Choose Ireland » Parks and Gardens

Belvedere House and Gardens

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:54:41 +0000

Located in a scenic area on the northeastern coast of Lough Ennel, this haunting estate was built by Richard Cassels in 1740 for its first occupant, the first earl of Belvedere, Robert Rochfort.
Rochfort married a woman named Mary Moleswoth, who disgraced him by carrying on an affair with Rochfort’s younger brother. After she bore his child, Robert placed her in another home owned by the family, where she remained behind locked doors for years, while her husband enjoyed the mansion and spent his time and money feuding with his family.
The result of one feud can still be seen as a castle ruin on the property that Rochfort built to obstruct the view of his neighboring brother’s estate. Other ‘follies’ were built by Rochfort on the property, including one called the Jealous Wall that remains the largest in Ireland.
The main house also served as a hunting and fishing lodge and is now entered using the servant’s door. The interior features lovely rococo plasterwork ceilings with extraordinary cornices and a variety of Palladian and bow windows looking out over spectacular parkland views.
Belvedere House is situated on 160 acres that include woodlands and beautiful gardens, as well as a lake with several islands. Ninian Nevin designed the charming walled garden in 1857. It is renowned across Ireland for its collection of exotic plants. Visitors can ride a tram through the grounds to experience a wealth of natural beauty. The property also features a children’s playground, animal reserve and coffee shop.

Gortin Glen Forest Park

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:49:11 +0000

Located on the western fringe of the scenic Sperrin Mountains, the trees at Gortin Glen Forest Park were planted with the purpose of producing coniferous trees for lumber. The on site tree farm distinguishes Gortin Glen from other facilities of its kind.
The park is one of a few in Ireland that maintains a drive through tour; a five mile long paved road through many breathtaking views. There are several stopping areas where tourists can relax, enjoy the scenery and take photographs. The walking trail is posted with explanations of various sites along the path. Picnic areas are scattered through the forest at various points, and there are footpaths that twist and turn, leading visitors to some surprisingly beautiful locations.
Plant species include Sitka Spruce trees, purple bell heather, pink blossomed cross-leaf heather, and ling heather. Sitka deer also populate the area. The named paths include Nature Trail, Lady’s View Trail, and Gortin Burn Walk, a portion of which is connected to Ulster Way.
At the entrance to the walking portion of the park, there is an indoor exhibition centre and a few enclosures where visitors can observe wildlife at close range.
Gortin Glen Forest Park also maintains a play area for the enjoyment of the children as well as a souvenir shop for children of all ages.

Dundrum Plantarum

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:55:09 +0000

This popular attraction encompasses eight acres of plants, including a two-mile long walk through land covered in beautiful trees and shrubs. There are more than 60,000 individual plants at Dundrum Plantarum, of 2000 different varieties – some of them extremely rare.
The grounds are attractively accented with Celtic themed structures and sculptures that include dolmens, crannogs and fairy forts. Water displays are also featured, such as waterfalls and lakes stocked with decorative species of fish.
The plantarum is located near historic Dundrum Village and is inhabited by large numbers of birds and native wildlife. There is also a garden centre on the premises.

Holy Cross Gardens

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:51:56 +0000

Holy Cross Abbey Gardens are located on the grounds of the Cistercian Abbey founded in 1169. They contain a set of Stations of the Cross erected in memory of St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin priest who bore the stigmata (physical wounds of Jesus Christ) for fifty years.
Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, in Italy. In 1918, he received the stigmata, which he described to his spiritual advisor as a vision where he saw a person with the stigmata, wounds dripping blood. After the vision disappeared, Padre Pio found himself with the same bleeding wounds, which he experienced nearly every day for the rest of his life, or nearly fifty years.
Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968, in his cell, surrounded by his brothers. The aroma of fragrant flowers filled the room when he died, just as it always had when the wounds appeared. More than 100,000 people attended his funeral.
In addition to daily masses, monthly devotional prayer services and Masses are held at Holy Cross Abbey, many of them outdoors in what are also referred to as the Padre Pio Gardens.
Identical Stations of the Cross to those donated in his memory at Holy Cross Abbey can also be found at the Vatican; they were given to Pope John Paul II when he visited Ireland in 1979.

Carnagh Forest

Brian — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:19:08 +0000

Known as one of Ireland’s most beautiful forest and nature areas, Carnagh Forest Park features walking trails framed by a wide selection of tree species – both deciduous and coniferous. Adjacent lakes are populated with plenty of perch and trout, and the nature reserve is home to many extraordinary birds and insects.

Hilton Park

Brian — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:17:45 +0000

The estate at Hilton Park has been the site of a grand house ever since the early 1600’s. Originally named Kilshanless, it was also called Maddenton before it was christened as Hilton Park in the late 18th century.
A fire in 1803, started by a servant, destroyed the original structure along with the renovated portion added by Samuel Madden in 1734. His entire collection of art and archival materials was also lost to the flames.
The house was rebuilt over a period of years, while the family lived in an apartment over the stable. In the 1870’s, it was redesigned and remodeled by John Madden and William Hague, a famous designer of Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals. Together, they worked to achieve an effect that resembled the Italian palazzo. The new design featured an ornate staircase, as well as new halls, a gallery, and an exquisite ballroom. The entire basement was excavated more deeply to accommodate the new ground floor of the building.
Perhaps because of the landlord tenant problems during this time period, fortification features were also added to the renovation of Hilton Park. Steel shutters and doors were added to protect the landowner and his family within.
The house at Hilton Park today looks very much the same. Modern conveniences such as electricity and central heating have been added. Some of the huge rooms have been divided into smaller ones. Period furnishings are abundant throughout, including a magnificent Erard concert grand piano that is said to have once been played by Chopin. The views are spectacular from the grounds, and the many luxurious bedrooms are occupied by a constant flow of guests.
Today, Hilton Park is operated by Johnny and Lucy Madden, of the eighth generation of Maddens to live at the estate, which encompasses 500 acres of forests, parklands and lakes. At the house, guests enjoy lodging and meals in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Heywood Gardens

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:55:03 +0000

Heywood Gardens are the most outstanding attraction of Ballinakill, a small town just south of Abbeyleix. The small Georgian village was the home of English Architect Sir Edward Lutyens, who designed the landscape to include formal gardens among the lakes and woodlands in the early 20th century.
Old gothic gates and ancient features embellish the grounds, complete with lawns, borders, and a renowned Italian sunken garden. The Luytens house was destroyed by fire, but garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike enjoy the grounds.

Mountmellick

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:50:19 +0000

The village of Mountmellick is located on the Owenass River. Historically, it was an important centre for woolen mills and sugar beet processing.
But Mountmellick is probably most well known for its lace, and its distinct style of embroidery identified by the following:
•Large floral designs taken directly from nature
•Fringed edges and button holed pieces
•Closed designs
In the later nineteenth century, the Mountmellick style of embroidery was popularly used in children’s clothes, aprons, and ladies wear. The style grew in popularity along with other Irish needlework innovations such as Limerick lace, Carrickmacross lace and Muslin embroidery.
A Quaker woman named Joanna Carter is thought to be the creator of the Mountmellick embroidery techniques. She lived in a thatched house that also functioned as a school for about fifteen girls, some Protestant and some Catholic. According to historical records, Mrs. Carter was responsible for a variety of award-winning needlework designs, including quilts, toilet covers, and doilies. She also created a noteworthy quilt for the Countess of Eglinton. A woman named Margaret Beale, wife of Joseph Beale, a local manufacturer at Mountmellick, is also recorded as having been instrumental in the development of Mountmellick embroidery.
Early developments in the art of needlework in the area are traced back to the Society of Friends school in 1786, where girls learned to do needlework as a means of earning money for textbooks.
In 1880, an industrial association was formed in Mountmellick to give financially distressed women a way to earn an income through needlework. Their work became widely known and the association, founded by a Mrs. Milner, employed fifty women by 1890. Mountmellick embroidery grew into a countywide business, experiencing its largest volume of production in those few years at the end of the century. It remained well known as a respected craft form for many years, and President Kennedy was presented with a white quilt featuring Mountmellick embroidery in 1963.
Today, Sr. Teresa Margaret tries to keep the form of embroidery alive. A self-taught needle crafter, she passes on the traditional techniques at classes held at the Mountmellick Development association building.
Mountmellick Museum is located in a renovated grain mill that overlooks the river. It includes a variety of exhibits, including several lace collections, as well as a restaurant.

Garadice Lake

Brian — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:47:16 +0000

Garadice Lake is a 1200-acre lake in County Leitrim with excellent angling opportunities for a variety of species including roach, perch, pike, rudd and hybrids.
The lake also contains many islands littered with castle ruins and a ring fort dedicated to a sun god named Crom Cruaich who was believed to have been destroyed by St. Patrick.

Carrick-on-Shannon Workhouse and Famine Memorial

Brian — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:34:06 +0000

The Workhouse was built in 1841 as one of three planned for County Leitrim – at Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton and Mohill – by the Poor Law enacted in 1838. This workhouse in Carrick-on-Shannon is the only one that survives.
It had a capacity for 800 inmates, which was continually tested in its initial years of operation. It was run by a board of Guardians composed of Justices of the Peace and various local property owners, and handled on a day to day basis by the Master and Matron. Staff members included chaplains, a record clerk, medical officer and school teachers.
Families who came to live at the workhouse were forced to dwell in separate quarters, and children met with their parents only on Sundays.
In the period leading up to the Great Famine, several smaller incidents preceded it. For example, in 1845, County Leitrim experienced its first potato blight. Corn was imported from America to feed the people, while public building projects provided work for the needy.
Then in 1846, the potato crop failed completely and Carrick-on Shannon became the scene of rampant starvation, illness and death. The workhouse became overcrowded and the situation was desperate, with 12 deaths or more per week. Soup kitchens were established in 1847, alleviating some of the hunger, but disease was more difficult to eradicate.
After the Famine, the workhouse continued to operate until the 1930s, when it was transformed into a geriatric hospital called St. Patrick’s, which has developed a reputation as one of the best in Ireland.
A memorial to those who died during the Famine coexists here, in the rooms of the original whitewashed attic that remain, as well as the graveyard at the rear of the hospital, which has been transformed into a memorial garden.