A subtropical garden in South Kerry has installed a rope bridge believed to be the longest in Ireland, taking visitors 40ft up among its palms and bamboos.
Kells Bay Skywalk
Kells Bay, off the Ring of Kerry, benefits from the warmth of the Gulf Stream and its garden is packed with exotic plants including giant tree ferns, yuccas and succulents, as well as Ireland’s largest palm tree, a South American Jubaea chilensis rising 7.5m above the ground and weighing 11 tonnes.
A visit to the rainforests of south-east Asia inspired owners Billy and Penn Alexander to create the Skywalk, a 36ft high rope bridge spanning 112 feet over the Delligeenagh river. The bridge restores access to an area of the gardens cut off for several years following a storm in 2009 which badly damaged an older bridge.
You can recreate the subtropical look in your own garden with our selection of hardy palms, tree ferns and exotics like agave, aloes and aeoniums, on sale now in the garden centre here in Athlone. Add a splash of brilliant colour with tropical-looking cannas, crocosmias and ornamental gingers to turn your garden into an instant jungle!
The Kells Bay Skywalk opens to the public this weekend, on 8 April: for more details visit www.kellsbay.ie.
