Overview
Kells Bay House & Gardens is Ireland's premier sub-tropical botanical gardens, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Billy and Penn Alexander and situated on the Ring of Kerry overlooking Dingle Bay. The former hunting lodge was first built in 1838, and the surrounding gardens have been open to visitors since autumn 2008.
Head gardener Billy Alexander is a Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner and has collected ferns and exotic plants since boyhood, traveling the globe on plant expeditions to build one of the finest collections of southern hemisphere plants in Europe. The unique microclimate created by the Gulf Stream allows tree ferns, palms, and other exotic species to thrive here in conditions you wouldn't expect in Ireland.
The estate spans roughly 17 to 20 hectares of gardens, woodland, and coast on the Iveragh Peninsula, locally known as the "Jewel of the Ring."
Additionally there are several individually styled rooms available if you'd like to stay overnight. You can make room reservations here (but keep in mind they are extremely limited).
What You'll See
Over 3 kilometers of walking trails wind through a series of distinct gardens: the Ladies Walled Garden with its "Mother" tree fern, the Primeval Forest with the largest tree-fern forest in the northern hemisphere, the Bamboo Glade, Palm Gardens, and Gunnera Pool.
Wooden dinosaur sculptures carved by Pieter Koning from fallen trees are hidden throughout the grounds, particularly in the Primeval Forest, which gives the estate its distinct "Jurassic Park" atmosphere. The headline feature for most visitors is The SkyWalk, Ireland's longest rope bridge at 33.5 meters (112 feet), which sways 11 meters above the River Delligeenagh.
The River Walk, Cliff Walk, and Waterfall Way give several distinct route options. The Garden Room Café serves tea, coffee, scones, and sandwiches, and the on-site Sala Thai restaurant, run by chef-owner Penn Alexander, is an unexpected highlight of any visit.
Visitor Essentials
The gardens are open year-round except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Opening times are daily from 9:30am to dusk, with seasonal closes of 5pm January through April and October through December, and 6pm May through September.
A "Friends of Kells" annual membership is available for those expecting repeat visits. Free parking is available at the estate. Most visitors spend 1-2 hours exploring the gardens.
Purchase garden tickets here.
Tips
Time your visit for a dry afternoon if possible - the trails pass over bog, riverbank, and waterfall sections that become slick in heavy rain. Sturdy walking shoes are helpful, though the paths are generally well-maintained and flat.
Book lunch or dinner at Sala Thai in advance if you plan to combine your visit with a meal, as the restaurant is genuinely popular beyond just garden visitors and can fill quickly. The private access path through the Palm Gardens leads to Blue Flag Kells Beach, just 200 yards from the house, and is worth the short walk for the coastal views.
Overnight stays in the former hunting lodge are available in a handful of individually styled rooms, which give guests free access to the gardens throughout their stay. Combine the visit naturally with Cahersiveen, Rossbeigh Beach, or Valentia Island for a full day on the western Ring of Kerry.
