Noel Keenan was a dairy farmer with a passion for horticulture. In the mid 1980s he set about transforming four acres of grazing farmland into a garden alongside the River Nore, near the picturesque village of Castletown and 20 minutes from Portlaoise.

Gash Gardens offers the visitor borders packed with a blend of vibrant and unusual planting amid still ponds, meandering streams and a riverside walk.

Managed by Noel’s daughter Mary with her husband Ross, Gash Gardens is suited to garden lovers, plant enthusiasts, keen photographers or individuals seeking a peaceful day surrounded by beauty and nature at the foot of the Slieve Blooms.