Powerscourt Gardens

Half a mile south of the village of Enniskerry is the entrance to the demesne of Powerscourt, with gardens and a landscaped park which rank among the most beautiful in Ireland. Tinnehinch Bridge, spanning the Dargle, is a celebrated beauty spot. Powerscourt House itself, an imposing granite mansion (by Richard Cassels, 1731) approached by a mile-long avenue, was gutted by fire in 1974. From the house, which stands on high ground, the gardens extend down the slope, with terraces, statuary, tessellated pavements, ornamental lake and fine wrought iron work.

In the grounds are plantations of exotic trees, masses of rhododendrons and other flowering shrubs, Italian and Japanese gardens and a deer park. From various viewpoints there are magnificent prospects of the surrounding hills - Great Sugar Loaf, 1,628ft/496m; Kippure, 2.430ft/740m.