Mount Congreve House and Gardens in County Waterford has reopened following a €7 million redevelopment, and part of the historic house will open to visitors for the first time.

Mount Congreve Gardens (photo courtesy Mount Congreve Gardens)

The project is the largest ever investment in a visitor attraction in Waterford and is aiming to attract over 86,000 visitors in 2023, rising to over 130,000 visitors annually by 2032. It is anticipated that visitors to the new world-class attraction in Ireland’s Ancient East will spend €6.45m in the Waterford region annually.

Mount Congreve House was home to six generations of the merchant family of Congreves. It was built in the 1760s by the celebrated architect John Roberts and remodelled in the late 1960s by Ambrose Congreve, the creator of the gardens that can be seen today. 

Mount Congreve House and Gardens (photo courtesy Mount Congreve Gardens)

Mount Congreve has been lauded as a ‘great garden of the world’ and boasts 70 acres of woodland gardens and four acres of walled gardens within a 140-acre estate located 10 minutes from Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. It is home to one of the largest private collections of plants in the world.

Inspired by Lionel de Rothschild’s world-famous garden at Exbury in England’s New Forest, work began on Mount Congreve Gardens in the 1950s. Ambrose Congreve’s achievements were acknowledged by Queen Elizabeth II, who awarded him a CBE, and by Trinity College Dublin, which granted him an honorary doctorate.

Mount Congreve Gardens (photo courtesy Liam Murphy)

Following the redevelopment work, visitors can now explore the gardens along three different walking routes peppered with creative interpretation and interactive features that tell the story of Mount Congreve and its botanic collection. Enhancements have been made to the garden infrastructure which includes new pathways and a woodland playground for families.

To complement the 18th century mansion house, a purpose-built visitor centre has been created in the existing courtyard and former stables in the eastern wing of the house. The plot-to-plate menu at the Stables Café features an abundance of local produce along with flavours and vegetables fresh from the Mount Congreve Kitchen Gardens. The visitor centre and Secret Garden shop host an array of award-winning Irish arts and crafts along with a broad selection of artisanal food and drinks including Mount Congreve Garden Woodland Gin, Mount Congreve Garden signature scented soaps and more. 

Mount Congreve Gardens (photo courtesy Mount Congreve Gardens)

Speaking at the official opening of the project, Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD, said: “The Investment of €1.2 million made by Fáilte Ireland towards this world class tourism destination will without doubt open the south east region to a raft of new visitors.

“It is anticipated the visitors attracted to Mount Congreve will spend a total of €64.5m million in the area by 2033. This represents spend in the Waterford region of €6.45m annually and the spend generated because of this investment will indirectly support 174 jobs annually.”

Mount Congreve Gardens (photo courtesy Mount Congreve Gardens)

Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority, added: “Investing in standout attractions and unique experiences is a key element of attracting international visitors to Ireland and encouraging domestic tourists to explore different areas of the country. Fáilte Ireland’s research into gardens shows that visitors see gardens as highly immersive and dynamic experience for the senses, that allows them to reconnect with nature and encourages them to explore.”

The project received €5million in capital funding from Ireland’s Rural Regeneration Development Fund, €1.2million in funding from Waterford City and County Council and €1.2million investment in capital and business supports from Fáilte Ireland.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to Mount Congreve on a tailor-made tour of Ireland, perhaps as part of a dedicated Garden Tour, please do contact our friendly team today.