Powerscourt House and Gardens is one of the most beautiful estates in Ireland — a magnificent 18th-century Palladian mansion set within 47 acres of meticulously designed gardens in the Wicklow Mountains, ranked among the top three gardens in the world by National Geographic and voted one of the top ten houses worldwide by Lonely Planet. Located just 20 kilometres south of Dublin in the aptly nicknamed “Garden of Ireland” (County Wicklow), Powerscourt’s Italianate terraces, Japanese gardens, walled gardens, and the breathtaking view to the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain create one of the finest landscape compositions in the British Isles.

Quick Facts: Powerscourt Gardens

• Best time to visit: Year-round; May–June for the rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom on the Italianate terraces; autumn for spectacular colours in the surrounding Wicklow woodland; August for the annual Powerscourt Garden Festival
• How to get there: ~30 minutes from Dublin by car (M50/N11 to Enniskerry); ~1 hour by bus (Dublin Bus 44 or private services); the estate is in the village of Enniskerry
• Entry fee: ~€13–14 (adult) gardens only; the house is partially open (the ground floor houses the Avoca Terrace Café and a design shop — the upper floors were destroyed by fire in 1974 and remain unrestored)
• Combine with: The Powerscourt Waterfall (Ireland’s highest waterfall at 121m, on the same estate but a separate entrance), Glendalough monastic site, and the Sally Gap scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains

At the beginning of the 18th century on the grounds of Wingfield’s from Powerscourt the large residence and gardens were built, which are considered the most beautiful in Ireland. However here you will not feel like in Ireland. The gardens were designed in the Italian and partially Japanese-style. It has carefully-cut grass and colorful flowers that evoke the atmosphere more like of the southern Europe.

Powerscourt Gardens is dominated by a large lake with a fountain and lots of water lilies. There is even a cemetery of the favorite animals of local family. From here you have a great view of the impressive mountain Great Sugar Loaf.

Powerscourt House and Gardens are located approx. 20km from Dublin city centre.

Opening hours and fees:

Gardens
Daily: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Gardens close at dusk in Winter
Closed December 25th & 26th

Ballroom & Garden Rooms
Sundays 9:30am – 1:30pm All Year
Mondays 9:30am – 1:30pm May to September

Entrance Fees
Adults €6.00, Student/OAP €5.50
Child (U16) €3.50, Child (U5) Free

Waterfall
Opening Times
Jan/Feb/Nov/Dec 10.30am – 4.00pm
Mar/Apr/Sept/Oct 10.30am – 5.30pm
May/Jun/July/Aug 9.30am – 7.00pm
Closed 2 weeks prior to Christmas

Entrance Fees
Adults €5.00, Student/OAP €4.50
Child (U16) €3.50, Children (U2) Free

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Have you strolled Powerscourt’s Italian gardens or discovered Wicklow’s Garden of Ireland? Share your Irish garden experiences in the comments! 🌿

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