Garden-visiting is a growing social and leisure activity, and the owners of the main private gardens open to the public in Co Wexford have jointly produced a useful guide to what they offer.
The seven gardens included range from the north to the south of the county, and from the seven acres of Kilmokea Gardens at Great Island, Campile, to the 0.75-hectare Ram House Garden at Coolgreany, Gorey. The brochure includes a map pinpointing the location of the gardens and detailed directions, opening hours, meal facilities and charges.
Helen Miller, whose 80-yearold mature two-acre garden is at Shortalstown, Killinick, in the extreme south-east of the county, says the guide will be particularly useful for the increasing number of garden visitors who participate in organised group visits, touring several gardens in a day's outing.
Some of the gardens offer an extensive range of plants for sale; some offer picnic facilities and some have tea-rooms. All welcome accompanied children but none will admit dogs. The brochure is embellished with a delicate drawing of Crocosmia.
Inquiries to 053-58836 or 05483349.