I have a full day in Dublin before I start the Best of Ireland tour and I'm interested in Powerscourt gardens. (It will also be my birthday). I will not have a car, so I'm looking for transportation options. Has anyone been there? What was your means of transportation? Did you go on a tour or take the train? What did you think of the gardens? How long did you visit? My husband and I love gardens, so we'd like to spend some time here if the weather is good. Thanks
Posted by
Orono, Maine
89 posts
When I was on the Best of Ireland tour a couple of years ago, in May, I took this day tour to Powerscourt and Glendalough: https://www.dublinsightseeing.ie/southcoast-tour .
Both destinations were definitely worthwhile and we had a good amount of time at both sites to walk around and to get a bite to eat, if desired (the cafe near Glendalough was good). When I was there the rhododendrons at Powerscourt were blooming beautifully.
Posted by
Kansas, United States
1081 posts
I visited there 4 years ago and we loved it, we had rented a car so I don't know about public transportation but I have used Viator in many European country's and have had excellent luck with them. Just google Viator tours and go to Ireland and day trips from Dublin. I truly love Ireland, it's my favorite place in all of Europe.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
This link might help: https://powerscourt.com/plan-your-visit/location
Although there isn't an easy way to get to the Gardens by rail, there are frequent buses (# 185 & #44) which will drop you in the village of Enniskerry which is a 20 minute walk away. Takes about an hour to get there from Dublin center and cost is approx. 3 Euros each way.
There's also the Dublin Bus South Coast tour which the Gardens website recommends.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA
128 posts
Thanks, Janet, for posting this question and thanks, Kathy for the information about a tour to these gardens. We will have several days before our tour starts in May and it’s great to have these tips to consider. Among our favorite things to do when we visit a place is to tour gardens, so we will be adding this to our itinerary. Happy travels!
Posted by
89 posts
We visited Powerscourt back in 2007 and it is a lovely place. Both husband and I were really impressed by the Japanese Garden there. We had our own rental car, so no advice I can share in that aspect.
In Bray, there is Kilruddery House & Gardens, which we visited in '07 as well. Not quite the showplace that Powerscourt is, we thought it was worth the effort to visit it.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Janet,
I took the Best of Ireland tour several years ago, and the tour stopped at Powerscourt Gardens for a few hours. They must have eliminated that from more recent tours.
You could travel there on your own using the method suggested in an earlier reply, or take a more organized tour that includes the gardens such as this one - https://powerscourt.com/plan-your-visit/tours .