Travelmania Ireland - Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, County Dublin

Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, Co. Dublin

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Description

Ardgillan Castle is a marvelous country house in quaint town of Balbriggan in the County Dublin, sited in the estate of Ardgillan Demesne. The enchanting Ardgillan Castle & Demesne are snuggled overlooking the pictorial town of Skerries and the beautiful coast, the castle being replete with crenellated adornments. The central portion being built in 1738 by Reverend Robert Taylor, the Ardgillan Castle was owned by the renowned Taylor family till 1962 after which both the Ardgillan Castle & Demesne was taken over by Westphalia’s Heinrich Potts.

Ardgillan Castle & Demesne was purchased by the Fingal County Council in 1982 and at present it is kept open for public viewing. A female specter was thought to appear on the bridge called The Lady’s Stairs, which existed along the close railway track at the limits of the estate garden. The estate of Demesne is also popular for being host to numerous open concerts during the summer months. The pop artists those who have performed are Meat Loaf, Status Quo, Moby and REM. Ardgillan Castle also features a famous 17th century exhibition called “Down Survey of Ireland” permanently.

The demesne is comprised of the historic townlands of Baltray, Ardgillan, and Kilmainham. The district was initially managed by the family of Gaelic O’Casey and after that, by the famous Earl of Tyrconnell. But the century from the 1600 to the 1700, witnessed important modifications in the system of owning lands in Ireland because of the reorganization and exclusion of land in the post Cromwellian (1640s) and Williamite (1680) war period. According to the records of “Down Survey of Ireland”, the owner of the demesne was Crumlin’s Robert Usher, a wine trader and Reverend Robert Taylor acquired demesne by 1737. Robert Taylor was the descendant of the famous Headfort Taylors. Ardgillan Castle is known as a castle but the historic building at the estate is actually a remarkable country house. Initially called “Prospect”, the central part of the building was constructed by Robert Taylor in 1938 and the east and west wings were added to the building during the later years of the 1700s. Ardgillan derived its name from “Ard Choill”, which means High Wood in Irish as the area was originally greatly wooded. The area was cleared by ex-army men and traveling workers against the charge of one penny, sleeping place and one meal on a daily basis.

Ardgillan Castle is comprised of two storeys and a basement extending out beneath the lawns on the southern part of the building. In 1985 June Ardgillan Castle & Demesne was opened as a Regional Park for the public. The arable farm was converted to a beautiful public park and five miles of walkways were built across the demesne, some of which comprised previously constructed avenues and some were newly built. Ardgillan Castle & Demesne at present is home to a row of charming woodland walks and view points from where visitors can enjoy outstanding views of the coastline and the sea.

More about Irish Castles you will find HERE.

Open

Castle:
•    1 April - 30 September,
Tues - Sun and Public Holidays 11.00-18.00
•    July and August open daily
•    1 October - 31 March, Tues - Sun and Public Holidays 11.00-16.30
•    Closed: 23 Dec - 1 Jan inclusive.

Park and Garden:
open all year
•    10.00-18.00 Summer
•    10.00-16:30 Winter

June, July and August, conducted tours of the Gardens and Conservatory each Thursday at 15.00, or by arrangement

Admission

Gardens:
Free, Guided Tour of Gardens €5 pps

Castle Guided Tour:
•    Adults €6.50
•    Students/OAPs €5
•    Family Ticket €13
•    Group Rate €5
Downs Survey Map exhibition: €5