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GOING ASHORE:
VISITING POWERSCOURT HOUSE AND GARDENS County Wicklow, Ireland page 2 by Richard H. Wagner |
Adjoining the house and gardens are gates with elaborate iron work including one with wrought iron from Bamberg Cathedral.
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Powerscourt gardens is not a single garden but rather a series of gardens covering some 47 acres.
The Italian Garden
The most impressive of the Powerscourt gardens is undoubtedly the Italian-style garden adjoining the south front of the house. In the first part of the 19th century, the 6th Viscount Powerscourt decided to re-model the gardens. His architect, Daniel Robertson was influenced by the formal style of gardens developed in Italy, Germany and France.
To transform, the existing landscape garden into a terraced, formal garden required that large amounts of earth be moved and the planting of numerous shrubs and flowers. But Robertson had gout and so it was difficult for him to move about the grounds on his own power. Therefore, he had his assistants move him around in a wheelbarrow. To aid in the work, he took a bottle of sherry with him. When the sherry was gone, work was over for the day. |
The 7th Viscount continued the work of transforming the gardens. Carrying forward Robertson's ideas, the Italian Garden was finished.
Immediately adjacent to the house is an 800 foot-long, paved terrace. From there, a giant staircase leads down to another terrace and down yet another set of stairs to the Triton Lake with its geyser-like fountain. Statuary and flower beds punctuate the scene. Looking further beyond the lake, you see forest and meadows rising to Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance - - a very impressive sight. |
The Other GardensHowever, the 7th Viscount and subsequent members of the Wingfield and Slazanger families did not stop with the Italian Garden. Off to the left of the Italian Garden is a lovely landscape garden called Tower Valley. Its centerpiece is the Pepperpot Tower, a medieval castle that supposedly was modeled on a three-inch tall pepperpot that the 8th Viscount had on his table. It is protected by cannons that supposedly date back to the Spanish Armada.
The Japanese Garden is another interesting section of the grounds. It is in a low lying area beyond Triton Lake and includes a stream that you can cross via a Japanese-style bridge as well as a number of stone grottoes. |
Off to the right of the Italian Garden are a walled-garden and a herbaceous border. The Dolpin Pool has a fountain and is surrounded by eucalyptus trees.
Connecting the various gardens are paths laid out to present the stroller with an unfolding series of imaginative views. Consequently, walking the gardens can be an enchanting experience. |
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Cruise destination - Ireland - Visiting Powerscourt House and Gardens - page 2