Business After Hours at Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens

Opportunity to preview the new Kokoro Heritage Centre and Café at the Japanese Gardens Tramore

The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens opened in 2015 and now welcome in the region of 37,000 visitors annually. The gardens tell the extraordinary story of Irish/Greek writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904). Hearn spent much of his childhood in Tramore and through the stones and structures within the gardens his extraordinary life is celebrated. Lafcadio Hearn left Ireland and travelled across the world to Japan where he went on to marry a Japanese woman from a Samurai family, he became known as ‘The Great Interpreter of Japan to the West’.
 
In 2017 the gardens were honoured by a visit by Her Imperial Highness, Princess Takamado of Japan and more recently Agnes Aylward, Chairperson and founder of the gardens received one of the highest civilian honours in Japan given by the Emperor and Japanese Government ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. These honours recognise the enormous efforts made to promote Japanese cultural and the high esteem to which these gardens are held in Japan. Visitors come from all around Ireland and the world to the town of Tramore to enjoy these authentic Japanese Gardens.
 
Open all year round, events are held here throughout the year and include family events at Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas, weddings, cultural events and concerts.
 
Summer 2026 will see the opening of the new ‘Kokoro Heritage Centre and Café, here locals and visitors will be able to enjoy fresh local produce in the new Kokoro Café, which will feature a large deck overlooking Tramore beach and bay on the upper floor. The lower floor will be a new indoor venue for cultural events, family occasions, weddings, talks and lectures and will be available for use for corporate events.
 
This event will be an opportunity for local businesses to enjoy a preview of the new Kokoro building in advance of the official opening in the summer, all welcome.