Each May, Antrim Castle Gardens bursts into colour for the island's premier spring garden show — show gardens, floral art and a huge plant marketplace, all set in gorgeous 400-year-old water gardens.
What it is — Garden Show Ireland, the biggest gardening event on the island's calendar: designed show gardens, floral art displays, expert talks and demos, and a big marketplace of nurseries and plant stalls to browse and buy from.
Where — the historic Antrim Castle Gardens, a rare surviving Anglo-Dutch water garden with clipped hedges, canals, parterres and a lovely long green — worth the visit on its own, and free to wander any other day of the year.
For families — while it's a gardener's paradise, there are family activities and the gardens themselves are brilliant for children, with an adventure play area, open lawns to run on and the castle motte to climb. Plenty to keep little ones happy while grown-ups shop for plants.
When — an early-May weekend each year (usually across three days). The 2027 dates land in the winter — watch gardenshowireland.com.
It's a ticketed show — and you'll want a plan for plants. Bring a bag or trolley and cash for the nurseries, wear comfy shoes for a full day on grass, and check the day tickets online before you go.
Bring home — the plant marketplace is the real treat: rare and unusual plants from specialist growers you won't find in a garden centre, often at good show prices.
What's on
A full day for green fingers
It's part flower show, part plant market, part family day in a beautiful garden. Here's the shape of it.
🌼Show gardensDesigner show gardens built for the weekend — big ideas and inspiration to steal for your own patch.
🪴Plant marketplaceRows of specialist nurseries and growers selling plants you won't find on the high street — the heart of the show.
💐Floral artDisplays and competitions from florists and flower clubs, plus cut-flower and horticulture classes.
🎓Talks & demosExpert gardeners giving advice, demonstrations and how-tos across the weekend.
🍴Food & craftArtisan food, local craft and drink stalls to graze and browse between the flowers.
🧒Family activitiesThings for children to do, plus the gardens' own adventure play and open lawns to burn off energy.
Plan your visit
Making a family day of a garden show
The trick to bringing children to a garden show is to lean on the setting. Antrim Castle Gardens is a genuine day out in its own right — an adventure playground, wide lawns, the old castle motte to climb and water everywhere — so you can happily alternate: a wander round the show gardens and stalls for the grown-ups, then a run-around for the kids. Come ready to buy plants — a sturdy bag or a little trolley and some cash for the nursery stalls will save you juggling, because the specialist growers are the best reason to come. Wear comfy shoes for a full day on grass, pack a picnic or graze the food stalls, and don't be put off by a soft May day — a bit of drizzle only makes the gardens greener and the greenhouse-warm marquees cosier.
Check the 2027 dates, tickets and layout.
Garden Show Ireland runs on set dates in early May and it's a ticketed event. Confirm this year's dates, day tickets and any family offers on gardenshowireland.com before you travel.
Good to know
Everything before you go
When
An early-May weekend each year, usually across three days. The 2027 dates are announced in winter — watch gardenshowireland.com.
Where
Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim (BT41 4LH) — the historic Anglo-Dutch water gardens beside Clotworthy House.
Cost
Ticketed — adult day tickets are usually around £12, with children often free or reduced. Check current prices and book online.
Best for
Keen gardeners above all, but a good family day thanks to the gardens' play area and open space. Something for everyone.
Bring
A bag or small trolley and cash for plant stalls, comfy shoes for a day on grass, and layers for changeable May weather.
Food
Food, drink and craft stalls on site — or bring a picnic for the lawns.
Getting there
Antrim town, just off the A6/M2, with parking nearby. Close to Antrim rail and bus links.
The gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens are free to visit on any other day — well worth a return trip through the year.
Questions
Garden Show Ireland, answered
When is Garden Show Ireland 2027?
It's held over an early-May weekend each year (usually three days) at Antrim Castle Gardens. The exact 2027 dates are announced in winter — check gardenshowireland.com.
Where is it held?
At Antrim Castle Gardens in Antrim town — the historic Anglo-Dutch water gardens beside Clotworthy House, just off the M2.
Is it good for children?
Yes, as part of a family day. The show itself is for gardeners, but the gardens have an adventure play area, open lawns and the castle motte to climb, plus family activities during the show — so there's plenty to keep kids happy.
How much does it cost?
It's ticketed — adult day tickets are usually around £12, and children often go free or at a reduced rate. Check the current prices and book online before you go.
Can I buy plants?
Absolutely — the plant marketplace of specialist nurseries and growers is the main draw. Bring a bag or trolley and some cash; you'll find plants you won't get in an ordinary garden centre.
What if it rains?
Much of the buying and the floral displays are under marquees, and a soft May day only makes the gardens greener. Bring a coat and comfy shoes and it's a lovely day whatever the weather.
Getting there
Antrim Castle Gardens are in Antrim town on the Randalstown Road (BT41 4LH), just off the A6 and close to the M2 — an easy run from Belfast, the north coast or mid-Ulster. There's parking near the gardens, and Antrim's rail and bus links are close by.
Garden Show Ireland has grown into the island's flagship spring gardening event, and it found its perfect home at Antrim Castle Gardens — one of only a handful of surviving Anglo-Dutch water gardens anywhere, laid out more than 400 years ago with clipped hedges, long canals, a parterre and a great green lawn. Once a year the whole place is given over to plants and the people who love them: designers building show gardens, nurseries lining their stalls with rarities, florists competing, and thousands of visitors wandering the marquees with a plant or two under each arm.
It's a weekend that catches spring at its best — the tulips out, the borders waking up, and a whole garden full of ideas and inspiration to carry home. Bring the family, let the children loose on the lawns, fill your bag with something new to plant, and go and celebrate the start of the growing year.