Ireland In Spring

If you asked your friends and family which of the four seasons was their favourite there’s a good chance that spring will feature high on their list.  Whilst some long for the hot temperatures and the sunshine of summer, spring is everyone’s special time. 

Whatever you’re doing or wherever you are now, it’s great to know that spring officially starts on 20th March 2011. And spring means that there’s lost of new things to see and do – it’s a time of re-birth and growth, a time for the great outdoors, a time for the new season’s clothes, and a time of holidays! Ireland is a great place to see spring at its best. Its beautiful countryside is a wonderful back drop for the spring flowers and plants and the rolling landscape is home to woodlands and farm fields that shelter the wild birds and new arrivals. Ireland’s national colour, green, is the colour of spring, so if you’re ready for a fresh new spring break holiday take the short hop to the Island of Ireland.

Spring Things to See and Do

No spring is complete without the beautiful daffodil. Its wonderful bright yellow flower creates swathes of colour across gardens, parks and fields alike.  For the ultimate daffodil experience go to the Guy L. Wilson Daffodil Garden at Coleraine in Londonderry. This is an amazing rare collection of over 400 Irish-bred daffodils and narcissus. Guy Wilson was born in Broughshane in 1886. His working life in the woollen mill was overshadowed by his passion for cultivating daffodils and he became a world renowned Daffodil Breeder even after his death in 1962. The garden is his memorial.

There’s nothing that lifts the spirits more than seeing the new spring flowers and plants. Look out for the season’s flowers in Irish gardens, parks and fields – cultivated flowers such as agapanthus, amaryllis, anemone, birds of paradise, dahlias, scented freesias, hyacinths, peonies, roses, sweet pea, tulip and zinnia or wild flowers such as cherry blossom, wild orchids and heather. For a special spring day visit the Inish Beg Gardens at Baltimore in Cork. Years of hard work and tender care have restored the gardens and woodlands. The walled garden has been redesigned and now grows flowers, fruit and vegetables and a fascinating collection of medicinal herbs. The orchard has been rescued from a blanket of brambles and two beautiful woodland gardens have been created.  In spring the cherry avenue is a riot of colour and blossom.

Even though they can start appearing in fields from as early as February Spring Lambs are a real sign that spring has arrived.  For many people today city and urban living means that they’re unable to experience the beauty and reality of farming at spring time and they often miss the wonderfully cheering spectacle of spring lambs.  But there’s an easy way for everyone to get up close with spring lambs, a day out at one of the many working farms across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The National Trust’s Ballyquinton Farm in Portaferry, County Down is a showcase for environmentally friendly farming. The farm and estate land perches on the very tip of the Ards Peninsula and you can stroll through the farmland and coastal scenery farmed and managed by the Trust. For a family day why not visit the Murtagh’s family farm, Causey Farm, Navan in County Meath. The family have been farming the area for over thousand years and keep farm beef cattle and sheep.  You’ll be able to see the animals, get to know what farm work is really like, see sheepdogs at work and even bake soda bread.

Spring is a time when we pack a picnic and take our first real walks of the year and walking is the best way to really see what is wonderful about spring time.  There are many special spring walks organised, such as the spring flower walks in Lurganboy Forest and in Cranny Wood, Manorhamilton. The fabulous woodland in North Leitrim is the backdrop for the carpets of bluebells and primroses and your walk guide will fill you in on local history and sites.  For a more formal affair visit the famous Mount Stewart gardens planted by Lady Londonderry in the 1920s.

And finally, no spring is complete without its wonderful seasonal foods. Jersey new potatoes, artichokes, leeks, broccoli, rhubarb, lamb, rabbit, crab, oysters, mackerel and sea trout are all fresh and ready to enjoy.  Ireland has a wealth of eateries, for fishy treats try D’Arcy’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Kenmare, County Kerry or Jacques Restaurant in Cork City.

Ireland is one of the best places to experience spring time and what could be better than finding your spring holiday haven.  With Imagine Ireland there are hundreds of self catering cottages to stay in so why not have a look at Spring Break Cottages or you can even choose to stay on a working farm.