Historical Houses & Gardens
Historical Houses & Gardens
During your stay at Ballyfin, guests can explore a rich tapestry of local history through visits to several remarkable historical houses in the surrounding area. Just a short drive away, you’ll find Emo Court, an elegant neoclassical mansion designed by the renowned architect James Gandon in the late 18th century, set within beautiful landscaped gardens. Another nearby gem is Birr Castle, a majestic estate that has been home to the Parsons family for over 400 years and boasts both fascinating science heritage and expansive grounds. For those interested in Georgian architecture and aristocratic life, the heritage town of Abbeyleix also offers fine examples of period buildings and a charming glimpse into Ireland’s past. These excursions offer a perfect complement to the grandeur and serenity of Ballyfin itself, enriching your stay with a deeper connection to the region’s storied legacy.
Set in the heritage town of Birr, Birr Castle Demesne spans 120 acres of stunning parklands and gardens, featuring over 5,000 species of trees and plants, wildlife, and scenic trails along rivers and waterfalls. Discover the Great Telescope, the Lunar Heat Machine, one of the world’s oldest darkrooms, welcome videos, a playground, and Ireland's Historic Science Centre.
Explore the legacy of the Parsons family, renowned for their pioneering work in science, engineering, and astronomy over 400 years. Suitable for nature lovers, families, photographers, scientists, and history enthusiasts.
Emo Court is a quintessential neo-classical mansion, set in the midst of the ancient Slieve Bloom Mountains. The famous architect James Gandon, fresh from his work on the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin, set to work on Emo Court in 1790. However, the building that stands now was not completed until some 70 years later.
The estate was home to the earls of Portarlington until the War of Independence forced them to abandon Ireland for good. The Jesuits moved in some years later and, as the Novitiate of the Irish Province, the mansion played host to some 500 of the order’s trainees.
A Major Cholmeley-Harrison took over Emo Court in the 1960s and fully restored it. He opened the beautiful gardens and parkland to the public before finally presenting the entire estate to the people of Ireland in 1994.
Visitors to Emo Court can enjoy the lake and woodland walks or a meander through the gardens before relaxing in the charming tearooms
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.
