National Botanic Gardens

Lonely Planet review

This 19.5-hectare treasure is a delightful blend of exoticism and tousled gentility. Although only established in 1795, the area was used as a garden long before it was christened so, and the area of Yew Walk (Addison's Walk) features trees dating back to the first half of the 18th century.

The architectural highlight in the gardens is a series of curvilinear glasshouses that date from 1843 to 1869. They were created by Dubliner Richard Turner, who was also responsible for creating the Palm House at London's Kew Gardens. Within these Victorian masterpieces, you will find the latest in botanical technology, including a series of computer-controlled climates that reproduce environments from different parts of the world.

The gardens also have a palm house, which was built in 1884. Among the pioneering botanical work conducted here was the first attempt to raise orchids from seed, back in 1844. Pampas grass and the giant lily were first grown in Europe in these gardens.