SOME OF THE GLASSHOUSES AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS
The National Botanic Gardens in Dublin boasts a remarkable collection of glasshouses, each with its unique purpose and architectural style.
The Turner Curvilinear Range: This iconic Victorian structure, designed by Richard Turner, is a marvel of engineering and artistry. Meticulously restored in the 1990s, it retains its original elegance and now showcases a diverse collection of plants from various climate zones. It is a recipient of the Europa Nostra Award, recognizing its significance in conservation architecture.
The Great Palm House: Built in 1884, this majestic glasshouse underwent a major restoration in 2004. Today, it thrives as a captivating showcase for towering palms and other tropical plants, offering visitors a glimpse into a lush and exotic world. It also shares the Europa Nostra Award with the Curvilinear Range.
The Teak House: Though significantly renovated in 2009, with many original teak members replaced with Iroko timber and steel elements replaced with stainless steel, it retains its well-detailed character. It now serves as a versatile space for special exhibitions and events like the annual Orchid Fair and Bonsai Exhibition.
The Alpine House: This specialised house provides a controlled environment for cultivating alpine plants, mimicking their high-altitude habitats with features like rock gardens and scree slopes. Visitors can admire these unique plants and their adaptations to harsh conditions.
The Cactus and Succulent House: Dedicated to arid-adapted plants, this house features a dry, sunny environment perfect for showcasing the diverse shapes, sizes, and textures of cacti and succulents.
The Orchid House: This humid and warm house creates the ideal conditions for cultivating orchids, renowned for their delicate beauty and diverse forms. Visitors can enjoy a captivating display of these exquisite flowers.
The Victoria Waterlily House: Originally built to house the giant Victoria amazonica waterlily, this house features a large pond designed for this spectacular plant. It may also display other aquatic plants and its accessibility to the public can vary.
These glasshouses, each with its unique charm and purpose, collectively contribute to the rich botanical diversity and architectural heritage of the National Botanic Gardens. They offer visitors a fascinating journey through different plant worlds and a glimpse into the history of horticultural practices and architectural innovation.
The Turner Curvilinear Range: This iconic Victorian structure, designed by Richard Turner, is a marvel of engineering and artistry. Meticulously restored in the 1990s, it retains its original elegance and now showcases a diverse collection of plants from various climate zones. It is a recipient of the Europa Nostra Award, recognizing its significance in conservation architecture.
The Great Palm House: Built in 1884, this majestic glasshouse underwent a major restoration in 2004. Today, it thrives as a captivating showcase for towering palms and other tropical plants, offering visitors a glimpse into a lush and exotic world. It also shares the Europa Nostra Award with the Curvilinear Range.
The Teak House: Though significantly renovated in 2009, with many original teak members replaced with Iroko timber and steel elements replaced with stainless steel, it retains its well-detailed character. It now serves as a versatile space for special exhibitions and events like the annual Orchid Fair and Bonsai Exhibition.
The Alpine House: This specialised house provides a controlled environment for cultivating alpine plants, mimicking their high-altitude habitats with features like rock gardens and scree slopes. Visitors can admire these unique plants and their adaptations to harsh conditions.
The Cactus and Succulent House: Dedicated to arid-adapted plants, this house features a dry, sunny environment perfect for showcasing the diverse shapes, sizes, and textures of cacti and succulents.
The Orchid House: This humid and warm house creates the ideal conditions for cultivating orchids, renowned for their delicate beauty and diverse forms. Visitors can enjoy a captivating display of these exquisite flowers.
The Victoria Waterlily House: Originally built to house the giant Victoria amazonica waterlily, this house features a large pond designed for this spectacular plant. It may also display other aquatic plants and its accessibility to the public can vary.
These glasshouses, each with its unique charm and purpose, collectively contribute to the rich botanical diversity and architectural heritage of the National Botanic Gardens. They offer visitors a fascinating journey through different plant worlds and a glimpse into the history of horticultural practices and architectural innovation.
SOME OF THE GLASSHOUSES AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS