Places to visit: Country Estates

Airfield House

Airfield Estate

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, For Kids, Gardens, Tours

In 1893, a successful Dublin solicitor named Trevor Overend purchased an 18th century farmhouse in Dundrum, Co. Dublin. The property was eventually inherited by his two daughters, Letitia and Naomi Overend. They lived there all their lives and prior to their death they set up the Airfield Trust, so that the estate would be kept intact for educational and recreational purposes.

The Overend ladies were well known for their prize-winning Jersey herd, named after characters from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. They were regular prize winners at the RDS Spring Show. Their life and times can be appreciated via the Airfield House exhibition. The lasting effects of their fundraising and charity work for St John’s Ambulance brigade and Children’s Sunshine Home can be seen through an impressive collection of photographs, diaries and press clippings. They were also ladies who knew how to enjoy themselves, as evidenced by the memorabilia they gathered from their travels. Both sisters were also very interested in gardening.

The Airfield farm (20 acres), gardens, restaurant and heritage experience offer visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy and learn about food, farming, gardening, history and heritage in a natural and relaxed environment.

The farm at Airfield is a fine working example of environmentally sustainable agriculture in Ireland. Visitors are encouraged to explore and experience farm life up close. This is a working farm with a milking Jersey herd, as well as Jacob sheep, Oxford sandy black pigs, Saneen goats, Rhode Island red hens, chickens and donkeys.

The Jersey herd is milked once a day as part of Airfield’s commitment to sustainable farming. Visitors can watch the herd being milked, understand the pasteurisation process and taste the fresh, creamy milk used across the estate.

Throughout the year specialised events like lambing, calving and shearing highlight what is typically going on in farms around the country. Airfield is a working farm with a milking Jersey herd, as well as sheep, pigs, chickens and donkeys. The farm has 50 laying hens including Rhode Island Red Hybrids and fancy fowl such as Legbars and Arucanas.

The gardens in Airfield are just over six acres in size and composed of diverse spaces ranging from an ornamental walled garden, shade gardens and glasshouse spaces, to an extensive organic certified fruit, vegetable and edible flower garden. You can also visit a greenhouse garden, an orchard border, a sunken garden and a potting shed order.

The temperate climate of south Dublin accommodates a large variety of plants to be grown on site which provides year-round interest to any visitor. The gardens are managed organically which helps contribute to a vibrant biodiverse green space.

The display garage for vintage cars is a fine setting for Letitia’s 1927 Rolls Royce, Naomi’s Austin Tickford and Lily’s Peugeot Quadrilette.

Opening Hours:
General opening hours all year round are Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am – 5.30pm, however opening days and hours vary monthly.
Not all features of the estate are open during general opening hours, and some or all may be closed for private functions. Please check here for detailed opening hours.

When open, there are daily activities including Egg Collection (10am), Jersey Herd Milking (10:30am) and Heritage Tours (12 & 2pm).
Special evening events and workshops may also be available for booking.
The Farmers Market is open Fri & Sat, 9am – 2.30pm.

Contact & Pricing:
airfield.ie
hello@airfield.ie
Tel: 01 969 6666
Overend Ave, Dundrum, Dublin 14.
Adults €15; concessions

Áras an Uachtaráin

Áras an Uachtaráin

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical, Tours

Now the Residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin, started as a modest brick house for the Phoenix Park Chief Ranger in 1751. It was subsequently acquired as an “occasional residence” for the Lords Lieutenants and gradually evolved to a large mansion. After Ireland gained independence, it was occupied by three Governors General between 1922 and 1937, prior to the first president Dr Douglas Hyde taking up residence there.

19th century architects Francis Johnston, Jacob Owen and Decimus Burton, and more recently, Raymond McGrath, as well as stuccodores Michael Stapleton and Bartholomew Cramillion, contributed to its gradual expansion, gardens and interiors. The Irish architect James Hoban may have used the garden front portico of Áras an Uachtaráin as the model for the façade of the White House.

Opening Hours:
Guided tours take place almost every Saturday all year round.
Tickets are free of charge, issued on a first-come-first-served basis, from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre from 9.30am. Advanced or group booking is not possible. Visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Guided tours of the House are offered on Saturdays at the following times:
Jan – Dec: 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm and 3pm
Guided tours of the Gardens only run from June until October.
Closed 24-26 December.

*Contact the Visitor Centre first to confirm that tours are taking place, as access can be restricted at times due to official State engagements.
Visitors must bring photographic identification on the day of the visit.

Contact & Pricing:
president.ie
phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie
Tel: 01 677 0095
Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
Admission free

Ardgillan Castle

Ardgillan Castle

Castles, Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Tours

Ardgillan is a large 18th Century country manor house (1738) built in extensive grounds overlooking the Irish Sea. The demesne features a walled garden and a rose garden. Within the house, the ground floor rooms and the kitchens are open to visitors (guided tour only).

Ardgillan Park is unique among Dublin’s regional parks for the magnificent views it enjoys of the coastline. A panorama, taking in Rockabill Lighthouse, Colt Church, Shenick and Lambay Islands may be seen, including Sliabh Foy, the highest of the Cooley Mountains, and the Mourne Mountains can be seen sweeping down to the sea.

Ardgillan Castle is open all year round. Access to the castle is by guided tour only. Tours are available on demand. The team of tour guides is experienced, with a great knowledge and understanding of the castle and its family occupants, The Taylors.

The Ardgillan Castle tour is approximately one hour long. Many periods of social history are brought to life with the focus firmly on the family who once lived in the castle. Visitors get the chance to explore the castle and enjoy the same atmosphere that the Taylors experienced from 1738, when the castle was built right up to 1962, when it was eventually sold.

The park area is the property of Fingal County Council and was opened to the public as a regional park in 1985. What was an arable farm was transformed  into a public park. Five miles of footpaths were provided throughout the demesne, some by opening old avenues, while others were newly constructed. They now provide a system of varied and interesting woodland, walks and vantage points from which to enjoy breath-taking views of the sea, the coastline and surrounding countryside. A sign-posted cycle route through the park means that cyclists can share the miles of walking paths with pedestrians.

Opening Hours:
Ardgillan Castle is open all year round, but times vary by month.
Tours are currently self-guided only.
Please contact in advance for groups of over 10 people.
Admission to all the gardens is free.
For current opening times of the park, gardens and house, check here.

Contact & Pricing:
ardgillancastle.ie
eventardgillan@fingal.ie
Tel: 01 849 2212
Adults €5; concessions

Farmleigh House

Farmleigh House

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical, Tours

Farmleigh is an estate of 78 acres located in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Owned by the State, it provides accommodation for visiting dignitaries & guests of the nation, hosts high level Government meetings, and is also available to be enjoyed by the public.

Farmleigh remains a unique representation of its heyday, the Edwardian period, when wealthy industrialists had replaced landowners as the builders of large mansions in Ireland. Their tastes were eclectic, mixing a variety of architectural styles and decors.

Edward Cecil Guinness, first Earl of Iveagh, the great-grandson of Arthur Guinness, built Farmleigh around a smaller Georgian house in the 1880’s. Many of the artworks and furnishings he collected for Farmleigh remain in the house on loan from the Guinness family to the State. The Benjamin Iveagh collection of rare books, bindings and manuscripts is held  in the Library.

The extensive pleasure grounds are a wonderful collection of Victorian and Edwardian ornamental features with walled and sunken gardens, scenic lakeside walks and a range of plants that provide both visual and horticultural interest throughout the seasons. The Estate also boasts a working farm with a herd of Kerry Black cows.

Opening Hours:
The grounds and estate are open 7 days a week, from 10am – 6pm, last entry 5pm. Access to Farmleigh House is by guided tour, and includes selected rooms on the ground floor.
Guided tours are available on a first come, first serve basis from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, last entry is 4.30pm.

Please note that, as Farmleigh is a working Government building, the House may close at short notice.

Contact & Pricing:
farmleigh.ie
farmleighguides@opw.ie
Tel: 01 815 5914
Phoenix Park, Dublin 15.
Adults €8; concessions.
Free admission on the first Wednesday of each month.

Lambay_Castle_Approach

Irish Historic Houses Association

Castles, Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical

Ireland’s historic houses are a valuable cultural resource. These houses and their contents are part of the physical evidence that helps to define the cultural and historical relationship between Ireland and the rest of Europe. The umbrella organisation representing this resource is the Irish Historic Houses Association.

The preservation of this part of Ireland’s cultural heritage is of national importance and this has been recognised by successive governments, who have enacted legislation intended to safeguard historic houses, their parks and contents, for current and future generations and in the public interest.

Heritage properties that remain in private hands have a unique value, especially those that have been owned by the same family for several generations. Typically, they contain artefacts and archives that greatly enhance the cultural and historical significance of each country house in its locality, and indeed many historic houses encapsulate the history of their surrounding regions. Below you will find listed historic houses which are members of the IHHA within the counties of Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. Within each of these links, the opening times for each property may be ascertained by clicking on the property’s website link (below), or by clicking on the “Opening Times & Further Details” button.

www.ihh.ie/index.cfm

DUBLIN

Lissen Hall  www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Lissen%20Hall

Lambay Castle   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Lambay%20Castle

KILDARE

Burtown House  www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Burtown%20House

Coolcarrigan   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Coolcarrigan

Harristown   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Harristown

Leixlip Castle   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Leixlip%20Castle

Lodge Park     www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Lodge%20Park

Moone Abbey   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Moone%20Abbey

LOUTH

Barmeath Castle   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Barmeath%20Castle

Beaulieu  www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Beaulieu

Collon House  www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Collon%20House

Killineer House  www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Killineer%20House

Rokeby Hall     www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Rokeby%20Hall

MEATH

Hamwood   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Hamwood

WICKLOW

Altidore Castle   www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Altidore%20Castle

Killruddery House  www.ihh.ie/index.cfm/houses/house/name/Killruddery%20House%20

Malahide Castle

Castles, Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical

Malahide Castle is one of Ireland’s oldest castles dating back to the 12th Century. Set on 260 acres, the castle has been home to the Talbot family for over 800 years. The guided tour allows one to get a feel for the history of the house, and to admire the period furniture and an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings.

Malahide Castle was built by the Talbots, an English family holding the title Earls of Shrewsbury. Richard Talbot arrived in Ireland in 1174, and in 1185 he was granted the lands and harbour of Malahide by Henry II for his “war-like” services in the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland. With the exception of a short time during the Cromwellian period, the Talbot family resided in Malahide for the next eight centuries.

The Talbots are reputed to have been a diplomatic family, carefully manoeuvring between the authority of church and state. During the eight centuries between 1185 and the 1970s, their tenure at Malahide Castle was only broken for a brief interlude between 1649 and 1660 when their lands were seized by Cromwellian soldiers.

Although the Talbots had taken the Jacobite side, their land holdings were not confiscated after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Fourteen members of the Talbot family, who had breakfasted together on the morning of the battle in the Great Hall of Malahide Castle, died on the battlefield.

The Talbots left an extraordinary legacy in Malahide and beyond. Among the family members were noted statesmen, churchmen and scholars and one great member of the family, Sir John Talbot, was immortalized in Shakespeare’s play ‘Henry VI’. Thirty individual Talbots had their seat at Malahide, from the first Lord Richard Talbot to Lord Milo Talbot, the 7th Baron, who died in 1973.

In 1975, Rose Talbot sold the castle to the Irish State, partly to fund inheritance taxes. Many of the contents had been sold in advance, leading to considerable public controversy, but private and governmental parties were able to retrieve some. Rose died in Tasmania in 2009.

The ornamental gardens adjoining the castle cover an area of about 22 acres and were largely created by Lord Milo Talbot, an enthusiastic plant collector who brought specimens from around the world to create the gardens here. In all, there are in excess of 5000 different species and varieties of plants present.  

The extensive system of pedestrian paths throughout the estate are perfect for walking and exploring the picturesque tree-lined park.

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Last guided tours at 4.30pm from Apr to Oct, or 3.30pm Nov to Mar.
Closed 24 – 26 Dec.

Contact & Pricing:
malahidecastleandgardens.ie
reservations@malahidecastleandgardens.ie
Malahide, Co. Dublin
Tel: 061 711 222
Adults €14.50; concessions

Marlay Park Walled Gardens

Marlay Park Walled Gardens

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, For Kids, Gardens

Marlay Park Walled Gardens were restored in 2000 under the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme. The gardens were traditionally divided into three walled parts, two of which are now on view. Marlay Park in general is a fine but bland amenity; however, the walled gardens (which are somewhat hidden from view) are well worth a visit.

On entering through the head gardener’s house and tea rooms, the central position is taken by a Regency-style ornamental garden, featuring an extensive display of colourful period plants, ranging from herbaceous borders to shrub beds. The orangery, arbour and water fountain combine with the other features to create a distinctive atmosphere. The adjacent kitchen garden with its restored bothies is set out in a traditional early-nineteenth century manner and has a fine collection of regency fruit trees and vegetables.

Apart from the walled gardens, Marlay Park is an extensive 247-acre historic demesne containing many historic features. The Park hosts a range of events throughout the year. It contains lawns, fine old trees and a number of large ponds fed by the Little Dargle River. The amenity caters for various sporting activities, including football, soccer, tennis, cricket, orienteering and running. It also includes children’s play facilities. Once the property of the La Touche banking family, the late eighteenth century house has been restored for public use.

Opening Hours:
Opens at 9am every day.
Closing times vary month to month, check the website below for details.

Contact & Pricing:
dlrcoco.ie/parks-outdoors/parks/marlay-park
info@dlrcoco.ie
Tel: 086 605 6634
Marlay Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Admission free. Enter through the coffee shop, or via the gate at the right of the courtyard.

Newbridge House

Newbridge House and Farm

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical

Newbridge House is a fine unchanged Georgian house (1752) set in a 360 acre demesne. The house contains most of the original furniture. There is a fine Red Drawing Room, a Museum of Curiosities, and ornate plasterwork. Newbridge House remained in the hands of the Cobbe Family until 1985 when it was purchased by Dublin County Council.

Newbridge is noted for its unique collection of Irish furniture, the Cobbe Collection of Old Master portraits and landscapes as well as family pictures, all of which can be seen on the tour.

Situated in 365 acres of complete Georgian Parkland, Newbridge House was home to the Cobbe family for over 270 years. ​In 1717 Charles Cobbe (1686-1765) came to Ireland, the first member of the family to do so. Cobbe was born and educated at Winchester before joining the clergy. In Ireland, his ecclesiastical career was successful. He became Bishop of Kildare, then Dean of Christchurch and finally Archbishop of Dublin.

He commissioned James Gibbs, to design a plan for the rebuilding of Newbridge House. The old Stuart house on site was replaced by the handsome Summer Villa which stands today. Begun in 1742, the building lasted five years and was overseen by the Irish architect George Semple. The Archbishop’s second son, Thomas, extended and refurbished the house, leaving a significant mark on Newbridge.

In 1985 the family sold the premises and entered into a rare agreement with Dublin County Council whereby the family would leave its original furniture in situ, in order to retain the top floor as a holiday home, while the demesne would be cared for by the Council. This agreement is not known to exist anywhere else in the Republic of Ireland.

The Cabinet of Curiosities or Ark is the Cobbe family museum which dates back to the 1760’s. It was started by Thomas and Lady Betty who had a taste for the exotica, collecting shells and coral. The original display cases, which were relocated to the UK many years ago, are probably the earliest complete museum furniture to survive in Britain and Ireland. The display cases in Newbridge House are replicas of these originals. Ostrich eggs from 1756, fossils, Chinese exhibits, taxidermy and Captain Cook memorabilia are among the chattels on display in the museum and are all original to the period.

The Red Drawing Room houses a selection of paintings from the Cobbe Collection. Master paintings including Italian Portraits and Dutch landscapes. From this collection sprang two previously unidentified portraits, one of which has since been established as the most authentic portrait of Shakespeare taken from life. ​

Also on this site is an 18th Century working farm with a courtyard, extensive buildings, and pastures.

Opening Hours:
April to September:
Open daily at 9.30am, last entry at 5pm.
October  to March:
Closed on Mondays. Open Tues to Sun at 9.30am, last entry at 3.30pm.

Guided house tours nearly every hour; subject to change during special events.

Closures over the Christmas period subject to change.

Contact & Pricing
newbridgehouseandfarm.com
reservations@newbridgehouseandfarm.com
Tel: 01 843 6534
Newbridge House & Farm, Hearse Road, Donabate, Co. Dublin
Farm only – Adults €7.50, Farm & House – Adults €10; concessions

Rathfarnham Castle

Rathfarnham Castle

Castles, Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Historical, Museums

Dating back to the Elizabethan period, Rathfarnham Castle is a fine example of an Irish fortified house. Dating back to the Elizabethan period, the building houses the Berkeley Costume and Toy Collection of 18th and 19th Century toys, dolls and costumes.

The castle was built for Archbishop Adam Loftus, an ambitious Yorkshire clergyman, who came to Ireland as chaplain to the Lord Deputy and quickly rose to become Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and was closely involved in the establishment of Trinity College. The castle with its four flanker towers is an excellent example of the fortified house in Ireland. In the late 18th century, the house was remodelled on a splendid scale employing some of the finest architects of the day including Sir William Chambers and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. The collection includes family portraits by Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807), Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), and Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740-1808).

The Castle and Tearooms re-opened in October 2015 after major improvement works designed to significantly upgrade access to the principal floors of the Castle. In general, the rooms are fairly bare so the Castle is more an interesting look at a major restoration project in progress than a detailed finished product.

Opening Hours:
May – Sept: Open 7 days, 9.30am – 5.30pm; last admission 4.45pm.
Oct – Apr: Wed to Sun, 10.30am – 5pm; last admission 4.15pm.
Guided tours are available throughout the day, self-guided tours are also allowed.
Opening hours may be restricted over the Christmas period.

Contact & Pricing:
rathfarnhamcastle.ie
rathfarnhamcastle@opw.ie
Tel: 01 493 9462
€5 Adults; concessions. Free admission on the first Wednesday of every month.

Skerries Mills

Skerries Mills

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Historical

Skerries Mills is an award-winning restoration of a Great 5 Sail Windmill, a Thatched 4 Sail Windmill and a Water mill. All three mills are in working order, a rare survival of 17th, 18th and 19th Century industrial Ireland. The centre is built on a high site with fine coastal views. The Watermill Café and a Craft Shop are also open for visitors.

Guided tours are available daily and last approximately 50 minutes. Your guide shows you the history of milling and Skerries Mills. Try your hand at stone grinding flour, then see the water wheel in action turning the sieves, shakers, blowers and all inside the mill. Take a walk across the crop field and go up inside the four sail windmill  and then onto the five sail Great Windmill of Skerries which dominates the local skyline. There are views of the town as well as the islands off Skerries and the coastline as far as the Mourne Mountains. Later, enjoy refreshments in the Watermill Café.

Opening Hours:
Apr to Sept: 10am – 5.30pm, last tour 4.30pm
Oct to Mar: 10am – 4.30pm, last tour 3.30pm
Closed 1 Jan, 17 Mar, 24 – 27 Dec, 31 Dec

Contact & Pricing:
skerriesmills.ie
info@skerriesmills.ie
Tel: 01 849 5208
Skerries, County Dublin
Adults €10; concessions