Day 1, Thursday 22 April

Arrive at accommodation.

A welcome communal supper at Denvir’s Hotel, Downpatrick

Day 2, Friday 23 April

Morning

Myra Castle, Strangford
The IDS last visited Myra Castle in 2012, so it will be interesting to return. We can see how the teenage Taiwania cryptomerioides (Taiwan cedar) we presented then is doing.

Myra is located on the southern shore of Strangford Lough, and was built by the Craig-Laurie family in 1844, but inherited unexpectedly by the Wallace family in 1900. The Craig-Lauries must have been responsible for planting most of the mature trees across the Estate. Regular planting seems to have stopped until the 1970s leaving a gap, but has been much increased from the mid 1990s onwards by David Good (IDS Member) and his family.

View from Myra to Strangford Lough with Rhododendron arboreum

Collapsing mixed plantations have been cleared and re-planted, mostly in oak. The land behind the castle which had long been neglected and become something of a green wilderness has also been cleared and re-planted in stages with a growing collection of different trees and shrubs including oak, lime, cherry, magnolia, cornus, rhododendron, camellia and plenty of unfashionable conifers to retain the Victorian character of the Estate.

Nothofagus fusca, Rhododendron (Matador group) ‘Matador’, R. ‘Grace Seabrook’, and R. morii at Myra

In essence, Myra is a mixture of the old and the new, but with those newer plantings, especially of magnolia and rhododendron now coming into their own.

Pub lunch at Balloo House, Balloo

Afternoon

Mahee Island, Comber
After lunch at Balloo we will head north following the shoreline of Strangford to Mahee Island, home of Julie and the late Paddy Mackie (parents of Tracy Hamilton Vice President for Ireland).

The approach to Mahee Island on Strangford Lough

A drowned drumlin on the west side of Strangford Lough, the garden was coaxed into existence by one individual over the course of a lifetime. Paddy Mackie began work on this windswept, barren landscape in 1959, slowly transforming it into an extraordinary 35-acre woodland garden.

The first trees planted were Scots and Corsican pine and sycamore. Silver birch, scarlet willow, Japanese larch and eucalyptus followed as well as Monterey pine and cypress, Norway maple, common cherry, beech and horse chestnut. Once the shelter belt was established, the island’s microclimate permitted the cultivation of a wide variety of tender subjects and southern hemisphere plants like echiums and tree ferns. There are wonderful plantings of eucalyptus, euchryphia species, and magnolias. It is best known however, for its collection of rhododendrons with extensive plantings of choice species and tender hybrids. Paddy was awarded the J. A. Waley medal in 2021 awarded annually by the RHS to an individual who has been involved with the practical cultivation of rhododendrons.

Rhododendron augustinii at Mahee

Supper at The Dufferin Arms, Killyleagh

Day 3, Saturday 24 April

Morning

Castlewellan Arboretum, Castlewellan
The IDS presented a plaque to Castlewellan Arboretum back in 2018 in recognition of its ‘unique heritage and importance’, and to help create awareness of the decline of the property.

Thankfully much has been achieved since then and in 2021 a £2.69 million grant from the National Lottery (with match funding from Newry & Mourne District Council who are responsible for the gardens) initiated a four-year restoration programme. Despite a serious setback with two massive storms in 2024 and 2025, the arboretum has now reopened and this is a wonderful opportunity to see all that has been achieved, especially as Neil, our guide was Consultant on the project.

Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ at Castlewellan Arboretum

We will also be guided by Alwyn Sinnamon, the Head Gardener. Castlewellan lies on the edge of the beautiful Mourne Mountains, just a few miles from the Irish Sea. The demesne dates from medieval times when the lands were held by the powerful Magennis family, who retained it until purchased by the Annesley family in 1741. It was Hugh Annesley, the 5th Earl of Annesley (1831–1908) who devoted his life to building up the present tree collection with the help of his Head Gardener Thomas Ryan. By the early 20th century there were over 3000 different species of rare plants from all over the world thriving in the garden.

An unnamed pre-1910 cross by Thomas Ryan, Head Gardener to 5th Earl Annesley of Rhododendron thomsonii and R. fortunei

Looking towards Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains from Castlewellan Arboretum

The number of extraordinary individual trees is too many to mention here but there are notable champions and specimens of Podocarpus, Juniperus, Torreya, Eucryphia, Cupressus, Drimys, Nothofagus, Abies and many other genera. Two fine Wellingtonia, Sequoiadendron giganteum – which are quite likely to have been in the first batch of trees released by the Veitch Nurseries, grown from seeds brought back from North America by William Lobb, survive – and flank the steps leading into the lower part of the arboretum. Castlewellan is an absolute treasure chest and a dendrological delight.

Lunch at Seaforde Café or The King’s Inn Castlewellan.

Afternoon

Seaforde Gardens
Website https://www.seafordegardens.com/

After lunch in the cafe we will visit Seaforde, home of Lady Anthea Forde (IDS member) and family. This wonderful estate with magnificent views up to the Mourne Mountains contains a garden filled with botanical treasures, many grown from wild collected material by the late Patrick Forde. He made many plant hunting trips to China, Africa and South America as well as eight expeditions to the Himalayas. Many of his plantings are reaching maturity, and grow happily at Seaforde.

Rhododendron suoilenhense

Seaforde gardens

The principal gardens are situated within and adjacent to the old walled garden, whose structure dates from the first half of the 18th century. One of the highlights is the hornbeam maze (Carpinus betulus) planted in 1975 to celebrate Anthea and Patrick’s 10th wedding anniversary. Within this protected space grow an array of semi tender and rare plants. One of the glories of the garden are the Eucryphias, and Seaforde hold the National Collection with over 20 different species and cultivars. A very successful IDS Study weekend on Eucryphia was held back in 2018 with the expertise of the late Seamus O’Brien and John Anderson. Other highlights include one of the very first Sequoiadendron giganteum to be grown in Ireland during the 1850s and 1860s, planted by The Rt. Hon Colonel William Forde MP.

Another notable champion is the vertically branched Crimean pine, Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana.

Supper, to be confirmed.

Day 4, Sunday 25 April

Optional visit to Mount Stewart, Newtownards (National Trust).

The Dodo Terrace at Mount Stewart, Newtownards

End of tour and departures.