck and good weather for the weekend! 📚📖📚

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