Historical houses & gardens

BIRR CASTLE DEMESNE – A GLORIOUS CENTRE OF SCIENCE AND HORTICULTURE

The gardens at Birr are set in a landscape of 50 hectares and contain some of the largest and rarest tree species found in Ireland. The gardens have a rich history attached to them. They were originally landscaped around the lake in the eighteenth century by Sir William Parsons, and over the generations of the Parsons family the demesne has increased in beauty and interest. The demesne is also home to Ireland’s historic Science centre, where visitors may travel back to the time to when Birr Castle was a hub of scientific discovery and innovation. Private visits to the castle, hosted by Lord & Lady Rosse can be arranged for groups

EMO COURT – EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MANSION AND LANDSCAPED GARDENS

Emo Court was designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for the Earls of Portarlington and is a magnificent example of the neoclassical style. During the middle of this century it was owned by the Jesuits, it was then acquired and extensively restored by Mr. Cholmeley-Harrison in the 1960s. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland which were first laid out in the eighteenth century and contain formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks with many fine trees and shrubs. The house and gardens were taken into State ownership in 1994.

HEYWOOD GARDENS

Colonel William Hutchinson Poe commissioned the leading architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, to plan the gardens at Heywood. Known as 'The Italian Gardens,' they are the only example of Lutyens' work outside of Dublin. The gardens were completed in 1912. They consist of formal gardens, lakes, woodland and architectural features, such as Gothic gates and artificial ruins, embellished with medieval pieces such as the window taken from Aghaboe Abbey. The gardens in Heywood remained as structurally intact as they were when they were completed at the turn of the century.