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Duckett's Grove

139 Reviews
#2 of 23 things to do in Carlow
Historic Sites, Sights & Landmarks
Duckett's Grove House Duckett's Grove House Duckett's Grove House Near Carlow Town, Carlow, Ireland
+353 59 913 0411
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Review Highlights
“Worth a Visit if in the Area”

My second time stopping at Duckett's Grove. A great mansion in ruins, but you can almost picture... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago
AisleSeatPlease
,
Boston, MA
“Spooky - must see!”

Total creep factor as you’re arriving. We arrived later in the day so the sun setting set the... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago
casey s
via mobile
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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 (4,856 hectares) estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove form a romantic profile making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in the country.The first phase of the revival of two old walled gardens has now been completed by Carlow County Council, the old paths revealed and the beds and borders reinstated. Stylistically the new planting schemes echo the past yet reflect changing fashions, utilising plants and planting patterns that may have evolved over time.The Upper Walled Garden, hedged with boxwood, is planted with historical varieties of shrub roses, a collection of Chinese and Japanese peonies, a great variety of hardy and tender perennials and choice flowering shrubs.The Lower Walled Garden, once the site of the old orchard, contains a selection of fruits, including figs and historical varieties of Irish apples amongst others. The borders also contain a variety of shrubs and perennials all echoing the past history of the gardens and people associated with Duckett’s Grove. Restored paths and the repaired sunken stone bridge plus plantings of oak, lime, hazel, spindle and laurel rekindle the spirit of the Georgian Pleasure Grounds.

About Duckett's Grove

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 (4,856 hectares) estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove form a romantic profile making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in the country.The first phase of the revival of two old walled gardens has now been completed by Carlow County Council, the old paths revealed and the beds and borders reinstated. Stylistically the new planting schemes echo the past yet reflect changing fashions, utilising plants and planting patterns that may have evolved over time.The Upper Walled Garden, hedged with boxwood, is planted with historical varieties of shrub roses, a collection of Chinese and Japanese peonies, a great variety of hardy and tender perennials and choice flowering shrubs.The Lower Walled Garden, once the site of the old orchard, contains a selection of fruits, including figs and historical varieties of Irish apples amongst others. The borders also contain a variety of shrubs and perennials all echoing the past history of the gardens and people associated with Duckett’s Grove. Restored paths and the repaired sunken stone bridge plus plantings of oak, lime, hazel, spindle and laurel rekindle the spirit of the Georgian Pleasure Grounds.
4.5
139 reviews
  • Excellent51%
  • Very good34%
  • Average10%
  • Poor4%
  • Terrible1%
Travellers talk about
“walled garden” (9 reviews)
“craft shops” (8 reviews)
“afternoon tea” (7 reviews)
LOCATION
Duckett's Grove House Duckett's Grove House Duckett's Grove House Near Carlow Town, Carlow, Ireland
CONTACT
Website
+353 59 913 0411
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Reviews (139)
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1 - 10 of 131 reviews

Reviewed 2 days ago
Worth a Visit if in the Area

My second time stopping at Duckett's Grove. A great mansion in ruins, but you can almost picture the grand lifestyle that must have existed there at some time. The place has been a bit commercialized since my last visit, with a cafe and gift shop...More

Thank AisleSeatPlease
Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile
Spooky - must see!

Total creep factor as you’re arriving. We arrived later in the day so the sun setting set the ambiance. This is self guided all the way. The grounds are large and allows for many pictures. You can read about the Duckett’s online if you’re not...More

Thank casey s
Reviewed 26 September 2017 via mobile
Cool ruins

Stopped in midweek, nobody else here. The gardens are nice to walk around and relax. Old castle is cool. To bad people feel the need to litter.

Thank TeG85
Reviewed 8 September 2017
wrong day to visit

took a trip here, driving through gate house and up the road you get a great view of the ruins. unfortunately the day we went the café, craft shops were closed , the walled gardens were open so we walked around them and the ruins....More

Thank sambuca46
Reviewed 6 September 2017 via mobile
Nice place

It's a nice place to stop off. You can walk around the grounds, there's a nice walled garden. You can't really access the old ruins of the main house but they're interesting to see. The coffee shop is a nice place to relax (although there...More

Thank Jane D
Reviewed 28 August 2017
Great place to visit - old ruins

I've brought a couple of friends down here to Ducketts Grove it is a beautiful ruin. My only suggestion is it would be nice to have a small bit of history about it and how these people lived. The main gates are amazing as well...More

Thank Anne-Marie B
Reviewed 11 August 2017 via mobile
Dolman Carlow

This is such a peaceful place to visit and walk around especially on a nice warm spring day, it is the largest dolman in Ireland & the kids love it. They especially like trying to climb to the top but would need to be supervised....More

Thank Endak-Carlow
Reviewed 2 August 2017 via mobile
A less structured old castle site

The simplicity of this sight is what makes it great. An old castle out in the middle of a field, away from everything else. There were no info signs or tour guides. It's just a place to go and look around, maybe have a picnic,...More

Thank Michael H
Reviewed 28 July 2017 via mobile
Hidden Gem

Ducketts Grove is a beautiful location. I went with some friends one Saturday and the place was buzzing with a cheerful atmosphere. I had been there the previous Friday to see what it would be like for our visit on Saturday and it was quiet,...More

Thank Dreamer1992
Reviewed 26 July 2017 via mobile
Castle

If you like old historic castles this is the place for you. You can walk around the grounds & take a picnic. You can walk within the castle too. There is a candle shop which is gorgeous and a lovely coffee shop. The gardens are...More

Thank Lisa A
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Questions & Answers
Alan I
14 May 2017|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from eorourke | Property representative |
R93RF80 If you require any further information to plan your visit to Duckett's Grove visit the carlow garden trail website.
0
Votes
JJY1964
27 April 2017|
AnswerShow all 7 answers
Response from eorourke | Property representative |
No you don't need to purchase a ticket as admission is free. Hope you enjoy your visit.
1
Vote
deise0904
20 July 2016|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from Mause11 | Reviewed this property |
From Carlow take R726 (Hacketstown Road) for 10 km to Killerig Cross Roads. Turn left at this junction onto the R418 for 2.5 km, turn left again at the junction.
0
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