Castlewellan Forest 2
An arboretum is defined as: ‘a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.’ Northern Ireland’s National Arboretum is located here at Castlewellan Forest in County Down. Some of the trees here hold records across the United Kingdom and Ireland for their height. The overall collection of trees here, ranks as the finest in Ireland and among the top three in the British Isles. They are set in beautiful surroundings which include fountains, ponds, ornamental greenhouses and broad sweeping scenic views.