Iconic Kildare attraction welcomes first foals
Pictured in one of the special nursery paddocks is Kildara who is two weeks old with her mother Kiltara Photo: Lorraine OÕSullivan
PROBABLY the most emblematic of all Kildare’s locations, the National Stud and Gardens is celebrating its recent opening to the public, with its first foals already out in the nursery paddocks which the public can come to visit and see.
The much-loved tourism attraction is the only stud farm in Ireland where the public is welcomed in to roam around and see the newborn foals, but also get to enjoy two of the most famous gardens in the country set amidst some beautiful walking trails and natural woodlands and lakes.
Over 140,000 people came to visit last year and management are really looking forward to the year ahead especially as the public will get to see the new additions to the gardens by its new head gardener, the well-known John B Smyth who has a huge and very engaged audience on social media.
The unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty is home to some of the most magnificent horses and sumptuous gardens found anywhere in the world and is in fact the only tourism venue in the world that is also a working stud farm.
A total of 280 foals were born at the Kildare attraction last year which makes the stud largest equine maternity ward in Europe.
The heightened popularity of the Kildare visitor attraction can be attributed to its unique ‘Irish Racehorse Experience’ offering insights into breeding and owning a racehorse as well as having an exhilarating real-time virtual race on horseback.
There were ongoing improvements to the family facilities, playground, picnic areas, walking trails and especially its two gardens which include the famous Japanese Gardens and the more natural St Fiachra’s Garden where John B Smyth, has again focused on native Irish plants, sustainability and pollination amidst lakes and hidden stone beehive huts.
“Visitors can expect to see a huge display of colour in our bumper Spring season with new bulbs, new displays, and new planting combinations across the grounds of the stud, and our enhanced Japanese garden,” said John.
“The star of the show will be the cherry blossom in late spring where our avenues will come alive with the abundance of our pink floral displays.”
Irish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale said: “The Irish National Stud is owned by the Irish people, and not only is it the largest equine maternity ward in Europe but it also has two beautiful gardens and all are accessible by the public to visit. We always look forward to the Spring season”.
