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Huntington Castle & Gardens

These gardens were mainly laid out in the 17th century by the Esmondes who built Huntington Castle in 1625. This includes the French limes on the Avenue, the parterre - or ornamental lawns - to the side of the house, fish ponds on either side of the centre walk through the wilderness and the majority of Yew trees which comprise the Yew Walk. There is also an ancient vine in the conservatory and a temple to the Goddess Isis in the basement of the castle. Larger plantings have resulted in Huntington possessing a number of great Irish trees, including varieties of hickory, a cut leaved oak, Siberian crab and buckeye chestnut. A lake at the bottom of the wilderness was built for ornamental purposes but next to it is one of the earliest water turbine houses in Ireland, providing Huntington with its own electricity as early as 1888. Both the lake and turbine house are to be restored in the near future. The River Derry – also being the boundary line between Counties Wexford and Carlow – flows along the bottom of the wilderness, providing a pleasant setting for woodland walks. Huntington Castle is on a list of buildings/gardens in the State which, having received determinations from the Office of Public Works/Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism / Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government that they are of significant horticultural, scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and which have also received determinations from the Revenue Commissioners. Access to the public should be checked directly with the property owner /manager at the contact details provided. The house will open on selected days throughout 2013. March 29- 31. Apr 1. May 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, June 1-30. July 1-31. Aug 1-31. Sept 1, 7-8, 14-15,21-22, 28-2. from 2pm-6pm. Oct 19-20, 25-31,from 4pm -9.30pm. Guided tours of castle available. To avoided disappointment please telephone for visiting arrangements, etc.,

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