Kilcoan Gardens

Kilcoan Gardens TownTactics (Atlas Obscura User)

Kilcoan Gardens located on the Islandmagee peninsula in East Antrim is one of seven public and private gardens in County Antrim. A few are well known like the Antrim Castle Gardens and Carnfunnock Country Park, but others such as the Kilcoan Gardens are hidden gems.

Kilcoan Gardens was the winner of Britain’s Bee Friendliest Gardens in 2012 by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Kilcoan Gardens is comprised of acres of prime farmland and young woodland complete with amazing views of Larne Lough, Magheramorne Quarry, and the East Antrim coastline. There is a mixture of wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, vegetable and herb gardens, orchards, wildlife ponds, and trails.

The site also provides a rich habitat for some of Ireland’s most spectacular wildlife including bats, hares, badgers, butterflies, bees, moths, and various species of bird.

Know Before You Go

Kilcoan Gardens is located on the Islandmagee peninsula of East Antrim along Middle Road. To get here, drive towards Whitehead in County Antrim and cross the bridge on Lough Road to Islandmagee. From there, follow Middle Road towards the Hamlet of Mullaghboy until you reach Kilcoan Gardens.

Alternatively, you can take a train to Ballycarry or Whitehead train station and then cycle to Islandmagee, and then onto Kilcoan Gardens.

The gardens are only open during the spring and summer months, and tend to be open only between Wednesday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is parking available at the site and you can also purchase many of the garden and herb plants.