The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
A garden of presidential proportions.
10:00 – 17:00 Last Admission 16:00
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
A garden of presidential proportions.
10:00 – 17:00 Last Admission 16:00
Limited Access
Free Admission.
Toilets in Visitor Centre open, but closed daily 13:30 – 14:30 for cleaning. Field Toilets are not open.
Visitor Centre open to the public.
Guided Tours daily at 12:00 & 15:00. Meet outside the Visitor Centre. Tour Groups limited to 15 due to Covid-19 regulations.
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy, whose great-grandfather, Patrick, was born in the nearby village of Dunganstown, this arboretum near New Ross, County Wexford, contains a plant collection of presidential proportions.
It covers a massive 252 hectares on the summit and southern slopes of Slieve Coillte and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent. Of special note is an ericaceous garden with 500 different rhododendrons and many varieties of azalea and heather, dwarf conifers and climbing plants.
The lake is perhaps the most picturesque part of the arboretum and is a haven for waterfowl. There are amazing panoramic views from the summit of the hill, 271 metres above sea level. A visitor centre houses engaging exhibitions on JFK and on the Arboretum itself.
Highlights
Gallery
Opening Times
Arboretum open October – March 10:00 – 17:00 .
Last Admission 16:00
Average Length of Visit: 1.5 hours.
Seasonal Opening Times
- October – March
Daily 10:00 – 17:00 (Main Arboretum)
- April
Daily 10:00 – 18:30
- May – August
Arboretum open September -10:00 – 18:30.
Last Admission 18:00.
- September
Daily 10:00 – 18:30
Last admission 17:30
Contact
Ballysop
New Ross
Co. Wexford
Y34 KA48
0469423490
jfkarboretum@opw.ie
Facilities
- Bike Trail
- Cafe
- Car park
- Exhibition
- Guided tours
- Interpretive exhibit
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Toilets
- Walking trails
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Wheelchair Accessible Toilet
Restrictions
- Uneven walkways
Nearby sites to visit
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Ballyhack Castle
Savour a sense of the Middle Ages
Approx. 8.7 km from The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Tintern Abbey
Where monks toiled and legacies were created
Approx. 11.4 km from The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
Reginald’s Tower
Step inside Ireland’s oldest civic building
Approx. 13.5 km from The John F. Kennedy Arboretum
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Permanent Orienteering Courses
We have four Permanent Orienteering Courses for our visitors to choose from (see attached) designed in conjunction with IOA (Irish Orienteering Ireland)
Short
Medium
Long
Wheel-O (Buggy/Wheelchair Accessible)
Answers