Day
Two - Powerscourt House & Gardens...
Located near Enniskerry (Co. Wicklow) and only 18 miles
south from Dublin City, the Powerscourt Estate is a
stunning Palladian house with 19 hectares, 47 acres, of
landscape gardens (well known as one of the biggest and
most beautiful landscape gardens in Ireland).
The house was originally a 13th century castle. Later, in
the 18th century, it was extensively transformed by the
German architect Richard Cassels, between 1731 and 1741.
Just opposite the house there is a golf course, with great
views over the Wicklow Mountains. A fire in 1974 destroyed
almost completely the house, being was renovated in 1996.
Today the Powerscourt Estate is owned by the Slazenger
family and it has been converted into one of the most
popular tourist attractions in Ireland. Several shops and
also an Avoca Handweavers cafe-restaurant with delicious
light meals are located in the interior of the mansion.
From here to will get the access into the landscape gardens
(with more than 200 varieties of trees and shrubs) where
you will need to stop every five steps in order to enjoy
the incredible views, specially in a bright and sunny day.
The Italian Gardens, designed by Daniel Robertson, will
welcome you as soon as you start going down the stone
stairs. There are two possible walking routes (one takes
about on hour, the other about one and a half) and we
really liked both. So take your time and just try to follow
all the paths and trails you find. That is the best way to
know into detail these magnificent gardens.
Just in
the front of the Triton Lake, almost in the middle of the
gardens, you can see two beautiful sculptures of wing
horses. These are heraldic supporters of the Wingfield arms
and were finished in zinc by Professor Hugo Hagen, in
Berlin, in 1869.
The
garden terraces were finished during the 19th century and
it took 100 men around 12 years to complete. On the top
terraces are statues of Apollo, Diane, Belvedere and Fame
and Victory which date from the mid 19th century.
In the
middle of the gardens you can walk around the Triton Lake
and enjoy stunning views of the house and terrace gardens.
The Fountain in the center of the lake is based on the
fountain in the Piazza Barberini in Rome. From here follow
the signs to the Japanese Gardens, built during the 18th
century and considered to be the finest example of this
style in Ireland.
From the
Japanese Gardens go to the Pets Cemetery (one of the
largest of thins kind in Europe whose tombstones have been
described as "astonishingly personal") and continue to the
Dolphin Pond and finish in the Walled Gardens, the longest
herbaceous border in the country (do not forget that they
normally close the Walled Gardens at 5.30 pm during the
summer, please always check, when purchasing your tickets
in the information desk, the closing times to avoid "last
minute surprises").
Closing
the Walled Gardens, at the end of you walk, you will cross
the Bamberg Gate, brought from the Cathedral at Bamberg,
Germany and dating from 1770.
The price we paid in July 2009 for an adult admission was 8
euro. You could also check all the admission rates, opening
times and much, much more by just clicking
here.
It is said that inspiration for the garden design came from
the visits by Powerscourt Viscounts to ornamental gardens
in the Palace of Versailles, Schönbrunn Palace (Vienna) and
Schwetzingen Castle near Heidelberg (Germany). The garden
development took over 20 years to complete, in the 19th
century.
The house and gardens were used as film location for
Stanley Kubrick's
Barry Lyndon (in my
modest opinion, one of the best movies ever made). Also the
Count of Monte Cristo (2002) and David Copperfield (2000)
were filmed in the house.
... and the Powerscourt
Waterfall
Just 6 km from the Powerscourt House and Gardens you must
view the Powerscurt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland at
121m, falling its waters into the Dargle river. Formed over
ten thousand years ago by an ice formation, it takes its
waters from the surrounding mountains and bogs, and that is
why the colour of the water in the Powerscourt Waterfall is
brown, something that will bring for sure your attention
once you are there.
The waterfall is also surrounded by km and km of woods and
specimen trees, with plenty of family picnic areas,
woodland walks, playground for children and a bar-cafeteria
for snacks and cold drinks.
Powerscourt Waterfall,
comparing the size of the people on the ground you can get
an idea of how high this waterfall is
Around 1858 the 7th Viscount Powerscourt established here a
deer park and also successfully introduced the Japanese
Sikka deer to Ireland.
We recommend you to start your Powerscourt Day trip in the
Waterfall and enjoy the fantastic woodland walks for couple
of hours. Then it will be time to go back and drive to the
Powerscourt House and Gardens where you can taste a light
meal in preparation for an afternoon walk into the gardens.
The next pictures will show you how peaceful and enjoyable
the woodland around the Powerscourt Waterfall can be,
following sometimes the paths along the Dargle river. The
whole area is like a natural haven for flora and fauna that
you can explore in close detail while walking on the
several natural trails.
There is
an admission fee to be paid at the entrance of the
Powerscourt Woodland. The last time we were there (in the
middle of July 2009) it was just 5 euro. There are also
special rates for family and groups. If you live in Dublin
or near Wicklow, it could be a fantastic picnic day trip
for you and your family or friends.
By the way, the Powersocurt Waterfall was one of the the
film locations for John Booman's Excalibur
(1981).
Directions:
from Dublin City and also from Cork, drive the M50 until
the exit number 17, to Bray. You will see anyway sign roads
showing you the way to the Powerscourt House and gardens.
Very easy to find. Drive carefully the final kilometers to
the Powerscourt Estate as the roads are very narrow and you
might find even people walking or cycling on your way. From
Laragh (Glendalough): take the R755 that will bring you
almost to Enniskerry. Sign roads are very easy to be
followed.
At the end of the day for a lovely dinner and a nice
evening walk on the beach, drive to Bray, a few km south
from Dublin City, on the coast, and not too far away from
the Powerscourt House.
back to Enjoying Long
Weekends
Text
and pictures copyright © 2009 by Raúl
Corral