Anne's Grove Gardens is a magnificent historic estate located in the picturesque Castletownroche in County Cork, Ireland. This beautiful estate was once the ancestral home of the Annesley family, who resided here for centuries, until it was gifted to the Irish state in 2015.

The estate is now under the careful management of the Office of Public Works, who have extensively restored and renovated the house, outbuildings and gardens. Plans are underway to re-open the site to the public in 2022, offering visitors the opportunity to explore this remarkable piece of Irish heritage.

Richard Arthur Grove Annesley, who inherited the estate in 1892, was instrumental in developing the landscape in the Robinsonian style during the early 1900s. He had a keen interest in horticulture and was a patron of plant-hunting expeditions led by Frank Kingdon-Ward to Tibet, Yunan Province, Burma, and Bhutan. Richard's efforts resulted in the creation of an exotic collection of plants that included some spectacular flowering shrubs such as Cornus cousa, Embothrium, Eucryphia, and Hoheria.

Anne's Grove Gardens is a true masterpiece of horticultural artistry, blending natural beauty with the careful hand of human cultivation. The estate's stunning gardens feature winding paths that lead visitors through a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare and exotic plants, towering trees, vibrant flowers, and tranquil water features. Visitors can also explore the magnificent Robinsonian-style rock garden, which is considered one of the best examples of its kind in Ireland.

Overall, Anne's Grove Gardens is a must-visit destination for anyone with an appreciation for natural beauty, history, and horticultural artistry.