Powerscourt Estate

Powerscourt Estate

 

Location: Enniskerry, County Wicklow    Map

Constructed: 1731- 41

Tel. 01 204 6000

Bus: 185  from Bart DART station

Open: 9:30am- 5:30pm (dusk Oct- Mar) daily

Closed: 25th & 26th December

 

Powerscourt Estate is a magnificent residence in Enniskerry, County Wicklow in Ireland. Powerscourt Estate was constructed in 1731- 41. It was commissioned around 1730; further ornamental gardens were added in the middle of the 19th century on behalf of the 7th Viscount. Particularly noteworthy parts of the complex are the Italian and Japanese gardens, the staircase between the Manor and Lake Triton, the "Pepper Pot Tower" (a small tower from 1911) and the Bamberg Gate (a gate from the Bamberg Cathedral). The small pet cemetery on which dogs, cats, ponies, horses and cows have been buried – some for 90 years – is also remarkable.

The Powerscourt mansion, located in the middle of the gardens, built around an older building around 1730, according to Richard Cassel's designs, completely burnt out inside in 1974. Meanwhile, a renovation is underway, which is largely completed. The manor house, which was reopened in 1997, is now partly a Museum (impressive documents on the fire and reconstruction are also shown), other parts are used for events and for shops. In the manor house and on the grounds, among other things, boutiques and a garden center today. There is also a golf course on the premises.

Near the garden (about an hour's walk, separate entrance) is the Powerscourt Waterfall (Eas Chúirt an Phaoraigh) - the highest in Ireland. According to various sources, the river Dargle falls between 90 and 130 m above a granite rock.