One of the most highly anticipated events of the entire festival is Munster rugby legend Peter O’Mahony sharing centre stage with the BBC’s Adam Frost
Running from Saturday, July 26 until Sunday, August 3, Carlow Garden Festival 2025 promises to be one of the top garden events in Ireland this summer.
With a jam-packed nine days of events, there is something for everyone whether you are at the start of your gardening journey or already have green fingers.
From Adam Frost from the BBC’s Gardeners’ World to Irish rugby star Peter O’Mahony, RHS Chelsea legend Sarah Eberle, and many more leading voices from Ireland and the UK, it’s a packed nine-day celebration of everything blooming and beautiful.
Hosted across Carlow’s iconic gardens and big houses, the festival combines expert talks, foraging walks, kitchen garden workshops and even afternoon tea with a Ballymaloe-trained cook.
New for 2025 is the Festival Bus, a daily shuttle linking all major gardening venues with Carlow town.
“With a rich line-up of almost 20 gardening experts, including familiar faces and exciting new voices, the 2025 festival invites visitors of all levels, from budding gardeners to seasoned professionals, to explore the Carlow Garden Trail,” said Robert Miller, Chairperson of the Carlow Garden Trail.
“The new festival bus makes it easier for visitors to travel across the county’s most beautiful gardens.”
One of the most highly anticipated events of the festival is Peter O’Mahony and Adam Frost in Conversation.
For Irish rugby legend, Peter, gardening is a retreat from the intensity of professional rugby, a place to switch off, relax and reconnect with nature.
Peter is one of Ireland’s greatest rugby players with a career spanning over 15 years. Peter made his Munster debut in 2010. He went on to earn his first Ireland cap in 2012 and has since played in multiple Six Nations tournaments and Rugby World Cups.
However, off the pitch, it turns out Peter has a deep love for gardening and he loves spending time in his garden working with flowers and plants.
During the event, Peter and Adam will discuss why gardening is as good for the soul as it is for the garden.
Adam will also offer his expert insights into Peter’s garden, proposing bold changes to his box hedges and beautiful lawns. With Peter’s admiration for Adam’s work well known, the audience can expect a lively debate and plenty of gardening wisdom as Adam shares expert tips and insights that every gardener can implement in their garden at home.
This event is being held at the Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 26.
Peter O’Mahony will join Adam Frost in conversation for the Carlow Garden Festival 2025
What else is on during the Carlow Garden Festival?
Sunday July 27
A Tale of Two Gardens
What: Garden designer and broadcaster Mathew Wilson will present A Tale of Two Gardens, exploring the designs and planting schemes of RHS owned Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in Harrogate.
Where: Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens
Monday July 28
The Tree Hunters – How the cult of the arboretum transformed our landscape
What: Thomas Pakenham on The Tree Hunters at Huntington Castle, a talk for garden lovers and history buffs with the opportunity to enjoy guided house tours of Huntington Castle.
Where: Huntington Castle
Thomas Pakenham
Thursday July 31
My journey to 19 RHS Chelsea Medals with Sarah Eberle
What: Design inspiration from a 19-time RHS Chelsea gold medallist, Sarah Eberle, and an invitation to discover the history and heritage of the ancestral home of the McMorrough Kavanaghs, ancient Kings of Leinster.
Where: Borris House and Gardens
Sarah Eberle
Other speakers to feature throughout the festival include Nick Bailey, Rosy Hardy, Seamus O’Brien, Fionnuala Fallon, Éanna Ní Lamhna and many more.
A strong focus on biodiversity, accessibility and inclusion also defines the 2025 Carlow Garden Festival programme, with events at BEAM Services, An Gairdín Beo, and Delta Sensory Gardens.
The full festival schedule and tickets are available on the Carlow Garden Trail website.