Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland is an all-Ireland non-profit voluntary association of owners of heritage properties around the country which open their doors to the public and represent a broad spectrum of Ireland's architectural and botanical gems.

The organisation has just launched its 2004 booklet, an amazingly comprehensive guide to Georgian buildings of the 18th century, Gothic revival houses of the Victorian era and restored formal gardens and "wilderness" gardens. The 2004 additions include Birr Castle Demesne, which boasts the tallest box hedges in the world and the great telescope built in 1845, Shankill Castle and Gardens in Co Kilkenny, Ballaghmore Castle in Co Laois, Limerick's Hunt Museum and Dublin's Airfield Gardens.

Apart from the photographs and information in the booklet, buying it means you are helping the group lobby for conservation and tax concessions to ensure important heritage houses and gardens do not continue to decline.

The 2004 booklet contains descriptions of all houses and gardens, admission prices and opening hours. It is for sale through tourist information offices countrywide for €3.80.