The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to announce the return of the ever popular Snowdrop Month to the beautiful Altamont Gardens in Tullow, Co. Carlow.

Snowdrop month will run from 1 to 28 February this year.  With over 150 named varieties of snowdrops, this collection is amongst the largest in Ireland.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the 40-acre estate, situated on the banks of the river Slaney, and enjoy the enchanting blend of formal, informal, and wild gardens rich in biodiversity.

Welcoming this announcement, the Chairman of the Office of Public Works, John Conlon commented: “After a tough winter with challenging weather events it’s great to be now getting into spring.  We can already begin to see the first signs across the country and at Altamont Gardens seeing the snowdrops in full bloom is one of the welcome early indicators of spring and truly a sight to behold in this beautiful setting”.

Known as the romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont Gardens is one of the top Irish gardens.  It is often referred to as “the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown” and attracted over 100,000 visitors in 2024. The gardens, cultivated since the 1750s and gifted to the nation by Corona North, are in the care of the OPW and looked after by Head Gardener, Paul Whyte, and the OPW team at Altamont.

The gardens open daily from 9am to 4.30pm and are composed of beautiful lawns sloping down to a romantic lake surrounded by rare trees, rhododendrons, and shrubs.  Entry is free with free tours available at 2pm every Monday to Friday during February. Group tours can also be accommodated by appointment. Visitors can take a fascinating walk through the Arboretum, the Big Garden, and the Ice Age Glen, leading to the majestic River Slaney with breath taking views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains.

This Snowdrop Month is a perfect opportunity to witness the beauty of Altamont Gardens and celebrate the arrival of Spring in a tranquil and picturesque setting.