| Saturday 9th August 2008 Duckett's Grove with Finola Reid
Duckett’s Grove, the 18th, 19th and early 20th century home of the Duckett family, was formerly at the centre of a 12,000 acre estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. In September 2005 during Heritage Week, Carlow County Council acquired Duckett’s Grove and commenced the restoration of two inter-connecting walled gardens. This is a great opportunity to view progress on the gardens, in this their second year of growth. Finola Reid, Historic Gardens Consultant on Duckett’s Grove, will lead the tours covering the history of the estate, the type of gardens to be found at that time and the current garden structure.
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Duckett's Grove, Rainestown, Co. Carlow. t: Carlow Tourist Office 059-9131554 | f: 059-9170776
Finola Reid is the well known presenter and contributor to television, radio programmes and publications. Finola is Historic Gardens Consultant on the Duckett’s Grove restoration project and will lead guided tours around the gardens on Saturday 9th August 2008.
Duckett’s Grove, the 18th and early 19th century home of the Duckett family, formerly centred on a 12,000 acre estate and has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 200 years. The mansion was transformed into a spectacular castellated gothic fantasy by the renowned architect Thomas Cobden in 1830. Although destroyed by fire in 1933, the remaining towers and turrets and its surrounding countryside form a most romantic landscape making it one of the most photogenic estate houses in Ireland. The stunning ruin is now under the protection of Carlow County Council who will provide public access to the historic pleasure gardens and a range of visitor amenities including car parking, tea rooms and craft rooms. Carlow County Council undertook the conservation and restoration of the walled gardens. The walled gardens are high quality and have intrinsic historic interest. This tranquil setting has become a haven for visitors who will enjoy the experience of two newly restored walled gardens, Georgian pleasure grounds, garden visits, wooded walks and nature trails for children with seating and viewing points throughout the grounds.
HOW TO FIND US: From Carlow Town follow the R726. Take the first road to the left after the Brownshill Dolmen. Follow this road for approx. 5km to arrive at the Towers Gate Lodge of Duckett’s Grove. Duckett’s Grove is 1 km from this point on the right hand side of the road. OPENING TIMES: The Walled Gardens and pleasure grounds at Duckett's Grove are open to the public from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily. Admission: Free admission and parking
Tel +353 (0) 5991 30411 |
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