Press release
Magnolia Week at National Botanic Gardens, Glesnevin and Kilmacurragh
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Published on
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In early March the gardens at Kilmacurragh are marked by the splendour of their magnificent Magnolia campbellii bursting into flower. The significance of the historic Magnolias at Kilmacurragh is down to the site’s long association with the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. The Acton family, who built Kilmacurragh, established a long and fruitful friendship with David Moore and later his son Sir Frederick Moore, successive curators at Glasnevin. From the early 1850s, the Moore’s advised the Acton family on gardening matters and suppled the latest introductions of the great plant hunters, particularly from the Himalayan range. For over 70 years a regular exchange of plants resulted in Kilmacurragh becoming one of the best stocked private gardens in these islands. Since taking over the management of the site in 1996, the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland have both restored, and greatly expanded the collection. Magnolia Week will showcase the highlights of the collection and explore the stories behind them. This year we have two fantastic in-person events: a walking tour of Kilmacurragh Gardens with Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener and Magnolia Expert Jim Gardiner. While in the auditorium in Glasnevin, Jim Gardiner will give an illustrated lecture on Magnolia Introductions from the UK and Europe and Collections of Excellence.
Kilmacurragh House is a protected structure of international importance. Sited close to the Wicklow Mountains, it is the centrepiece and focus of an important garden which is under the care of the National Botanic Gardens and run by OPW National Historic Properties. The house is a rare example of the Queen Anne style in Ireland and was built in 1697. Designed by Sir William Robinson and commissioned by Thomas Acton, the house was known as “Westaston House” from 1750 to 1850. The house and gardens remained in the Acton families’ hands from their inception at end of the 17th century until 1944 when sold by Charles Acton (1914–1999). The structure is of considerable historic and architectural interest.
Kilmacurragh is renowned for the remarkable gardens and plant collection established by the Acton family. The present collection is based on material collected by some of the great plant hunters of the nineteenth century from South America and Asia. Many of these plants were provided by the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. The tree and plant collection has been revitalised over the past 20 years, making the garden a mecca for plants people and garden visitors. The differing soil type (acidic) and higher rainfall makes this the perfect complimentary site to the collections at the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin. The Gardens became an official outpost of the National Botanic Gardens with its name change in 2010.