When we visited the Irish National Stud, a thoroughbred horse breeding facility, in County Kildare, Ireland, we were surprised by gorgeous Japanese gardens as well as handsome studs.
This garden was created in 1999 for the millennium in honor of St. Fiachra, the patron saint of gardeners.
It celebrates the beautiful Irish landscape in its natural state with water and rock both providing a wonderful backdrop for a handsome swan.
The Irish National Stud farm and the Japanese gardens continue to be one of the top twenty attractions in Ireland.
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NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
This is such a beautiful photo,Judy, s peaceful (and I love reflections and this one is perfect).
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sound like a gorgeous place and the swan is so peaceful.
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Lovely shot, Judy!
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What a lovely photo!!!
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We visited the Irish National Stud with our daughters in 1999. I don’t remember the Japanese Gardens, but our girls were much more interested in the horses. Perhaps the gardens weren’t completed at the time. Lovely photo, Judy.
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The horses certainly do require your attention because they are special for sure. This particular garden was completed in late 1999 as the year rolled over to 2000.
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We were there in August so they were probably working on it.
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More handsome studs? I’m sensing a theme here, Judy. Are you sure your husband went along? 🙂 Lovely, peaceful shot.
janet
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🙂 Thank you for the chuckle. They had some of the most gorgeous horses I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing or petting. You especially would have loved it.
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I’m sure I would have, Judy.
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I was surprised at how “horsey” the Irish are. And they ride like crazy people. Garry and I were both actively riding when we were there, but they scared us 🙂 Gorgeous horses.
And a most elegant swan.
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Lovely!
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Would you believe I have a wonderful little plaque of St. Fiachra looking down at me right here? I don’t know how you got that swan to pose for you like that, but I congratulate you for doing it. I love how this pulls me in. Thank you!
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Glad it was a personal connection for you.
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I could look at this all day. So quiet and peaceful. Reflection makes it perfect!
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I wish you could have seen the look on my face when I realized this nice Irish Stud Farm had not one but two Japanese style gardens. My pulse was quickening. This one was all moss, rocks, pockets of water, small falls, and these beautiful long-necked swans. It was a lovely spot. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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How in the world did you have the willpower to not get right in and start weeding and deadheading?!!! Lol. 😜 It sounds fantastic. So happy you got to enjoy it.
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This is so serene and so elegant. Interesting that I have never heard of St. Fiachra. I thought I was up on all my saints! But it would be fitting that a patroness of lush greenery would hail from Ireland!
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This falls in that category of finding the unexpected in an unlikely place 🙂
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We went passed that horse stud and the advertised Japanese garden a few years ago, but the weather was wild, so we didn’t stop. Such a funny combination (but very Irish)
I’d never heard of St Fiachra, but maybe a little statue in the garden would help everything grow.
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Gorgeous!
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That is beautiful. I know you must have had a wonderful time exploring those gardens. All that green.
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