Both the Organic and Ornamental Gardens are situated within the three-acre walled garden of Enniscoe House which was first laid out in the 1840s. Today the garden is divided into two parts; one acre of ornamental garden and two acres of organic fruit and vegetables garden.
The garden was certified organic in 1995, making it the one of the oldest certified organic gardens in the country. Through the hard work of a small team, the garden produces over 40 different varieties of organic fruit and vegetables, in open plots and 4 large polytunnels.
The garden grows hops which are used by a local small brewery to produce an organic ale, and produces its own apple juice from the heritage apple trees in the garden. Last year our organic seed was certified organic. Produce, juice, seeds and plants are all available to purchase.
Today the 1 acre ornamental garden consists of gravel paths around planted beds which include many heritage plants, a beautiful rockery area and the beautiful stone arch that leads through to the organic garden. The historic 19th century garden layout was brought back to life in the 1990s.
Few traces remain of the original 18th gardens but in the period 1840 to 1950 three generations of the family were keen and knowledgeable gardeners. The 1838 Ordnance Survey map shows the propagating house, the orangery, diagonal paths, and an orchard outside. By the 1870s the orangery had gone, and had been replaced with glass houses and a new heating system.
After 1950 the gardens fell into decline, and the last head gardener died in 1965. Although the family tried to keep the gardens going it was not possible to do very much. The gates finally closed sometime in the 1970s.
It was not until the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme was launched in 1995 that the decision was taken to work again in the gardens. By that time the ornamental garden was overgrown with brambles and other weeds, sapling ash and sycamore, and was well past the stage of being a romantic ‘hidden treasure’ as it was once described by a visitor.
After three years of hard work the garden was officially opened to the public in 1999.
Both the ornamental and organic gardens are open to the public and are free to enter.
The North Mayo Heritage Centre is open from April to October each year
Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 4pm
Friday 10am to 2.30pm
Entrance to the Gardens is free of charge
The Market Stall in the Organic Garden is open all year round, Tuesday to Thursday, from 12 pm to 3.30pm.