Heywood Gardens
Heywood Gardens
4.5
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4.5
77 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
21
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Bernie S
Belfast, UK785 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
We visited while travelling from Portlaoise to Clonakilty. The gardens are beautiful- particularly the walled circular garden with the pond. The car park is at the lower level with a pleasant walk of around 600 metres to the upper level where the garden is. On the way you pass various follies such as a sham castle and orangery. Toilets are available at the car park - there are very few seats but plenty of spaces for picnics although no drinks or refreshments available on the site. Entry is free.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waterfordian
Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland135 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Although our satnav didn't bring us to the main entrance, we enjoyed our visit. This is a real hidden gem in Laois. The sunken garden and the follies are worth the visit. We were disappointed that there wasn't an OPW guide available as we would like to have found out more information about the estate. But a local lady out for her walk was very helpful.
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana L
Navan, Ireland2,680 contributions
Aug 2020
Besides enjoying the beautiful (though small) gardens, you can stroll through the entire estate, and spend a day or a few hours there, having a picnic and relaxing. Free admission. Good place to take the kids.
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gav
Ireland338 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Nice spacious area for a walk if you're in the area, but it's really not worth travelling from far away to this. This nice garden area is not of a large size and a couple of areas we're closed off.
Toliets are only at the very start in the car park.
Toliets are only at the very start in the car park.
Written 10 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rubylass
cork204 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Unexpected hidden gem. We visited without knowing anything about it and we were totally blown away by the sunken garden. Such a shame that the house was burnt down, I believe it would have been a no1 tourist destination in Ireland if the house was still standing but then again the fact that the house is no longer standing makes this a very quiet hidden gem for all ages. Well worth visiting if in the area. No facilities but doesn’t take away from the beauty of Heywood Gardens
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cora
Kilkenny, Ireland70 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Stayed locally at glamping under the stars. Heywood was recommended as a local place to visit. It was absolutely gorgeous. The community school really takes away from it unfortunately. The Heywood Gardens are like something out of the Jane Austin era. Absolutely stunning.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith38Cork_Ireland
Cork, Ireland134 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
On pleasant summer's day, we walked through Heywood Gardens. It had been a long time since I had last visited but my husband and children had not been before.
My husband and I both commented that it reminded us of the gardens on Garinish island - Ilnacullin, located in Glengarriff Harbour. The similarity is not surprising because both are in the Italian style. Indeed some people refer to the gardens here as 'The Italian Gardens,'
These gardens were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and in fact, they are are the only example of Lutyens' work outside of Dublin. The beautiful gardens comprise formal gardens, lakes and woodland as well as some architectural features.
Other examples of Lutyens work include the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, the well-known Cenotaph in London and the Viceroy's house in Delhi.
There used to be an imposing house, sitting above this wonderful garden. It was built by Michael Frederick Trench in the 18th Century, with (it is said) advice from his buddy, the famous architect, James Gandon.
Other famous people visited here too including the Empress Elizabeth of Austria while she was in Ireland for the hunt during 1879 and 1880.
Through marriage, the estate passed into the Poe family but then was subsequently sold in the early 1940s to the Salesian Brothers.
Sadly a few years later, the historic building was destroyed by fire. The Salesians built a replacement building for their secondary school and there is still a school here - now a community school.
My husband and I both commented that it reminded us of the gardens on Garinish island - Ilnacullin, located in Glengarriff Harbour. The similarity is not surprising because both are in the Italian style. Indeed some people refer to the gardens here as 'The Italian Gardens,'
These gardens were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and in fact, they are are the only example of Lutyens' work outside of Dublin. The beautiful gardens comprise formal gardens, lakes and woodland as well as some architectural features.
Other examples of Lutyens work include the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, the well-known Cenotaph in London and the Viceroy's house in Delhi.
There used to be an imposing house, sitting above this wonderful garden. It was built by Michael Frederick Trench in the 18th Century, with (it is said) advice from his buddy, the famous architect, James Gandon.
Other famous people visited here too including the Empress Elizabeth of Austria while she was in Ireland for the hunt during 1879 and 1880.
Through marriage, the estate passed into the Poe family but then was subsequently sold in the early 1940s to the Salesian Brothers.
Sadly a few years later, the historic building was destroyed by fire. The Salesians built a replacement building for their secondary school and there is still a school here - now a community school.
Written 18 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tangled12a
Sydney, Australia37 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
we visited on a cold day in January. Despite the weather it was still a pleasure to explore with lots of interesting gardens writhing and lovely photographic spots. Plenty of parking, decent toilets. Those with limited mobility have the option of driving to the top of the incline and accessing the garden from the top. We chose to park at the bottom and meandered and explored the various routes taking you upwards. A hidden gem even a lot of locals are unfamiliar with. Would love to see it in the spring. Free. Travelled with teens and young children and adult who had a walking frame.
Written 27 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dain96
Portlaosie113 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Took friends there and was embarrassed that we bothered. The OPW has not kept faith here with the public the place felt very run down.
Written 7 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kfinno
Berlin, Germany9 contributions
Aug 2013
Well worth a visit if you are in the general area. Beautifully designed gardens by world renowned architect Edwin Luytens and one of only a few of his works to be seen in Ireland. Probably best seen in spring or summer when the flowers are at their best but any time is good. Bring a picnic. The OPW could do a lot more to make this beautiful place accessible such as some basic signage.
Written 23 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Its owned by the OPW with free admission and open all year round. Lovely Italian gardens...well worth a visit. There is ample parking but no Cafe
Written 15 March 2017
Yes you can bring your dogs.
Written 2 May 2016
twitch911
Arklow, Ireland
Is there convenient parking?
is there an entrance fee?
Is there a cafe onsite?
Written 10 June 2015
Its owned by the OPW with free admission and open all year round. Lovely Italian gardens...well worth a visit. There is ample parking but no Cafe
Written 15 March 2017
twitch911
Arklow, Ireland
Is there parking available? is there an entrance fee? is there a cafe onsite?
Written 10 June 2015
Its owned by the OPW with free admission and open all year round. Lovely Italian gardens...well worth a visit. There is ample parking but no Cafe
Written 15 March 2017
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