‘Leaf Peeping’ in Waterford

County Waterford is home to a variety of 14 gardens to visit which, in total, span over 2,000 acres of woodlands. This is in addition to the walking trails in the Comeragh and Knockmealdown mountain ranges, and woodland foothills, alongside 46km of Waterford’s Greenway, which are all open to the public.

Leaves can change their colour from as early as mid-September through early November. Typically, the second and third weeks of October are the peak times. Estate Director at Mount Congreve Gardens Ray Sinnott says:

“Depending on where you live and of course the weather conditions, the timing can change, but this is the typical season. This year we had so much rain, and the foliage is really beautiful, so getting out to enjoy the fruits of autumn is highly recommended this year.”

The vivid leaf colours were actually hidden underneath the green all along, and as sunlight decreases and cold increases, tree growth slows, and the production of green chlorophyll in their leaves begins to slow, revealing fall leaves’ brilliant yellow, orange and red.

The Tallest Tree in Ireland is located in Lord Waterford's Estate at Curraghamore, it is a Sitka Spruce and stands at 49 metres or 160 feet tall and has a circumference of 6.5 metres.

At nearby Mount Congreve Gardens, which is located just 10 minutes from Waterford City on the Waterford Greenway, there are 70 acres of woodland gardens with 16 kilometres of walking trails and a “buggy tour”.

Heading towards the west of the county along the Waterford Greenway is a feast for the senses as the old railway line converted to a new cycling and walking trail cuts through the land, offering valleys filled with greenery and viaducts through the tree tops.

Reaching the west of the county, Lismore Castle Gardens are the oldest cultivated gardens in Ireland. The entrance is through The Reilig garden, which is so called because there is a medieval graveyard in this area. Some of the walls around this garden date back to the 13th century. The Upper Garden, a 17th-century walled garden, was constructed by Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork.

Close by are “Grand Design” type houses, gardens and landscapes all along the Blackwater Valley, including Dromana House and Gardens, Cappoquin House and Gardens, Salterbridge House and Gardens and Tourin House and Gardens.

For further details on the best autumn breaks in Waterford and where you can best enjoy some leaf peeping this autumn in Waterford, see visitwaterford.com.