The Japanese Gardens
Ireland, a country known for it’s scenic beauty, may well be the friendliest place on Earth. After all, where else are you greeted with Céad míle fáilte, a hundred thousand welcomes?
It was Ireland’s scenic vistas that drew me to this welcoming country, and after some time spent in Dublin, my friends and I decided to take a day-trip to the countryside southwest of the city, a landscape lush with brilliant shades of green, so striking, we could barely tear our eyes away.
The Irish National Stud Farm
Our destination was the Irish National Stud Farm at Tully in Kildare, a popular draw for tourists. A sprawling expanse of manicured lawns and cheerful flower blooms awaited us at the farm, where we learned about the horse-breeding process and the stud business. Even though it wasn’t breeding season we saw many of the farm’s stallions grazing in the paddocks, including four retired race horses.
The Irish National Stud Farm/Melody Moser
The Irish National Stud, in addition to horse breeding, offers career guidance to people entering the bloodstock industry, it cooperates with researchers investigating equine diseases, and organizes a five month residential training course in horse breeding for young people during each breeding season.
We also spent some time in the Irish Horse Museum there, which traces the history of the horse in Ireland through artifacts, text and illustration. The exhibits are arranged chronologically beginning with pre-history through to the modern day.
If you’re not much of a horse person, you may think, ‘Well, this sounds nice, but it’s not my thing.” Even so, I recommend you visit Tully for its serenity, as the grounds are extremely picturesque.
Japanese Gardens
For example you’ll find the tranquil Japanese Gardens there, created by the Japanese gardener, Eida, and his son Minoru, for Colonel William Hall-Walker between 1906 and 1910. The gardens, which trace man’s life journey in twenty stages from birth to beyond, are known for their horticultural beauty.
The Path of Life, Japanese Gardens/Melody Moser
Whether or not you stroll along the Easy Path or the Path of Life you’ll view the Bridge of Life, waterfalls, and majestic Scot’s Pine trees — in Japan the pine is a symbol of a long life and happiness — as well as ponds strewn with lilies, Japanese lanterns and a charming Tea House.
St. Fiachra’s Garden
Also at Tully is St. Fiachra’s Garden. This silent retreat, dedicated to the gentle Irish monk, is set in woodland, wetland, lakes and on islands, with monastic bee-like cells and a waterfall. You enter the garden through an underground passage and emerge a world away from horse and pastures. Although it’s been 1,300 years since St. Fiachra died in France, many stories have been told of this saint, who, while still a young man was renowned for his charity.
