Developing Ireland as a successful garden tourism destination

The marketing of Ireland as a garden destination has been evolving over the past six years. The complexity of Ireland’s history and modern circumstances have led to the demise of Irish gardens over the past three centuries. An initiative entitled The Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme has been operated under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 which has been funded by the European Union. The outcome of the scheme has been twofold; the funding has rescued a significant part of Irish heritage and history; it has provided many new comprehensive tourist attractions to both the domestic and overseas market. A more widely focused market should be targeted to ensure that tourism is successful in fostering sustainability in part of the Irish heritage. A Case study of Ballinlough Castle, County Westmeath outlines their part in the programme.