Tullynally has been the home of the
Pakenhams' later Earls of Longford, for over 350 years. The
original 17th century fortified house was remodelled first as a
comfortable Georgian mansion, then as a huge rambling gothic revival
castle in the early 1800's,
by the 2nd Earl of Longford. It is still lived in
as the family home, now probably one of the largest in Ireland to survive in private hands. The
interiors, part
Georgian, part Gothic revival, have a fine collection of furniture and
pictures. Guided tours also take in the
splendid Victorian kitchens and laundries, complete with all
their equipment. (n.b. castle
tours by previous appointment only : see below.)
The gardens,
like the castle are on a magnificent scale, taking in nearly 12
hectares. Terraced lawns around the castle overlook superb 18th century
parkland. The adjoining woodland gardens and walled gardens
date largely from the early 19th century and encompass a grotto
of eroded limestone from nearby Lough Derravaragh and two ornamental
lakes. The present owners have added a Chinese garden, complete with
pagoda and a Tibetan garden of waterfalls and streams;
and a local sculptor has made fantastic woodcarvings in existing roots
and trees. The walled gardens have extensive flower borders and an
avenue of magnificent 200 year old Irish yews.
For
children, there
is also an Adventure Trail leading to the lower lake, and for
those who wish to take the gardens more slowly, there is an
assortment of delightful, ornamental summer houses and seats,
each offering a different view.
For more
information and photographs of either the Castle or the Gardens please
select one of the buttons below.
|
Location
|
Situated 1.5km just outside Castllepollard
on the Granard road
R395 (signposted) 20km from
Mullingar, 80km from Dublin via
M4 or N3 |
| Opening
times |
Open
May through till August, Thursday-Sunday and bank
holidays
13:00hrs - 18:00hrs 1pm-6pm
|
| Admission |
Gardens only : Adults €6.00,
Children €3 (under 6 free entry)
Castle and Gardens : €12
open to groups
(minimum charge €250 per group), by previous appointment only.
|
| Facilities |
Toilets, Parking, Partial
Wheelchair access.
Coffee shop, plants for sale and gallery in outer
castle courtyard.
|
Group lunches available
on request
Contact : Valerie
Pakenham
tullynallycastle@eircom.net : Tel : +353 44 9661159