Wednesday, 29 July 2026

The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin

The National Botanic Gardens

The Botanic gardens are located in Glasnevin in Dublin.

You can combine a visit here with a visit to the historic Glasnevin cemetery which is adjacent and can be accessed from within the botanic gardens through a separate gate.

Entry to the Botanic Gardens is free as is entry to Glasnevin cemetery.

It is a great day out, the gardens have developed beautifully and the works have extended the displays considerably since last I was there, well over two decades ago.

Put simply, stunning landscapes and plants in a wonderfully bucolic setting.

Keep the wheels turning.

The contemporary Round Tower in Glasnevin Cemetery beneath which is housed the tomb of Daniel O'Connell.

Watch out for the flesh eating carnivorous plants and the philosophers step.

Sidney Squirrel.

A Pine reaching for the sky.

Tina and Tommy Turtle.

Harry the young Heron.

A Victorian/Edwardian style shelter.

The entrance gates.

The original old Iron entrance turnstiles.

It was wonderful to see them still there, a nice reminder of a bygone era.

The river Tolka seems healthy with numerous Trout seen on our visit.

Mickey and Millie the Moorhen fledglings.

A castellated Tower in adjacent Glasnevin Cemetery.

The walled Fruit gardens.

The Rose garden.

Socrates.....he looks nothing like the Brazilian soccer player I remember.

There is a step in one of the Glass houses with a plaque celebrating the visit of a later philosopher if you can locate it.

The 12 Apostles of Julianstown, Meath

The Apostle Stone of Julianstown

Julianstown in County Meath was once a thriving and industrious little hamlet.

There were very many Mills located on the banks of the River Nanny.

While I haven't fully explored the locale, today it seems as if most of the old village has disappeared along with its various Mills and Kilns.

There are however several historical points of interest dotted about Julianstown, not least among them the "Twelve Apostles of Julianstown."

These are the figures carved alongside what once served as a tomb.

It is also known as the "Apostle Stone."

Julianstown lies near the Meath coastline just inside Meath and North of County Dublin.

The Stone is located in Saint Mary's Church of Ireland which is just a little off the old main Dublin road and easy to locate.

The Church was closed on my visit but apparently there are some beautiful Stained Glass Windows inside, and I believe, an old Font probably of medieval origin.