Bat Walk at Altamont Gardens

What to Expect

Altamont Gardens hosts an evening bat walk on 17 August, a seasonal, one-off event rather than one of its regular weekly tours. As dusk falls over the 40-acre estate, visitors are led through the grounds to look and listen for the bats that roost around the gardens’ mature trees, walled areas and the lake, with a guide on hand to explain what species are likely to be seen and how bat detectors work if any are brought along. Altamont’s mix of woodland, water and old stone buildings makes it good bat habitat, and the OPW, which manages the site, runs the walk as part of its wider programme of family and nature events through the summer season. Because bats only become active once the light starts to fade, the walk runs later than the garden’s usual daytime tree tours, giving families a different, quieter way to experience the estate than a normal daytime visit.

Good to Know

• Date: Monday 17 August 2026, in the evening as dusk falls; check Altamont Gardens’ Facebook page nearer the date for the exact start time.
• Venue: Altamont Gardens, Tullow, Co. Carlow, signposted from the R724.
• Free, in keeping with the gardens’ general free admission; a €2 charge applies for the pay-and-display car park.
• Suitable for families with older children, though an evening event with limited light is worth judging against your own children’s bedtime and comfort with the dark.
• Phone 059 915 9444 or email altamontgardens@opw.ie for details or to check the walk is going ahead, since outdoor wildlife events can be weather-dependent.
• Wear layers and bring a torch, as paths are unlit once the light fades.

Getting There

Altamont Gardens is around 5km from Tullow town off the R724 towards Bunclody, with OPW signage from the main road. On-site parking is available, though visitors should plan to leave before full darkness makes the unlit car park harder to navigate.