Duckett’s Grove, the 18th, 19th and early 20th century home of the Duckett family, was formerly at the centre of a 20,000 acre (8,093 hectares) estate that has dominated the Carlow landscape for over 300 years. Even in ruin, the surviving towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds form a romantic profile making it one of the most photogenic historic buildings in the country and a castle in Ireland to visit.
This part Cobden designed building is structurally intact and accessible to the public. Two Georgian kitchen gardens form part of the complex where the old paths have been revealed and the beds and borders reinstated. Its precincts have been the subject of at least two international film sets and the site is a continuous mecca for paranormal groups. Stylistically the new planting schemes echo the past yet reflect changing fashions, utilising plants and planting patterns that may have evolved over time.
There is also a playground located within the pleasure grounds of Duckett’s Grove which is a great new addition for all the family to enjoy. Universally accessible and finished in wood this rustic and aesthetically pleasing playground has been completed taking its natural surroundings into consideration. The playground features slides, poles, an obstacle course and lots more to enjoy. This project by Carlow County Council was funded under the Local Authorities Play and Recreation grant which encompass a wide range of initiatives to deliver diverse benefits to children.
This project forms part of the Ireland’s Ancient East tourism trail.
Opening Times: Gardens and ruined mansion daylight hours.
Admission: Free
Facilities: Large car and coach park, toilets, wheelchair access, playground, gift shop,
The New Lazy River Café@ Ducketts Grove:
Opening Times: 10 am to 5 pm daily . 10am to 4pm for the food menu and 4-5 pm tea/coffee/cakes available.
Group bookings available by prior arrangement.
T: 059-9163972 E: thelazyrivercafe@hotmail.com W: www.thelazyrivercafe.com
How to get there: From Dublin/Waterford take exit 4 on M9 motorway. Follow signs for Castledermot then take the R418 Castledermot – Tullow road for 6km and turn right at the signed junction. From Carlow take the R726 Hacketstown Road for 10 km to Killerig Cross Roads. Turn left at this junction onto the R418 for 2.5 km, turn left again at the signed junction.
GPS: 52.858748, –6.812787