John Kennedy Arboretum in Co Wexford dedicated to the memory of the 35th president of the United States was opened in 1968 just a couple of miles from Kennedy ancestral home I recently wrote about in my blog Irish Ancestry.
For those who plan a visit – the map you will get with your ticket looks confusing in the beginning, but as soon as you figure out where you are, you won’t have any problems. To help with that, here is my edited version 🙂 Ignore the Visitor Centre drawing because it is in the wrong place. Maple Walk takes you to the lake; the other path is for those who don’t mind walking a little longer. There are no boring walks, each of them is amazing in their own way. SHELTER on your map means a roof, and one of them has a toilet block. If you want to drive to the viewing point on Sliabh Coillte ( which I suppose has a free access) don’t take the right turn as my arrow points, but keep driving and take the first left turn, and drive until you reach the summit. I was very restricted in time and didn’t make it to the summit. I have been there before – you have beautiful countryside at your feet, and you can also see the bird’s view of the Arboretum and Kennedy Homestead.
The empty green areas are not empty at all – there are many single trees and other plants. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed being there.
Kennedy Arboretum with Sliabh Coillte in background.
You can also take a ride.
There are some 4500 species and cultivars of trees, shrubs and climbing plants in Arboretum, to compare with less than 30 native tree species. Since I wasn’t commissioned to illustrate the variety and range of this collection, I just enjoyed myself photographing everything I found amusing 🙂 Like those red Fly mushrooms in my opening photograph – Amanita muscaria. In the ancient times people would dry them and mix with milk to kill the flies. Fly mushrooms definitely attract insects, but I am not so sure about the killing part. I think that insects just drowned in milk 🙂
More fungi.
Maple Walk. We have a mild autumn this year, and the leaves haven’t turned yet except for some maple trees.
Maple walk takes you to the lake (I didn’t take any pictures of it).
Raining. I stood under a Beech tree for a minute.
Wild Fuchsia is beautiful throughout the year.
I am walking from one path to another in spite of the drizzle.
I spotted a Quince flower deep in the bush.
Quinces are decorative and have edible fruit.
Green Quince is too hard for birds to eat, but they snack on the seeds.
There is quite a variety of Quince cultivars in the Arboretum.
Hawthorn walk is one of my favorites. Some fruit are as big as a crab apple.
This old Hawthorn tree with the crooked branches could host a Wexford fairy – I have recently written about another fairy that lives in County Waterford 🙂
I don’t know what these lifeless Cypress trees used to host. Their silver-white trunks glow in the dark, and strong conifer fragrance fills the air.
Western red cedar, or Thuja, might host a dragon 🙂
Beech tree hosts a squirrel.
It is getting dark. I don’t trust the map and walk out of the forest plot to check on the Sliabh Coillte hill. It is a very helpful landmark.
One more hour until the Arboretum will close. Many families and dog walkers are still there, but I have to leave.
I link this post to the lovely blogs I follow – Derrick Knight and The garden Impressionists, both sharing beautiful photographs of gorgeous gardens.
Twenty two countries each sent gifts of trees and shrubs that represent their country to the Arboretum. It is a delightful place to visit in any season.
Memorial fountain made of a single block of Wicklow granite, has the words of President Kennedy engraved on it:
‘Ask not what your country can do for you… ask what you can do for your country.’
Have a wonderful weekend!
Making memories 
Beautiful! Shame about the iffy map but it looks like a lovely place to get lost in (as long as you can find your way out when it’s time to go home!).
Thank you! Yes, the map is confusing because of the wrong-placed visitor center. I have read in the TripAdvisor that something is wrong with the map, and now I know what it is exactly 🙂 Thankfully, it is not easy to get lost in the arboretum, but it would help if the map was re-designed and the visitors didn’t damage the marking on the paths …
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
Thank you for the reblog!
You are very welcome.
A magical place – thanks for the tour and stunning photos! When JFK was president there was hope or the US and the world. Thanks for the reminder. Excellent post!
Thank you! Look forward to the elections 2020.
Beautiful photos, Inese. I love your imagination and the magic you see in the trees. What a lovely place to walk ❤
Thank you Diana! I reckon it might take some 5-6 hours ( with picnic breaks) to see everything. The place is massive.
More beautiful images!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Your photography
Is always so beautiful
Love the post
As always sheldon
Thank you so much for stopping by, Sheldon!
Wow for some beautiful photos Inese and a great place for walking 🙂
Thank you so much, Irene!
It looks a beautiful place Inese and your photographs do it justice. It was a fitting memorial to John F Kennedy but the world could really do with him again just now to bring a bit of hope.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
This is one of my few political posts, David 🙂 Many hugs!!! xxxx
What a beautiful post and and a lovely walk with glorious impressions. ❤
The red fly mushroom may kill insects, it looks deadly for people I guess. I love stories about trees hosting fairies, dragons etc. Those trees sure look like the are hosting these being 🙂 I would like to see fairy you show here (the fairy is pretty) but I am not sure I like to run into a dragon. The trees hosting dragons look scary already. Very nice and fun post!
Thank you so much! 🙂 I really enjoyed being there.
The joy shines through, in your words and every image. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
mysteriously
beautiful & fungi 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Wonderful flora, and some most amazing trees!
Thank you so much, Cynthia! The garden deserves a good photo album.
I hope you are feeling better than last week, my friend.
What magical trees, Inese! And fun fungi too. 😀 Sigh… but I love the trees. I was not familiar with quince or the fruit. It looks tasty. Thanks for bringing us along to this lovely arboretum. Mega hugs.
Thank you so much, Teagan! Two weeks Tuesday, and I am still unwell. I only have energy to reply to the comments 😦 Many hugs!!!
That must be one really bad bug… I’m so sorry. Take good care of you, and do not reply to this one. More hugs.
Thank you! xx
I enjoyed the tour and your lovely images, Inese!
Thank you so much! 🙂
You have such an eye for natural beauty. It’s one thing take an image of something such as a mushroom or a tree, and an entirely different thing to be talented enough to show that image in such a way that conveys the inner beauty behind it in a manner we can all understand. Thanks so much.
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
Thanks for reminding us how rich and beautiful our natural world is 🙂
Thank you so much, Rosaliene!
These are some beautiful images.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing
You are welcome 🙂
Gorgeous post, Inese. The Arboretum is such a treasure and is ageing very nicely. Used to be a favourite venue for son, Harry’s, birthday parties. Somehow, we never lost any of the gang of young fellas running free!
Thank you! 🙂 I imagine how fun it would be to have a party there. A very well kept place, so much to see and to learn.
Beautiful and atmospheric photos!
Thank you so much! xx