Irish National Stud
A working thoroughbred stud founded by a man who bred horses by astrology, with a Japanese garden made by a Japanese gardener in 1906.
Updated 19 October 2026
Colonel William Hall-Walker, a British brewing heir, set up a stud at Tully in 1900 and ran it on principles that were eccentric even then: he cast horoscopes for every foal and sold or kept animals on what the charts said, and built the boxes with lantern roofs so the stars could influence the horses directly. It worked well enough that he bred multiple Classic winners. He gave the stud to the British state in 1915 and it passed to Ireland in 1943. It is a working operation - stallions stand here and foals are born from February - and the tour goes through the yards. Hall-Walker also commissioned Tassa Eida, a Japanese gardener, with his son Minoru, to build a Japanese garden between 1906 and 1910 laid out as the journey of a life from birth to the afterlife; it is among the finest in Europe. A separate Saint Fiachra's Garden of woodland and water was added in 1999.
History
In 1900 William Walker, later Lord Wavertree, used the winnings of The Soarer's Grand National of 1896 to buy the Tully estate for a stud, and in 1906 he engaged the Japanese gardener Tassa Eida to design a Japanese garden, which took four years and forty local labourers to build. The Irish National Stud itself was incorporated on 11 April 1946 (Wikipedia, Irish National Stud).
What you'll find
- The Japanese Gardens - built by Tassa Eida from 1906, laid out as a life's journey.
- The working yards - stallions, mares and foals from February onward.
- The astrology story - lantern-roofed boxes built to let the stars in.
- Saint Fiachra's Garden - the 1999 woodland and water garden.
When to go
February to July to see foals; April to September for the gardens at their best. It is a working farm, so parts close around foaling and covering.
What to expect
A working stud - access to yards depends on the day's operations and can be restricted. Stallions are shown at set times only. Ticketed as a full attraction. The Japanese Gardens can be busy with coach parties.
Nearby
Kildare town and its round tower are two kilometres away; the Curragh is east.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q108824, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Irish National Stud
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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