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All year, except Christmas Day & Good Friday; May - Aug, 10am - 8pm; Apr & Sept, 10am - 6.30pm; Oct - Mar 10am - 5pm. Last admission 45 mins before closing.
No, but booking advisable if guided tour required (at no extra charge).
(Visitor Centre)
Apr - May Sept - Oct.
Rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers (750 varieties in all) Autumn colour, especially maples (170 varieties).
Adult, €4, Heritage card €25
Child, €2, Heritage card €10
Over 60s, €3, Heritage card €20
Family, €10, Heritage card €60 Season ticket €35.
Visitor centre with A/V, Play area (7 - 14 years), miniature railway (7 1/4 gauge) afternoons in summer, nature trail and signposted walks.
Ericaceous garden, dwarf conifers, hedges, ground covers, climbing plants and lake.
Creacon Lodge Hotel & Restaurant Kilmokea Country Manor Brandon House Hotel
The Horse & Hound, Ballinaboola, on the N25
New Ross Town & surrounding area
The Arboretum was established in 1968 and is located 12km south of New Ross off the R733. It is over 250 ha in extent and rises from 36m at its southern boundary to 271m at the summit of Slieve Coillte, the Mountain of the Woods. Half of the total area is devoted to the Plant Collection, which contains over 4,500 types of trees and shrubs, planted in botanical sequence. Two hundred forest plots of different species, with a separate area allocated to each continent, spread across the higher slopes. The summit, accessible by road, provides panoramic views over six counties.
Special features include an Ericaceous garden, with 750 different rhododendrons, azaleas, and heathers, dwarf conifers, hedges, ground covers and climbing plants. The lake is the most popular part of the Arboretum and is a haven for water fowl.
The Arboretum was initiated by Irish-Americans in 1968 who wished to create a living memorial to President Kennedy. The Irish Government undertook to meet the additional costs of establishment and maintenance. The Arboretum was part of the Research Branch of the Forest Service for its first 20 years and close liason was maintained with the National Botanic Gardens to ensure its proper development. Like the Research Branch, the Arboretum was placed in Coillte Teoranta, the Irish Forestry Board for 4 years, but in 1993 it was transferred to the the Heritage Service of the Office of Public Works.