Loughcrew Gardens

County Meath


Loughcrew Gardens incorporates 2.5 hectares of lawns, terraces and herbaceous borders along with a lime avenue, yew walk, canal and 'grotesque grotto' with tortured pillars, frescoes and fantasy sculptures. There's also a medieval moat, a tower house and St Oliver Plunkett's family church, plus a daily opening cafe in a log-built lodge, where you can pick up a key for Cairn T. Advance reservations are essential for its adventure centre, which incorporates an assault course, archery, a zipline and a climbing wall.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby County Meath attractions

1. Loughcrew Megalithic Centre

1.15 MILES

Centred on a collection of thatched cottages, the Loughcrew Megalithic Centre encompasses a museum detailing the megalithic wonders hereabouts, as well as…

2. Cairn T

1.45 MILES

At Carnbane East, Cairn T is 35m in diameter, with numerous carved stones. One of its outlying kerbstones, the Hag’s Chair, is covered in gouged holes,…

3. Fore Valley

5.07 MILES

Near the shores of Lough Lene, the emerald-green Fore Valley, 5km east of Castlepollard, is a superb place to explore by bicycle or on foot. In AD 630 St…

4. Tullynally Castle Gardens

8.35 MILES

The imposing Gothic-revival Tullynally Castle is the seat of the Pakenham family and, although closed to visitors, its 12 hectares of gardens and parkland…

5. Cavan County Museum

9.44 MILES

Located inside a former convent, this museum's wide-ranging collection includes a huge array of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century costumes and relics from the…

6. St Columba

10.81 MILES

The Protestant church of St Columba has a 30m-high 10th-century round tower on the southern side (today without its conical roof). In 1076 the high king…

7. St Colmcille's House

10.82 MILES

This solid structure is a survivor from the old monastic settlement. Its name is a misnomer, as it was built in the 10th century and St Colmcille was…

8. Market Cross

11.17 MILES

Until 1996, when it was relocated outside the courthouse on Headfort Pl, the Market Cross had stood for centuries in Cross St, at the heart of the town…