The award-winning Mount Congreve Gardens outside Waterford city will close early next month to allow a major re-development project aimed at turning the amenity into a world-class tourist destination.
The 70-acre gardens overlooking the River Suir beside Kilmeaden will close on 10 October and re-open next summer following a significant facelift.
Mount Congreve has been allocated funding of over €3.7 million under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund for several different improvements.
Money is also being made available by Fáilte Ireland and Waterford City and County Council.
Restoration of the estate, which is home to one of the largest private collections of plants in the world, will include repair of the historic greenhouse; improved access to the grounds and pathways; and a new visitor centre with more car-parking and family-friendly facilities.
Management will also be opening up previously-private areas of the estate to the public including parts of the main house which have never been available to the public before.
“There are exciting times ahead,” estate manager Ray Sinnott said, “for the historic Mount Congreve House and Gardens and we are very much looking forward to working on and unveiling the new visitor experience in 2022.”
