Powerscourt lies south of Dublin, in the Wicklow hills. The house was gutted by a fire in 1974, but the gardens are the real highlight. Viewed from the Triton Lake, the house is still used today for weddings and special events. You can tour the house, but all you will see is a video of the history of the house, plus the open areas used for events. The house was built in the 1730s by Richard Wingfield, the first Viscount Powerscourt. The building also houses various shops and a tea room that comes highly recommended. 

The walk around the gardens will take an hour or so, but it is not a very taxing walk as it is relatively flat with a few gradual slopes. There is a Japanese garden, Italian garden, walled gardens, areas full of huge rhododendrons, as well as the Wingfield family’s pet cemetary.

As we were first here in May with Verna’s folks, the rhododendrons and azaleas were in full bloom. Here Mumsy is in the Japanese garden enjoying the colors and aromas.

Powerscourt sits at the base of the Sugarloaf mountain. the view from the house is absolutely breathtaking as you look over the expansive gardens toward Sugarloaf. Lucky for us, the weather cleared enough for us to get a sense of this beautiful view. Gene, Mom, and Jim pause to get their picture taken on the terrace, just outside the tea room.

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