Events at the Botantic Gardens
Saturday 5th, 12th & 19th May
Sundays 13th & 20th May
Guided Walk - Blossoms from China
Many of our common garden plants are chinese in origin.
May is the best time to see Paeonies, the Handkerchief Tree,
Wisteria and many other flowering plants in full bloom. Come
and see the Chinese plants at their best.
Time: 2.30pm
Meet: Education and Visitor Centre
Thursday 10th May
Exhibition: The Wildflowers of Ireland
An exhibition of the original artwork for the Wildflowers of Ireland sixth definitive series of stamps commissioned by An Post. These now familiar beautiful stamps were painted by award winning botanical artist Susan Sex . Susan has a long association with the National Botanic Gardens and many of her paintings are housed in the art collections of the Gardens. Her special area of interest has been the native orchids of Ireland
Daily in The gallery, Education and Visitor Centre
Thursday 10th May
Lecture: Garden Plants and their Wild Irish Cousins
Dr Declan Doogue, Honary Research Associate of the National Botanic Gardens, and well known author of The Wildflowers of Ireland, will talk about both native and introduced plants in this lecture.
Organised by the Alpine Garden Society and the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club
Time: 8.00pm, Education and Visitor Centre
Saturday 12th May
'Irish Plants on Irish Stamps'
In celebration of the Wild Flowers of Ireland stamp Exhibition, the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club present a day of talks. The current set of Irish definitive stamps includes an interesting seclection of our native wild plants with species from woodlands, hedgerows, grasslands and coastal habitats. Many of these plants have important ecological, aesthetic or cultural significance. The talks on the day will draw together these themes. Speakers will include well-known botanical artist, Susan Sex, who created the original artwork for the entire set and philatelist John Lennon who will speak on the stamps themselves, their production and varieties. Members of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club will discuss the featured species, their ecology, distribution and conservation
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Friday18th May
Fascination of Plants Day
Guided Walks - Fascinating Plant Molecules
Plants are fascinating. From one little seed, planted into soil, many green lives can arise - from small herbs up to big trees, or from ornamental flowers to substantial crops which all animals and mankind need to survive on this planet. To do this, plants use some remarkable molecules to harvest sunlight, capture carbon dioxide, store food and pass on tis inheritance to future generations of plants. In celebration of Fascination of Plants Day, The National Botanic Gardens is presenting a walk through the Gardens to meet some of these amazing molecules and learn about how each is so important in making plant work.
Times: 10.30am and 2pm
Guided Walks - Saving Plants can save the planet
The 18th May is also Plant Conservation Day, and to mark the event, the National Botanic Gardens will be conducting guided tours through the developing Wild Ireland display, where the conservation work of the Gardens will be highlighted
Times: 11am and 2.30pm
Sat. 19th May
Gardening Workshop - Growing Summer Salads
Regardless of the size of your garden, from window boxes to large plots, there is always a space for a wide variety of tasty salad crops. Join the National Botanic Gardens organic gardening crew and find out how you can grow delicious and succulent salads all summer long while being kind to the environment too.
Time: 11.00am
Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Cost: €20. Proceeds in aid of the Irish Museum Trust.
Sat. 19th May
Children's Art in the Gardens
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Or why the grass is green? Take part in our Art wokshops, where you can get involved in guided explorations of the Natural world, working in harmony with the seasons to create imaginative works of art.
This 2-hour session aims to foster curiosity about the natural world and encourage close observation of the details that often go unseen. Participants will get to respond creatively to their own observations while working with different methods and media in a fun and creative atmosphere.
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Suitable for ages 8 year and upwards
Cost: €10
Sat. 26th May
Pond dipping
A fun event exploring the weird and wonderful diversity of insects and minibeasts living in and around the pond at the botanic gardens. This workshop is suitable from age 8 upwards.
Time: 11.00am. Admission Free. Advance booking essential
Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Organised with the Dublin Naturlaists' Feild Club
Sat. 26th May
Fusing Drawing and Science - 'Exploring Patterns in Plant Forms'
Phi: the Golden Ratio, as it relates to phyllotaxis (the placement of leaves on a stem)
The second in the monthly series of art workshops for adults fuses art and science together and fosters creative ways of seeing and exploring the intricate and rich biodiversity that exists at the National Botanic Gardens
Time 11.00am, Cost €25
Further details and booking: www.thedrawingworkshop.org
Sunday 27th May
Guided Walk - Fascinating Plants
Felcity Gaffney
How do plants survive in the desert? What plants trap their own food? Why do trees have thorns? What's the fastest growing plant in the world? Find out the answers to these questions and more interesting plant facts.
Time: 2.30pm
Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Irish Botany Course
Evening classes on Irish Botany for beginners. The course will include four evening classes (7.30-9.00pm) which will comprise a talk followed by a practical session spent learning the skills of plant identification and a full Saturday (10.30 am to 3pm).
Tuesday 1st May: Plant anatomy - Identifying plants using keys and field guides
Tuesday 8th May: Identifying Irish Wildflowers, trees and shrubs
Tuesday 15th May: Identifying grasses, sedges and rushes
Saturday 19th May: A visit to the National Herbarium - how to collect and press plants, followed by a field excursion to Bull Island in the afternoon
Tuesday 22nd May: Ferns, Mosses and Liverworts
Cost €100. Proceeds to the Irish Museums Trust.
Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Guided Tours
Sundays at 12.00pm & 2.30pm, admission free
Monday - Saturday at 3.00pm €2 per person
Groups tours may be pre-booked, €2 per person
Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre
Events at the National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh
Sunday 6th May
Guided Walk - Head Gardners Walk:300 Glorious Years
Seamus O'Brien will lead visitors on a colourful walk celebrating 300 years of gardening at Kilmacurragh.
Time: 3.00pm
Meet at the Car park.
Sunday 27th May
Guided Wak - Floral Treasures at Kilmacurragh
Gardener Cathal O'Sullivan leads a stroll through the beautiful grounds of Kilmacurragh, exploring the eye catching seasonal variety on display through the herbaceous borders.
Time: 3.00pm
Meet at the Car park.
Saturdays in May: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May
Guided Walk - Learn about the Meadows
Saturdays in the month of May and the first Saturday of every month during the summer period; discover the joy of strolling the meadows and the interesting plants that occur throughout the flowering season.
Time: 3.00pm
Meet at the Car park.
Free Guided tours
Free guided tours twice daily from April onwards at 12.00pm and 3.00pm
Group tours may be pre-booked
Meet at the Car park.
A full listing of events can be found at National Botanic Gardens Events
Download Botanic Gardens Schedule [PDF].