At the foot of the Sugar
Loaf Mountains, Powerscourt Estate is said
to contain Ireland's finest gardens. They
were commissioned in the 1730s by Richard
Wingfield, who was the 1st Viscount of Powerscourt.
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 1974 the house, called the
Palladian Mansion (photo above), was gutted
by fire. It dates back to 1731 when it was
built on the site of a Norman castle ruins.
The design for the house actually came from
the famous architect, Richard Castle (pronounced
"ca'sell"), who designed many of downtown
Dublin's historic buildings, as well as other
structures around the country. Castle was
a popular architect of his time and designed
Powerscourt House based on the Renaissance
architectural style of Andrea Palladio.
The gardens remained open and in excellent
condition between 1974 and 1997, when the
house was finally reopened to the public by
the current owners of the estate, the Slazenger's.
Gardens within the Powerscourt
Estate still remain the focal point of the
estate and include wonders such as:
Pebble Mosaic
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 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.
The Perron
The Perron (above)
- a steep hillside cutaway to form a type of
green semi-circle 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.
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.
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
accross 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 vewing areas is a grotto beneath
the pair of Pegasus's.
Triton Lake
Dolphin Pond - on the opposite
side of the estate from the Japenese 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.
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.
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
Bamberg Gate (photo left)
- 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 - beside
the house on the path to the Rose Garden.
The House - several small
shops featuring Irish made goods from
children's toys and clothes to adult clothes,
gardening items, books and even chocolates!
The Restaurant - Avoca Kitchens
run the in-house restaurant where there
is seating on the patio, which overlooks
the garden.
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.
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
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 access from the main
house.
This waterfall is Ireland's highest
waterfall, stetching some 425 feet!
One of the major events which took
place on this location was the filming
of the movie Excalibur. A bridge was
constructed for the scene 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.
