Celebrate Ireland's rich gardening heritage

Celebrate Ireland's rich gardening heritage with an action-packed schedule of events for Heritage Week, starting next weekend.

The theme this year is 'Generations exploring heritage together', and as you might expect there's plenty for the whole family to enjoy from the story of Ireland's great plant hunters to minibeast hunts and butterfly trails. Challenge the kids to a game of croquet at Strokestown Park in Co. Roscommon, or meet a Victorian guide who will show you round the Boyne Valley Garden in Co. Meath – complete with tea on the lawn and a children's competition.

The secret powers of plants are unveiled in a tour of the hedgerows and gardens of Delgany in Co. Wicklow, while one of the darkest periods of Ireland's history is explored in a tour around the Famine Garden in Newmarket, Co.Kilkenny, dedicated to telling the story of the terrible potato famine of 1845-1850. You can also get your fingers dirty with a 'Sow and Grow' event at Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny – you can take your newly-planted seeds home with you, too!

Ireland's Heritage Week runs from 17 August with events all around the country. For more details visit www.heritageweek.ie