Irish Arts Minister Martin Cullen has officially opened the latest phase in the restoration and development of the Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum in the village of Inistioge.

Carved out of the Kilkenny landscape, this setting is a complex of formal and informal gardens, which includes an arboretum with specimen trees from Asia and South America, a rose garden, yew walk and terraced garden.

The phase of the project opened by Minister Cullen includes the restoration of the Winter Garden, Arboretum, Walled Garden and Flower Terrace.

Earlier phases of the project included the restoration of the Turner Conservatory, the addition of a rustic summer-house and the installation of a fountain to replace the original.

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The Restoration Project, which has been underway since 1999, is being led by Kilkenny County Council, with support from Coillte, the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland, Kilkenny Civic Trust and the LEADER programmes.

More than €2.1m has already been invested in this project.

Minister Cullen said: "I am pleased that this work was allocated significant funds from Fáilte Ireland under the Tourism Product Development Scheme 2000-2006, which was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

"Further development of this magnificent garden is planned and Kilkenny County Council is working with tourism providers in this area to promote Woodstock as part of a South East Heritage Trail."

He added: "This entire restoration project has been overseen by an expert steering committee and I would like to commend the representatives of Coillte, the Heritage Council, Kilkenny County Council and the local community for their endeavours.

"Every aspect of the restoration has been authentic to the period 1840-1890 with the use of plants and materials typical to this era."

(PR/JM)