JAPANESE TEA GARDEN & IRISH NATIONAL STUD
Kildare, County Kildare


Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Gardens is a wonderful spot with formal Japanese gardens created by Lord Wavertree at the height of the Edwardian penchant for Orientalism in the early 20th century. There are an impressive array of trees and shrubs, including maples, mulberries, magnolias, cherry trees and sacred bamboo.

The theme of the gardens is an allegorical journey from the cradle to the grave. Follow the Path of Life, if you dare, emerging from the Gate of Oblivion and leading to the Gateway of Eternity.

If you get hungry you can relax in the garden café.

The Irish National Stud is on the same property as the Japanese Gardens and is where many of Ireland's most famous racehorses are kept. The Stud dates back to 1900 when it was founded by an eccentric Anglo-Irish colonel called William Walker. He sold foals based solely on their astrological charts! He also was known to put skylights in his stables to allow his horses to be "touched" by sunlight or moonbeams. Walker received the title of Lord Wavertree in 1915 in reward for bequeathing the farm to the British Crown.

You can walk freely among the paddocks or take the guided tour. Mares are usually kept in a separate paddock but "teaser" stallions are brought in to determine when mares come into season.

Also on site are a forge, saddlery and the Horse Museum. Occasionally you'll find some Shetland Ponies as well.

A new inclusion to this site is St Fiacra's Garden.


Path of Life or Easy Path?