As the song went 'friends are like flowers' and what better place to spend a day out with your friends than in the beautifully cultivated Kells Bay Gardens?

Pay €10 for a family ticket for two adults and up to four children (usual price €20) or €3 for an adult ticket (usually €6) to Kells Bay Gardens.

Kells Bay Gardens are home to a number of different gardens, each with its own design, layout and environmental features. The Ladies Walled Garden set over three levels and the Primeval Forest with an extensive collection of tree ferns - some dating back to the mid-19th century.

Wander further into the gardens and you'll happen upon The Bamboo Glade, which features over 60 rare species of bamboo. The River Walk will treat you to the sights of giant rhubarb plants and 10 foot fronds, while the Cliff Walk offers the walker breath-taking views of the mountains that surround the gardens.

Venturing on, the Bog Walk takes you over the top of a waterfall and a picturesque stone bridge to explore an array of rare filmy ferns as well as a boggy area of native Irish plants. Closer to the house, the Palm and Succulent Garden plays host to an extensive array of subtropical plants. 

While the gardens are a must for enthusiastic horticulturists, they're also a wonderful day out for all the family and if you're feeling tired after all that exploring, treat yourself to a nice cup of tea in the Garden Café.