Ireland’s Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

One of the must-sees when visiting Ireland is the magnificent Powerscourt House and Gardens in Ireland’s Ancient East. Just south of Dublin in Wicklow, it’s an easy drive and there are many bus tours to the area. It only takes about an hour to drive to Powerscourt from central Dublin and it is very easy to find. Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow was named no. 3 in the World’s Top 10 Gardens by the National Geographic, second only to the Palace of Versailles and Kew Gardens in London. 

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Planning a dream trip to Ireland? Everything you need to know

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Dublin to Powerscourt Estate

The Powerscourt Ireland Estate and Gardens Wicklow are located 20 minutes south of Dublin, and there are a few ways to get there.

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Public Transport to Powerscourt

The closest bus to the Powerscourt Estate drops you at Enniskerry village these are buses 185 and 44 from the main bus station in Dublin. From here it is a 25-minute walk to the Estate or you can take a cab which will cost around €30 euros.

Powerscourt gardens and grounds

There are also some great tours to Powerscourt and Glendalough that leave from central Dublin if you don’t want to take public transport which can be a bit of a long journey. 

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Powerscourt from Dublin

Make your way to the M50 from your location in Dublin then take the N11 southbound (Wexford), take exit 7 for Bray south, Enniskerry, Powerscourt Gardens. Turn left at the roundabout, over the flyover and rejoin N11 heading north.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Take the first left for Enniskerry Village (Exit 6a). Continue along the road to Enniskerry Village. Take the road to the left of the clock tower, in the village square, and continue up a steep hill for 600m. The Powerscourt entrance is on the right-hand side opposite the church entrance.

Day Tours to the Powerscourt Estate and Gardens

Small-Group Wicklow, Powerscourt, and Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin

On a County Wicklow day trip from Dublin, visit the Powerscourt Gardens and explore the Wicklow Mountains, National Park. Accompanied by a guide who provides informative commentary during the day, enjoy a scenic drive, stop in the Victorian village of Enniskerry, pass by the Guinness Estate and visit Glendalough, where you have time to walk around. Explore Powerscourt Gardens at your leisure Stop in Enniskerry, where movies such as ‘Leap Year’ have been filmed Drive through the Wicklow Mountains National Park Enjoy free time to walk around Glendalough

Read more about Small-Group Wicklow, Powerscourt, and Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin

Who owns Powerscourt estate now?

Powerscourt is currently owned by the Slazenger family, who still own it to this day.

The house was destroyed by fire on 4 November 1974 and was subsequently renovated in 1996. Only two rooms are open to the public as they once appeared while Powerscourt had residents, while the rest of the ground floor and first floor are now shops and the Avoca Store and Cafe.

Powerscourt estate history

Located in County Wicklow and set within some of the most stunning views in the east of Ireland and a backdrop of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Powerscourt was originally a 13th-century castle whose original owner was a de la Poer (anglicized as Power).

In 1603, King James 1st granted Powerscourt to one of his generals, Sir Richard Wingfield, after he successfully squashed a rebellion of local Irish chiefs in Wicklow.

The 1st Viscount Powerscourt set about transforming the medieval castle at Powerscourt into a grand mansion. The new mansion was to be Palladian in style and designed around the medieval castle.

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Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

In 1974, a major refurbishment of the house was completed in preparation for it joining the gardens as a visitor attraction but unfortunately, a fire broke out and by the morning, the main part of the house was a roofless shell.

No one was injured, but all of the principal reception rooms and bedrooms were destroyed. In 1996, the house was re-roofed and was opened to the public.

Powerscourt

Powerscourt Estate gardens

The Gardens at Powerscourt are the great attraction of the place. With stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain, they stretch over 47 acres and offer a breathtaking blend of formal gardens, statuary, fountains, lakes, Japanese gardens, a Pet Cemetery, the Pepperpot Tower, and sweeping terraces, secret hollows and rambling walks.

Powerscourt Japanese gardens

The Pepperpot Tower is designed after Lord Powerscourt’s favourite pepperpot and the Pet Cemetery is the largest in Ireland. The Walled Italian Gardens were designed in the 1840s and took over 12 years to build. 

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

The pebble mosaic stairs and terraces are astounding. Don’t miss the Bamberg Gate which was brought from Germany in the walled gardens and don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers if you are there in spring or summer.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate
Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Powerscourt Gardens Pet Cemetery

A unique and fascinating part of the Gardens is the Pet Cemetery which is the resting place of the much-loved pets of the Wingfield and Slazenger families. It’s situated in a quiet part of the gardens where you can enjoy the striking colours of Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Roses in May and June. The cemetery is believed to be the largest pet cemetery in any private Irish garden.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Powerscourt Waterfall Price

It costs an extra €7.50 but don’t forget to go and visit Powerscourt Waterfall it is Ireland’s tallest waterfall at 121m (398ft.) and is 6km from the Main Estate. It is set in one of Ireland’s most beautiful parklands at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. These stunning falls were used in the History Channel’s TV epic drama The Vikings.

The Waterfall is around 6km from the Powerscourt Estate and it is probably best to drive there if you have a rental car. The roads are quite narrow and once you reach the sign to the Waterfall you will have to pay the extra ticket fee from this point you will drive an additional 1.3 kilometres to the parking lot.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Powerscourt Avoca

The house itself is home to the Avoca Shop and the Avoca Terrace Cafe, which serves up a fabulous lunch or just a simple scone with a cream tea. The Avoca shops are known for their gorgeous handwoven blankets and beautiful weavings.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

The company also designs a host of items that can be purchased and the stores were voted one of the best retail experiences outside of London. Don’t miss the Avoca FoodHall where you can buy some gourmet meals to take with you or just indulge your foodie fantasies with some freshly baked bread, scones and cakes to take home.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate
Powerscourt Avoca Scones

You can pick up some absolutely heavenly lambswool throws from Avoca that will keep you snug and warm for years to come. My favourites are a beautiful pink toned one and the purple is gorgeous. 

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Opening Times of the Powerscourt Estate and Powerscourt Gardens

  • Daily: 9.30am – 5.30pm (Last entry 5pm)
    • Gardens close at dusk in Winter (The last entry during winter is 30 minutes before dusk)
    • The Gardens are open year-round and only close on December 25th & 26th

Ballroom & Garden Rooms

  • Sundays 9:30 am – 1:30 pm – All Year
    • Mondays 9:30 am – 1:30 pm – May to September

Avoca Terrace Café

  • Daily: 9.30am – 5.00pm

Gardens Entrance Fees: 1st November – 28th February

Gardens Entrance Fees: 1st Mar – 31st Oct 2023

Adult: €12.50 plus a ticket to the Waterfall is another €7.50

How long do you need to visit Powerscourt Estate?

You will need a minimum of 90 minutes to visit the Powerscourt Estate and Gardens. But to be honest this is such a vast and extensive estate and if you love gardens you could easily spend the whole day here.

Powerscourt Whiskey Distillery

A newly opened Whiskey Distillery at Powerscourt is now hosting Whiskey tastings and Whiskey Tours if you fancy a little of the amber nectar.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Weddings at Powerscourt Estate

Yes, you can get married at Powerscourt and easily arrange your civil ceremony here with a grand feast afterwards and photos you will be blessed with for years.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate
©Michelle Vinny – Powerscourt Estate

Golf at Powerscourt Estate

With Two Championship golf courses set in stunning surroundings at the world-renowned Powerscourt Estate, Powerscourt Golf Club is an immensely popular venue. The 36-hole championship layout ensures availability 7 days a week for both members and visitors, add to that friendly staff, outstanding facilities and excellent dining, and it’s not hard to see why so many flock to the Estate.

Powerscourt Hotel and Spa

Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa an Autograph Collection hotel is Ireland’s foremost luxury 5* destination set amidst the scenic & historic Powerscourt Estate, Co. Wicklow a mere 30-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Dublin city centre life.

Offering Palladian-style architecture with 198 generously sized bedrooms, and luxurious amenities with the majority of rooms enjoying a clear vista of one of Ireland’s most celebrated valleys with the Sugar Loaf Mountain taking centre stage; making the guest stay experience incredibly special.

Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

As you can see Powerscourt Estate is one you don’t want to miss in Ireland. You can enjoy the stunning gardens, have a lovely lunch in the Avoca cafe and all this can be enjoyed in any season.

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Ireland's Magnificent Powerscourt Estate

Author

  • Faith was born in Ireland raised in Canada and has lived in over 10 countries in Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales, along with Mexico, Antigua, the US and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

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