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The current house dates back to 1731 when
it was built on the site of Powers Castle. The house was
built in the Palladian style of architecture, named for
the Italian architect called Andrea Palladio who lived
from 1508-1580. The 18th century saw a revival in this
building style across Ireland thanks to architect Richard
Cassel (also sometimes Castle in some documents), who
designed many of downtown Dublin's historic buildings,
as well as other structures around the country, including
.
The estate thrived in its first years but
suffered during the famine, as many great estates did.
By the mid- 19th century the original plan for the estate
was revived. Between 1858 and 1875 fabulous ornamental
gardens were created by the 7th Viscount of Powerscourt.
Hand wrought gates were installed between gardens; urns
and statues were placed in strategic locations; and several
ponds were placed as focal points in each theme garden.
In 1961, the ownership of the house changed
when it was sold to the Slazenger's. Ralph Slazenger set
about to restore the house and gardens, as they were becoming
rather derelict.
1974 saw a dramatic change when the house was gutted
by fire. All of the furnishings, most of which dated back
to the 1600s, were destroyed. However, the gardens survived,
so the Wingfield's decided to open them to the public
as a way to generate income in order to restore the house.
Over time small sections of the house were restored, which
mostly included the ground floor. Two sections of this
space were leased out, both to the Avoca Handweavers group
who opened a cafe and a restaurant on one end of the house
and a retail shop on the other end. Visitors today enter
the gardens through the middle of the house. In 1997,
the
upper floor was reopened, which includes
a new sweeping staircase, a small room with rescued artifacts
and the restored ballroom.
Ralph Slazenger was living on the Isle of
Man when he passed away in 2006. He was 91 years of age,
and though he was living away from Powerscourt, he left
the management of the extensive grounds to his family.
The estate now includes the house and gardens, thousands
of acres of land, a garden center, golf course and a property
firm. He was an inventor and science buff, but Powerscourt's
restoration was his prize achievement. He survived the
house fire, an armed robbery and the sale of the remaining
artifacts that once belonged to the Earls of Powerscourt.
His ashes were interred in a vault in the house.
Even though the house is mainly open as a retail center,
the gardens remain the focal point of the estate and include
wonders such as —
Pebble Mosaic - several tons of black and white
pebbles were removed from Bray Beach and brought to
the estate when the Perron was built. A hand wrought
iron balustrade surrounds this viewing area. Below is
a water fountain with a pair of Neptune's and a sundial.
Italian Garden - laid out in the very beginning
of Powerscourt's history on the uppermost level of The
Perron.
The Perron - a steep hillside cutaway to form
a type of green semicircle of many levels. There is
a main pathway with four sets of steps from the house
leading to Triton Lake, which is actually the largest
pond on the estate.
Triton Lake - designed for the first gardens
that were built on the estate in the 1730s. It is named
for the fountain in the center, which is a recreation
of a 17th century sculpture by Bernini in Rome Italy.
It's best viewed from the platform at the Pebble Mosaic
and across the Perron. Triton kneels in the center of
the lake with water spraying overhead. This is the largest
lake on the estate. Overlooking the pond is a pair of
magnificent Pegasus's, the Wingfield family emblem.
And not evident from the viewing areas is a grotto beneath
the pair of Pegasus's.
The Pepper Pot Tower - built in 1911 when the
lady of the house commissioned the design from a pepper
pot that was used on her table. The tower is open to
the public.
Japanese Gardens - two paths will lead you into
the sunken gardens, the first via a set of steps, the
second further along the path beside Triton Lake. These
gardens are built on traditional Japanese style with
a stone lined grotto, tiny water fountains and ponds,
bonsai cut shrubs, tiny painted bridges and other ornamentation.
This garden dates back to Edwardian times and was created
out of the original boglands that once surrounded the
estate.
Pets Cemetery - that family plot for the Wingfield's
family dogs and cats, as well as a horses and prize
cattle! This small hillside graveyard will pass through
on the way to the Dolphin Pond.
Dolphin Pond - on the opposite side of the estate
from the Japanese Gardens and can be accessed by following
the stone path around Triton Lake. Stay to the left
when the path forks and follow it through the trees.
When the road forks again you have two choices of path
to take. Stay left and take the Azalea Walk where you'll
see wild Azaleas and Rhododendrons growing in profusion.
Stay right and walk up the steep path to the Dolphin
Pond. This was a small fishpond designed in the 18th
century. It's surrounded by exotic conifers and features
a prominent fountain in the center decorated with dolphins.
Walled Garden - a path leads between the Dolphin
Pond to the Rose Gardens and is lined with dozens of
herb plants. Over the left side of the path are the
estate greenhouses/nursery where estate plants are still
grown. Towards the end of this path is another small
pond that is usually covered with aquatic plants and
lotuses.
Rose Gardens - situated against one wall of
the estate where there are double glass greenhouses.
This is a simple garden with lush lawns, shape-cut trees
and a few pieces of statuary. Between the greenhouses
is yet another pond. On the far side of the pond are
a smaller sundial and the busts of some of the Greek
gods. You can enter the greenhouses. The one on the
right of the fountain has one of the last remaining
grape vines that once produced fruit to make estate
wine.
Bamberg Gate - made in Vienna in the 1770s.
It is hand wrought and gold leafed. It was commissioned
by the 7th Viscount and brought from Bamberg Cathedral
in Bavaria. At one time this gate would have been the
main entry onto the estate.
Statue of Laocoon and other statuary around the
property - the statue of Laocoon is beside the
house on the path to the Rose Garden. There are a number
of statues around the estate. Visitors may find them
peaking through the overgrowth and in some unlikely
places.
What to see inside the house —
Avoca Store - Avoca Handweavers not only runs
the cafe kitchen, they also have a retail outlet with
several small shops featuring Irish made goods from
children's toys and clothes to adult clothes, gardening
items, books and even chocolates!
The Restaurant - While on the estate, be sure
to have a meal in the cafe, which is run by Avoca Kitchens,
which specializes in vegetarian fare. Sit outside on
the patio and enjoy views of the upper gardens and the
stunning Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance.
The Grand Ballroom - been recreated and is used
for private functions such as weddings and meetings.
These are the only two rooms open to the public currently.
Enter through a turnstile on the ground floor and walk
up the grand staircase to the upper floor where you'll
see a small brick room that shows a short video of the
history of the house as well as a sculpture that was
rescued from the house fire.
Around the estate —
Powerscourt Golf Club and Driving Range - across
from the entrance to the house. This is a modern addition
to the estate.
The Nursery - a pair of glass houses where you
can buy plants, containers, books and gifts. (plants
are restricted from US customs)
Powerscourt Waterfall - part of the original
estate but today visitors will have to drive to it since
it's at the back of the estate. Exit the estate and
turn right, following the signs. There is no longer
direct access for tourists from the house.
This waterfall is Ireland's highest waterfall, stretching
121m, or 398 feet!
King George IV came to Ireland and visited Powerscourt
in 1821. The Wingfield's wished to bring the King to
see their magnificent waterfall, so they constructed
a viewing platform at the base of the waterfall to bring
the King closer to the falls. A dam was made at the
top of the falls. The intention was to impress the King
with not just the height of the falls, but also the
power of the water.
Fortunately, the King was spent too much time at Powerscourt
House and never made it to the falls, as when the dam
was removed it washed away the viewing platform!
In 1858, the 7th Viscount Powerscourt established a
deer park on the property and had imported in several
head of Japanese Sika Deer, which are now a common species
all over Ireland.
Most recently, the area has become a favorite place
for family picnics, with a children's playground and
access to woodland walks.
Another major event that took place on this location
was the filming of the movie Excalibur. A bridge was
constructed for the scene over the stream where Arthur
meets, and eventually battles Lancelot of the Lakes.
The bridge has since been removed but you will definitely
recognize the waterfall once you see it and the movie.
Powerscourt further afield —
Powerscourt Townhouse is located in the heart
of Dublin City. This was the Wingfield's city residence.
Today the house has been converted into a number of shops
and cafes. A canopy was constructed behind the house,
which connects to surrounding buildings to create a stunning
courtyard. The original architecture of the buildings
can still be seen from within the courtyard.
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limited access in the house, gardens mostly accessible
- stay on paths