Once again, Helen Dillon will open her worldfamous garden and house as part of the festival. She has spent the last 35 years creating one of the most beautiful town gardens in Ireland. Set around a canal surrounded by Irish limestone, the mixed borders of shrubs and herbaceous perennials reveal unusual plants and exciting colour combinations, including rarities such as lady’s slipper orchids or doubled-flowered Trillium. On the sunken terrace, terracotta pots sprout more rare plants. Clumps of angel’s fishing rods (Dierama) arch over the sphinxes and a small alpine house and conservatory shelter the choicest species, including what is considered the most beautiful climber in the world – the national flower of Chile, Lapageria rosea (named after Napoleon’s wife). The front garden is paved in pink Chinese granite.

For insurance reasons, only babies-in-arms and children over 12 can visit the garden.

For more information, see www.dillongarden.com

The Dillon Garden is open to the public in March, July and August (every day, 2 – 6pm) and in April, May, June and September (Sundays only, 2 – 6pm).