Preserving a
Botanical Legacy
The Friends of Castlewellan Arboretum is a not for profit company set up to provide a focus for people who care about the future of the remarkable natural and built heritage of the arboretum, in particular the Annesley Walled Garden.
We warmly invite you to become part of our community and help us preserve it for the future generations.
The Arboretum covers 40.5 hectares.
The Annesley Walled Garden and more!
The Annesley Walled Garden lies at the heart of the Arboretum dating from 1750s. Walk among the remarkable collection of trees in one of the largest walled gardens in Ireland.
The arboretum extends beyond the Garden (1) to the Rhododendron Wood (2), Spring Garden (3), Pinetum (4), Sequoia Grove (5), Harrison Vista (6), the Autumn (7) and Long Wood (8), Cyprus Pond (9), the Winter Garden (10) as well as the remarkable Peace Maze, celebrating its 25th year in 2026.
Herbaceous Borders, Glasshouses and Fountains
The Garden also has one of the longest double herbaceous borders, in Ulster, which has been recently restored and replanted. Brimming with spring bulbs in spring and buzzing with life in the summer it is a wonderful place to sit and take in the views.
Within the Garden is the wonderful terrace with the impressive glasshouses of Grays of Chelsea. At the centre of the upper garden is the Mermaid Fountain, and in the lower garden the Heron Fountain.
Internationally Recognised
In 2018 the Arboretum was recognised by the International Dendrology Society as: 'One of the most remarkable tree collections not only in Ireland but in the whole of Europe. Just a few miles from the Irish sea, sheltered by the mountains and surrounding woodland, Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden contain a truly extraordinary number of trees of great rarity, beauty and size.'
The Arboretum supports a huge variety
of plants and animals.
Red Squirrels
The trees provide food and sanctuary for Red Squirrels often seen in the Walled Garden. Look out for the feeders near the Garden. If you spot a Grey Squirrel please report it to Park Rangers. There are also Pine Martens and bats foraging among the trees.
Feathered Friends
Birds love the trees too! The Great Spotted Woodpecker can be heard tapping away. But there is a whole range of birds to spot from colourful Jays after acorns, to tiny gold crests. The Park was also the release sight for the RSPB Red Kite project.
Fungi & Wildflowers
The arboretum is home to a spectacular range of fungi and wild flowers that emerge with the changing seasons. From the delicate wax caps and wildflowers meadows and woodland floor, there is always something unique to discover.