Beauty turns deadly in Waterford!

It will be a case of beauty turning deadly in Waterford this Halloween when the shadows of Mount Congreve Gardens will come alive, 'Poison & Petals: A Halloween Garden Tour' 

Every garden has its secrets and as dusk falls on Friday, October 31, visitors to Mount Congreve will be invited to step off the familiar paths and into the darker side of nature. 

For sixty minutes, an expert guide will lead people through groves and glades where beauty conceals danger, where ancient folklore clings to twisted roots, and where poisonous plants tell stories far older than the walls of the estate. 

A spokesperson said the walk will reveal the truth every gardener knows in their bones: "not all that grows should be touched".

"Mount Congreve is celebrated around the world as a sanctuary of colour and splendour, but beneath its blossoms lies a heritage steeped in mystery," said the spokesperson.

"The gardens stretch across 70 acres of woodland, winding paths and many rare plants," she added.

"While in spring and summer they are places of vibrancy and light, on All Hallows’ Eve their mood shifts. The same petals that once dazzled in daylight now hint at stories of superstition and folklore."

The tour will begin at 5.33pm - as the light fades - and it promises an atmosphere heavy with suspense. 

Guests will need sturdy shoes and a readiness to walk into the gathering dark, guided only by stories and shadows. 

Tickets for the tour are priced €15 per adult, for non-members, and €10 for members and residents.

"'Poison & Petals' is not for the faint-hearted," said the spokesperson.

"This is an adults-only encounter with the untamed, unsettling side of the natural world, where the line between beauty and danger is as fine as the edge of a leaf," she added.

Booking is essential, and spaces are expected to fill quickly. To reserve a place go to www.mountcongreve.com