Irish National Stud and Gardens -- Ireland

Thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud

The Irish National Stud and Gardens located in County Kildare, Ireland, is where horse racing legends are born and the only one in Ireland open to the public.  Also located on the grounds are the world famous Japanese Gardens, the Horse Museum, and St. Fiachra's Garden, created to celebrate the Millennium.

The thoroughbred horse racing facility, which now belongs to the people of Ireland, is located on the 1,000-acre Tully Estate, home to some of the finest thoroughbreds in the world including these living legends who live(d) out their days in retirement at the stud:  “Beef or Salmon,” “Kicking King,” “Hardy Eustace,” “Rite of Passage,” “Moscow Flyer,” and “Vintage Crop.”

Tully’s famous stud farm where racehorses are conceived, born, and raised was bought from the Fay family by Colonel William Hall-Walker in 1900.  He became one of the most successful breeders of his time.  His finest hour came when King Edward VII led “Minoru,” born and raised at Tully, into the winner’s circle at the 1909 Derby.

The Horse Museum features a life size skeleton of “Arkle,” the famous steeplechaser who raced in the sixties.  He was a three-time winner of jumping’s ultimate prize, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.  Watch “Arkle” win the 1964 Gold Cup here (2:20).  “Sea the Stars” is the stud’s most modern champion and the museum houses much of his memorabilia.

Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens were devised by Col. Hall-Walker (later Lord Wavertree), a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewery family, and laid out between 1906 and1910 on four acres of woodland and lakeside walks by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and son Minoru (for whom the famous horse is named).

The natural habitat, carefully preserved as part of Ireland’s heritage, was planned to symbolize “The Life of Man,” tracing a soul from birth to death and beyond.  In addition to the flora, there are ponds, waterfalls, rock structures, bridges, and a tea house.  (For a complete description of the symbolism of the gardens, go here and scroll to read “The Japanese Gardens.”)

St Fiachra's Garden

In 1999, Saint Fiachra’s Garden was created to honor the patron saint of gardeners.  Designed by Professor Martin Hallinan, an award winning landscape architect, this natural environment was created to simulate the spirituality of the monastic movement in Ireland in the 6^th and 7^th centuries.  It features unique water spots and replicas of monastic ruins.

Consult this guide map to plan your visit and consider the following suggested time schedule for touring:

National Stud: 1 hour

Japanese Gardens: 20 minutes

St. Fiachra’s Garden: 45 minutes

Horse Museum: 20 minutes

Enjoy these related videos.

For a mini tour of the horse pastures: Irish National Stud (2:55)

For a peaceful tour of the Japanese Gardens: Japanese Gardens County Kildare (8:41)