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The Irish Racehorse Experience

Since the Irish began telling stories horses and horse racing have been at the heart of our culture. The enduring question has always been who has the fastest horse?

Journey through the history of horse racing. Brought to life like never before. The Irish Racehorse Experience takes the visitor on a journey through the rich history and heritage of the Irish thoroughbred sector, from the world’s very first steeplechase in Cork to today’s commercial success story where Ireland and the Irish diaspora continue to lead the world in breeding, training and racing.

Discover how this small island has made such a big impression on the world. Explore the unique tale of the thoroughbred racehorse, follow their stories, celebrate their victories and discover what makes these horses such powerful athletes. Play your part in developing these magnificent animals and learn from some unforgettable characters along the way.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at top trainer Jessica Harrington’s yard, train your racehorse and choose your unique racing colours. Moving onto the buzz of the race track, admire the fashion before testing your skills in the commentary box. Then it’s onto the thrilling big race, where every decision the visitor has taken affects their performance and result in the race.

Create their story and guide them to glory. Will you ride your colours to victory?

Please note: all children 16 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the Irish Racehorse Experience. Children under 124cm may not participate in the big race for health and safety reasons but can attend the venue while being accompanied by an adult.

Guided Tours

Daily Guided Tours (Public Groups)

Visitors to the Irish National Stud can avail of a free guided tour (included with purchase of admission ticket) which runs at regular intervals throughout the day.

Please allow 2-3 hours for visit in total to include a self-guided visit to Japanese Gardens & St Fiachra’s Garden.

Public Groups Tour times

Irish National Stud reserves right to change tour times.

Guided Tours (Private)

A private guided tour of Irish National Stud can be arranged at an extra charge. Upgraded themed tours (garden & equine) and the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour are available. All private guided tours must be pre-booked in advance and subject to availability at the time of booking. Contact our reservations team via email at [email protected]

Self-Guided Visit

Visitors can enjoy a self-guided visit to the Irish National Stud & Gardens (included with purchase of admission ticket).

Travel Trade at Irish National Stud & Gardens

Travel Trade including tour operators, travel agents, coach operators, DMC’s and group organisers are very welcome at the Irish National Stud & Gardens. There is free coach parking on site and the travel trade can avail of special rates, fast track admission and private guided tours. Bespoke catering can also be arranged on request. For more information on the travel trade perks at the Irish National Stud, please email Amanda Kelly, Commercial Executive at  [email protected] , or to make a reservations please email the team at  [email protected]  or telephone  +353 45 521617

School Tours

There are a selection of tours, activity and worksheets available for school and education groups at the Irish National Stud and Gardens. To find out more  visit .

It is difficult to define what has made the Irish National Stud a birthplace of Champions. A place where 520 mares were welcomed to our covering barn and over 300 foals took their steps in our nursery. As custodians of this extraordinary farm, we are challenged by its history to harness the gifts of nature and uncover the next champion.

Please note access to the gardens is included in the admission ticket.

Each season over 300 foals take their first steps at the Irish National Stud. The foaling unit, in the heart of the grounds, operates 24-hours a day during the foaling season between February and May. The dedicated and knowledgeable team at the Stud provide a nurturing start to these magnificent animal’s lives. View frolicking foals alongside their mothers. One of the most magical times of the year to visit!

The Irish National Stud is home to a select roster of stallions, each of which has won some of the most prestigious races in the world. The most influential stallion to have ever stood at the Stud is Invincible Spirit. Invincible Spirit commands a stud fee of €60,000 for each mare that he gets in foal. The roster of stallions ensures that every type of breeder can find an ideal match for their mare.

Living Legends

A great racehorse deserves a great retirement and the irish national stud provides just that. the living legends were triumphant in internationally iconic races such as the cheltenham gold cup, champion hurdle, queen mother champion chase and the royal ascot gold cup. watch them relaxing at grass, dreaming of days as champions on the track..

Beef or Salmon

Hurricane Fly

Japanese Gardens

The Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens, renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe, are far more than simply a treat for the eye. They also provide comfort to the soul, achieving exactly the objective that was set out when the gardens were created between 1906 and 1910. Devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family, the gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. Their aim was, through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water, to symbolise the ‘Life of Man’.

That plan was executed to perfection and Eida’s legacy is now admired by the 120,000 visitors who soak up the peace of the gardens every year. Very much representative of Japanese gardens from the early 20th century, Eida’s work traces the journey of a soul from oblivion to eternity and portrays the human experience of its embodiment as it journeys by paths of its own choice through life. Birth, childhood, marriage, parenthood, old age, death and the afterlife are all brought to mind as the gardens, a seamless mixture of Eastern and Western cultures, are explored.

St Fiachra’s Garden

St. fiachra’s garden was designed in 1999 by award-winning landscape architect professor martin hallinan.

The garden commemorates St. Fiachra, the patron saint of gardeners. It provides a perfect partner to the Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens while, at the same time, opening up a wholly different yet equally satisfying experience. This stunning attraction seeks to capture that which inspired those involved in Ireland’s monastic movement in the 6th and 7th centuries. It does so principally by paying handsome tribute to the Irish landscape in its rawest state.

Rock and water are rulers in a garden rejoicing in the natural beauty of woodland, wetland, waterfalls, lakes and streams. Monastic cells of fissured limestone are surrounded by water while an inner subterranean garden is home to magnificent Waterford Crystal-shaped rocks, ferns and orchids. St. Fiachra’s Garden is the very essence of Ireland’s natural beauty.

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Access to gardens is included in the admission ticket

For visitors and locals alike, The Japanese Gardens Restaurant is a must during your tour of the stud, and indeed on any occasion.  Head chef, Ballymaloe-trained Natalie Collins and her manager take pride in offering simple, wholesome food with the emphasis on freshness and flavour.

Local ingredients are used wherever possible, providing a sound foundation for dishes with distinctive homemade style such as the beef hot pot served with seasoned baby potatoes or roast courgette and goats cheese tart. For plainer palates, the huge platter of Irish smoked salmon and freshly-baked brown bread is complimented with a selection of her finest salads. Quiche of the day could be ham, leek & mushroom. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Sandwiches, salads and wraps are all made to order and as baking is a huge strength, expect to be greeted by a mouthwatering array of freshly baked breads, scones, desserts and cakes. Take them away or enjoy them at your leisure with a variety of our finest coffees or even afternoon tea.

To speak to a member of the dining team please email [email protected]

Restaurant Info

• The restaurant is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
• Children’s portions available on request. High chairs and bottles heated on request.
• Special events can also be arranged, please contact Natalie and her team to discuss your requirements.

The Irish National Stud & Gardens offers a fun-filled day for the whole family. The playground offers a great variety of play equipment including swings, slides and climbing frames, sure to keep the little ones entertained! Enjoy the picnic facilities and Pavilion café for yummy treats throughout the summer months.

The Irish National Stud is also home to over 20 fairies, each with their own chores to complete on the farm. Follow the trial through the enchanting woods (be ‘fairy’ careful) and towards the large paddocks where you’ll see fairy Hattie taking good care of the horses. Along the way look out for all sorts of trees and flowers – Flora is in charge of these, and discover the Buglington Hotel where you might just spot the resident insects.

Buglington Hotel

You may well ask, “What is the point in having a Bug Hotel?” Well, the answer is simple really, a Bug Hotel provides a place of shelter for insects in the cold winter months.

We give shelter to the insects; but why do we want insects anyway? Let’s face it, they just creep and buzz around, annoy everyone and eat plants. That also is quite true; but the main reason we need insects is because they pollinate plants and if we didn’t have them then 80% of all the plants we use for food would disappear. In fact, without pollinators the human race would disappear. Earth without humans!… what a thought! Who’d mind the horses?!

Kids Corner

The irish national stud & gardens is a great day out for the whole family. discover the history of the grounds and this unique industry on the guided tours and bring to life the world of the thoroughbred at the irish racehorse experience. discover the sumptuous gardens and explore the playground and fairy trail..

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Irish National Stud & Gardens, Brallistown Little, Tully, Co. Kildare, R51 KX25, Ireland

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Irish National Stud and Gardens

From horses to horticulture the Irish National Stud & Gardens is one of Ireland’s true treasures.

Nowhere better symbolizes all that is great about County Kildare, the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred industry, than the Irish National Stud and Gardens, a unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty that is home to some of the most magnificent horses and sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the world.

From horses to horticulture, the Irish National Stud & Gardens offers you a unique experience that can be enjoyed at your own leisure or as part of a guided tour.

The Irish National Stud Farm is the home of equine royalty, immaculately-bred stallions who can be seen and admired alongside protective mares, frolicking foals and athletic yearlings.

In the world-famous Japanese Gardens, you can follow the path called the ‘Life of Man’ which traces the passage of a soul from birth to death and beyond, at the same time providing a meeting place for the cultures of East and West.

St Fiachra’s Garden symbolises the power of the Irish landscape.

The Irish National Stud & Gardens is home to a team of Living Legends; world-class retired racehorses including Hurricane Fly and Beef or Salmon. There is also a horse museum containing the skeleton of the greatest steeple chaser of all time, Arkle.

The Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens, renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe, are far more than simply a treat for the eye. They also provide comfort to the soul, achieving exactly the objective that was set out when the gardens were created between 1906 and 1910.

Devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family, the gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. Their aim was, through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water, to symbolise the ‘Life of Man’. That plan was executed to perfection and Eida’s legacy is now admired by the 120,000 visitors who soak up the peace of the gardens every year.

Very much representative of Japanese gardens from the early 20th century, Eida’s work traces the journey of a soul from oblivion to eternity and portrays the human experience of its embodiment as it journeys by paths of its own choice through life. Birth, childhood, marriage, parenthood, old age, death and the afterlife are all brought to mind as the gardens, a seamless mixture of Eastern and Western cultures, are explored.

St Fiachra’s Garden

St Fiachra’s Garden, a tribute to an Irish saint, is a stunningly raw representation of Ireland’s singular landscape. A fitting tribute to Ireland herself, this large relaxing garden is situated within a natural setting of woodlands, wetland, lakes and islands. The garden seeks to capture the power of the Irish landscape in its rawest state, that of rock and water, the wonder of nature at its most elemental with which the monks were in touch. The garden thereby does not look at St Fiachra’s achievements or what he became, but rather at what, in large part, formed him.

• Daily guided tours of the Stud
• World Famous Japanese Gardens telling the Story of the Life of Man from Cradle to Grave
• Award-winning St. Fiachra’s Garden based on the 6th & 7th Century monks
• Meet the Living legend horse superstars
• Restaurant with home baking

Open early February to early November, 2020

Daily 09:00 – 18:00

Closed:  early November to early February Last admission: 17:00 Approx. visit duration: 2 to 3 hours. The guided tour is 45 minutes

Admission Rates 2020 Adult: €14.00 Senior (aged 60+): €11.00 Student (with valid ID): €11.00 Child (aged 5-16): €8.00 Child (under 5): Free Family (2 adults & 4 children): €32.50

Free guided tours, as part of the entrance fee at 10:30, 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00. Added tours during busy times.

Check out their range of facilities, services, accessibility, and other useful information.

LANGUAGES: Self-guided leaflets in various languages

DINING/REFRESHMENTS: Full restaurant serving morning coffee; afternoon tea and scones; full lunches and light refreshments and wine.

SHOPPING:  Gift shop onsite offering high-quality branded goods including clothing, souvenirs, and postcards.

CHILDREN: Playground and fairy trail on-site. Dedicated baby-changing room and baby-changing benches with adjacent hand-washing and hand-drying facilities.

PARKING: Free car and coach parking on-site.

ACCESSIBILITY: The Stud and St Fiachra’s Garden are fully wheelchair accessible. The Japanese Gardens are partially accessible. Fully accessible toilet available in the Visitor Centre and at the children’s playground. Assistance dogs are permitted

GROUPS: Group rates available (minimum 20 people). Pre-booking required.

The Stud is located 48km south of Dublin off the main M7 motorway (take Exit 13 on the M7 motorway).

Tully East, County Kildare, Ireland

Facebook: @IrishNationalStud Twitter: @IrishNatStud Instagram: @IrishNationalStud

Irish National Stud & Gardens

Top ways to experience Irish National Stud & Gardens and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Irish National Stud & Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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An idyllic day trip awaits amid the lush green landscape of Tully, County Kildare. Giddy up, we’re off to the Irish National Stud!

There’s so much to enjoy at this hub of equestrian excellence. See where champion racehorses are forged at the Stud, which is home to adorable foals and magnificent stallions. Learn about Ireland’s rich history of horse racing at the interactive Irish Racehorse Experience. Then join a guided tour to hear tales of legendary horses, infamous races and much more.

But that’s not all. No visit here is complete without exploring the famous Japanese Gardens, which are regarded as the finest of their kind in Europe! Taking a snap beneath a cherry blossom tree in late spring or early summer is a must. St Fiachra’s Garden will lull you into a state of relaxation. Created by an award-winning landscape architect, it makes for a stunning natural counterpoint to the more designed aspects of the Japanese Gardens.

Round off your trip with a bite to eat in the restaurant, where local ingredients are whipped up into tasty dishes such as goat’s cheese tart and beef hot pot.

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Irish National Stud and Gardens, County Kildare

Need to know

The Irish National Stud is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Last entry is 4pm.

General admission tickets and tickets for the Irish Racehorse Experience can be booked here .

For more information on the Stud, please call +353 (0) 45 521 617 or email [email protected] .

Things to see and do nearby

Kildare Village Outlet Shopping

Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre

The Kildare Maze

Kildare Town Heritage Centre

St Brigid’s Cathedral & Round Tower

Curragh Military Museum

Accommodation

Kildare House Hotel

Silken Thomas

The K Spa at The K Club

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

Curragh Racecourse

Castletown House

Kildare Village steeped in Ireland’s renowned tradition of warm hospitality, has established itself as a favourite destination for shoppers seeking exceptional savings from a stable of luxury brands and a memorable day out.

Discover the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre at Newbridge, in County Kildare. See the factory showroom, Museum of Style Icons and the shop selling famous Newbridge cutlery and stainless steel kitchenware, jewellery and giftware.

Enjoy a thrilling family day out at Leinster’s largest hedge maze at the Kildare Maze, in County Kildare.

Step back in time with the Legends of Kildare immersive virtual reality experience at the Kildare Town Heritage Centre.

St Brigid’s Cathedral stands on the site where Saint Brigid founded a nunnery in the 5th century. This County Kildare cathedral was rebuilt in the 19th century and houses many fascinating, religious artefacts.

The physical environment, the military presence and the social aspects of life on the Curragh plains are told in the museum.

Kildare House Hotel is a family operated 21 bedroom hotel in the heart of Kildare town and only 30 minutes from Dublin. Kildare House Hotel is only a 5 minute walk to Kildare Village Outlet Shopping and a 5 minute drive to The Curragh Racecourse.

Silken Thomas is situated in the heart of Kildare Town. It is a traditional pub steeped in history. A warm welcome greets you whenever you arrive. Silken Thomas is well known for its wide range of food, drink and entertainment.

The K Spa at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, will experience the highest standards of luxury. The K Spa offers a sublime and relaxing experience which will leave guests feeling rested and refreshed.

The Irish passion for horse racing is legendary and experiencing it at the Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, is unforgettable. Enjoy a day at the races in a glorious setting on the Curragh plains where horse racing and horses have been a central part of daily life for centuries.

Experience the splendour of Castletown House, a Palladian mansion in County Kildare. Marvel at the magnificent building and take time to explore the 18th century parklands.

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• Nature and wildlife
• Houses and gardens

Aside from producing champion horses, the National Stud has become a popular place to visit in County Kildare. You’ll easily spend two hours, but you should really give yourself twice that time to take it all in.

A unique experience in Kildare

The Irish National Stud is the beating heart of the Irish horse racing industry and the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public. For a place that has consistently produced equine royalty, it seems only fitting that its former visitors have included queens and presidents.

Guided tours last 45 minutes and include a visit to the foaling unit, where you might be lucky enough to see the first steps of a future champion. The best time to see a foal being born is between February and April.

You can also get up close to the spectacular stallions at the paddock, spot lively yearlings or watch the protective mares with their frolicking foals. Even if you’re not a racing aficionado, you’ll be able to appreciate the historical success that has built this place and the passion that has sustained it.  

Visit the Horse Museum

At the Horse Museum, you can discover the story behind the Irish love affair with horses, Ireland’s champion horses and the history of horse racing. The Horse Museum’s most famous fixture is the skeleton of Arkle, an Irish thoroughbred and racing legend who was simply known as “Himself.”

The Japanese Gardens at the Irish National Stud

Created between the years 1906 and 1910, the  Japanese Gardens  were designed by craftsman Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. These gardens combine art, philosophy and nature in perfect balance to create a tranquil and contemplative environment.

Beautiful structures like the Bridge of Life and the Tea House combine with the vivid foliage and babbling streams in a perfect balance of sights, sounds and colour. These gardens are considered the best of their kind in Europe and you’ll know why when you see them.

A more recent addition to the Irish National Stud and Gardens is St Fiachra’s Garden, named after the patron saint of gardening. This was created to commemorate the millennium and designed by the award-winning landscape architect, Professor Martin Hallinan.

Inspired by the Irish monastic tradition, St Fiachra’s Garden celebrates the rawness of the Irish landscape and it’s been designed to create the feeling of natural space. It’s every bit as inspiring as its Eastern predecessor and a trip to the gardens is a chance to escape the noise and bustle of everyday life for a few precious minutes.

There’s also an enchanting fairy trail that the kids will love. There are plenty of things to keep children amused but there is also a play area beside St Fiachra’s garden, with swings, slides and climbing frames to let them burn off any excess energy.

Grab a tea, coffee or light snack while they play and there are ice creams for the little ones (and the big ones).

Family-friendly facilities

An on-site restaurant run by Ballymaloe-trained Natalie Collins serves up a simple, wholesome menu focused on fresh, flavoursome food. Using local ingredients, the menu features perennial favourites like the beef hot pot or the platter of smoked salmon and freshly baked brown bread. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options.

There are also picnic benches in the car park if you want to bring a packed lunch. The Irish National Stud and Gardens is the perfect place to spend an afternoon, whether you are a fan of horse racing or not.

The spectacular surroundings alone make it a must-see. But, it’s also an opportunity to find out why this place in Kildare remains at the top of its game and to witness the passion and pride that goes into everything that they do.

After your visit to the Irish National Stud and Gardens, have a look at our Kildare destination page for more incredible experiences in the Thoroughbred County.

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Irish National Stud & Gardens

Top ways to experience Irish National Stud & Gardens and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

IRISH NATIONAL STUD & GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Home » Tours » Kildare National Stud & Gardens

Kildare National Stud & Gardens

Full day private tour from €81.25 max 8 people (price based on 8 person tour).

Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour in the beautiful county of Kildare. Visit the Curragh Plains, Newbridge Silver and The National Stud.

Hotel Meet and Greet.

The day will begin with a sightseeing tour in Dublin and your guide will inform you of the history of the city.

The first stop on the tour will be at a location in the open grasslands in The Curragh. The word ‘Curragh’ means, place of the running horse.

In 1815, Dan Donnelly and Eric Cooper had a boxing fight in the Curragh. Today there is a small monument standing stone to commemorate this famous fight. There are many stories about the boxing legend Dan Donnelly that your guide will recount to you.

The world renowned National Stud is home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds. The farm at Tully was purchased from the Fay family in 1900 by Colonel William Hall Walker.

Hall Walker became the most successful breeder of the age, enjoying his finest hour when King Edward VII led Minoru, born and raised at Tully, into Epsom’s winners’ enclosure following a famous victory in the 1909 Derby.

Lunch (Not Included)

The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the stud farm. Planned to symbolise the life of man from the cradle to the grave, they are very pleasant and charming. 

The Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre, which is a contemporary and vintage shopper’s paradise. The Visitor Centre houses the complete range of Newbridge Silverware products and incorporates the famous Museum of Style Icons. You will be able to take home a souvenir, or a gift for that someone special.

Hotel Return

• 09.00 Hotel Meet and Greet
• 09.10 Sightseeing Dublin Tour
• 10.00 The Curragh Plains
• 10.15 Dan Donnelly’s Hallow  
• 11.30 National Stud Guided Tour
• 13.00 Lunch (Not Included)
• 14.00 The Japanese Gardens
• 15.00 Newbridge Silver
• 16.00 Depart Kildare
• 17.00 Hotel Return
• Private Tour 
• Maximum 8 People 
• Transport A/C
• Local Tour Guide
• Visit The Curragh Grasslands 
• National Stud Tour
• The Japanese Gardens 
• Newbridge Silver Center 
• Not Included : Food, Drinks, Tips

Book your Tour

If time and date is not available for you please contact us

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• Visit Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin
• Visit Phoenix Park, Dublin
• Visit St Patricks Cathedral
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SMALL GROUP TOURS CREATED FOR YOU TO ENJOY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, INCLUDES TRANSPORT.

Irish National Stud & Gardens

Counties Wicklow & Kildare

The Irish National Stud, 1.5km south of town, is the big attraction in Kildare – visitors have included Queen Elizabeth II. Owned and managed by the Irish government, the immaculately kept centre breeds high-quality stallions to mate with mares from all over the world. You can wander the paddocks and go eye-to-eye with famous stallions, or take a 45-minute guided tour (four daily; included in admission). Around 3pm in the spring, you'll see the foals being walked back to their stables.

The stud was founded by Colonel Hall Walker (of Johnnie Walker whiskey fame) in 1900. He was remarkably successful with his horses, but his eccentric breeding technique relied heavily on astrology: the fate of a foal was decided by its horoscope and the roofs of the stallion boxes opened on auspicious occasions to reveal the stars above and hopefully influence the horses' fortunes.

Guided tours take place every hour on the hour, with access to the intensive-care unit for newborn foals. If you visit between February and June, you might even see a foal being born. Alternatively, the foaling unit shows a 10-minute video with all the action. Given that most of those foals are now geldings, they probably have dim memories of their time in the Teasing Shed, the place where stallions are stimulated before 'covering' a mare. The fee for having a mare inseminated by the stud's top stallion can be as much as €120,000.

Other attractions on-site include lakeside walks, a 'fairy trail' for kids and the Irish Horse Museum , a celebration of championship horses and the history of horse racing. You can also visit Colonel Hall Walker's Japanese Gardens (part of the complex), considered to be the best of their kind in Europe. Created between 1906 and 1910, they trace the journey from birth to death through 20 landmarks, including the Tunnel of Ignorance, the Hill of Ambition and the Chair of Old Age.

Get In Touch

045-521 617

https://​www​.irishnationalstud​.ie​/

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National Stud & Japanese Gardens

The Irish National Stud (official name: Colucht Groighe Naisiunta na hÉireann Teo (The Irish National Stud Co. Ltd)) is a horse breeding facility based at Tully, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland. It was formally established by incorporation on 11 April 1946 under the National Stud Act, 1945 and is owned by the Irish Government.

The lands around Tully have been associated with the breeding of horses since about 1300, when it is likely that war horses were bred here for the Knights of Malta.

However, the first record of the setting up of a stud farm is in 1900, when the lands were purchased from a local farmer James Fay, by Colonel William Hall-Walker, who later became Lord Wavertree.

As 'Willie' Walker approached middle age, he turned his attention to the owning and breeding of racehorses, quickly turning the farm at Tully into one of the best studs in Europe at the time.

He succeeded in building up a collection of foundation mares which had tremendous influence on racing. In the ten year period of 1904 - 1914 there were seven classic winners bred at Tully including Minoru (Derby and 2000 Guineas), Prince Palatine (St. Leger and Ascot Gold Cup ) and Cherry Lass (Oaks and 1,000 Guineas).

During this period Colonel Hall Walker also decided to have a Japanese Garden built on a boggy site near Tully House. The Garden was laid out by an eminent Japanese landscape gardener Tassa Eida, assisted by an army of local labourers.

The Gardens, planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man', are now of international renown and are acclaimed as the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe.

The gardens at Tully are a living monument to the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures in a Western setting. The symbolism of life the garden portrays traces the journey of a soul from Oblivion to Eternity and the human experience of its embodiment as it journeys by paths of its own choice through life. Typical ambitions toward education, marriage, or a contemplative or carefree life, achievement, happy old age and a gateway to Eternity are portrayed. Furthermore as an example of Japanese Gardening of its period, it is perfect - a Japanese Garden with a hint of Anglicisation about it, was precisely the type of garden being made in Japan at that time.

Eida remained at Tully until 1912. He and his wife and two sons, Minoru and Kaiji, lived at Curragh House, which is now the Racing Apprentice Centre of Education. The name Minoru which means 'light of my eye' or the 'favourite one' was chosen by Colonel Hall-Walker for his favourite Tully-bred colt.

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Ireland’s Travel Secrets: Irish National Stud Farm, Co. Kildare

Pay a visit to ireland’s cutest foals and take a stroll through the “life of man” in the japanese gardens..

Located just over an hour’s drive from Dublin city center are Ireland’s finest Japanese Gardens and the center of the country’s horse industry.

The Lilywhites have long been known for their horse-racing and stud farms, and nowhere better captures the essence of the county than the National Stud Farm located in Tully, Co. Kildare , the beating heart of Ireland's thoroughbred industry.

Home to several of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds, the stud also features some of the most sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the world in the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden.

Created between 1906 and 1910, the Japanese gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru at the request of Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family. The aim of the garden was to symbolize the “Life of Man” through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water.

Taking you on a journey through birth, childhood, marriage, parenthood, old age, death and the afterlife, the gardens explore Eastern and Western culture, tracing the journey of a soul through each stage in life and beyond.

With trickling streams and vivid colors, highlights in the gardens include the Bridge of Life before you take a moment of contemplation over a snack in the tea rooms.

Read more:  An entire Irish village is for sale in Co. Kildare (PHOTOS)

The National Stud itself is a treat for any animal lover but a dream come true for horse-lovers, especially if you visit in time for foaling season when future champions will be finding their feet through a frolick in the fields.

This is the place where racehorses are conceived, born and raised on and it has a long history of breeding champions. Nine stallions are currently living it up in retirement on the farm after many successful years of racing.

Originally purchased by Colonel William Hall Walker at the turn of the 20th century, and later presented to the Crown, the Stud Farm is now owned by the Irish people but is run as a commercial entity. The history of the farm and Irish horse-racing is told in the Horse museum, where the skeleton of one of Ireland’s most mighty horses, Arkle, holds pride of place.

Accompanying the stud and its Japanese Gardens is yet another magnificent garden feature, St. Fiachra's Garden, a tribute the the patron saint of gardeners.

Using an abundance of rocks and water, the garden honors the beautiful woodland, wetland, waterfalls, lakes and streams of Ireland, as well as invoking the spirit of Ireland's monastic movement in the 6th and 7th centuries through monastic cells of fissured limestone. Each cell is surrounded by water while an inner subterranean garden is home to magnificent Waterford Crystal-shaped rocks, ferns and orchids.

Often bypassed by tourists traveling from Dublin to the likes of Clonmacnoise in the next county over, the National Stud Farm is the perfect excuse to take a pitstop in Kildare.

More information can be found at http://www.irishnationalstud.ie/home .

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Irish National Stud & Gardens

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IRISH NATIONAL STUD & GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)