The Irish National Stud and Gardens is the beating heart of the Irish horse racing industry and the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public. For a place that has consistently produced equine royalty, it seems only fitting that its former visitors have included queens and presidents. 

Join the stud's impressive clientele with their guided tour which includes a visit to the foaling unit, where you might be lucky enough to see the first steps of a future champion. The best time to see a foal being born is between February and April.

You can also get up close to the spectacular stallions at the paddock, spot lively yearlings or watch the protective mares with their frolicking foals. Even if you’re not a racing aficionado, you’ll be able to appreciate the historical success that has built this place and the passion that has sustained it.  

At the immersive Irish Racehorse Experience, you can learn about some of Ireland’s champion horses, dive into the history of horse racing and get a behind-the-scenes look at a real training yard. Then, hop on your own animatronic stead and test your skills in a simulated horse race. You can also pay a visit to the museum's most famous fixture: the skeleton of Arkle, an Irish thoroughbred and racing legend who was simply known as “Himself.”

Created between 1906 and 1910, the Japanese Gardens were designed by craftsman Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. These gardens combine art, philosophy and nature in perfect balance to create a tranquil and contemplative environment.

Beautiful structures like the Bridge of Life and the Tea House combine with the vivid foliage and babbling streams in a perfect balance of sights, sounds and colour. These gardens are considered the best of their kind in Europe and you’ll know why when you see them.

A more recent addition to the Irish National Stud and Gardens is St Fiachra’s Garden, named after the patron saint of gardening. This was created to commemorate the millennium and designed by the award-winning landscape architect, Professor Martin Hallinan.

Inspired by the Irish monastic tradition, St Fiachra’s Garden celebrates the rawness of the Irish landscape and it’s been designed to create the feeling of natural space. It’s every bit as inspiring as its Eastern predecessor. 

After your tour, relax in the onsite restaurant, run by Ballymaloe-trained Natalie Collins. Using local ingredients, the menu features perennial favourites like the beef hot pot, smoked salmon and freshly baked brown bread. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options.

If you planned ahead and brought your food, there are also picnic benches in the car park where you can enjoy your meal outside while soaking up the beautiful environment.

For the kids with boundless energy, there’s also an enchanting fairy trail, as well as a playground set right beside St Fiachra that's decked out with swings, slides, climbing frames and more.