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. Its precincts have been the subject of at least two international film sets and the site is a continuous mecca for paranormal groups. The revival of two old walled gardens has been completed by Carlow County Council, the old paths revealed and the beds and borders reinstated. Stylistically the new planting schemes echo the past yet reflect changing fashions, utilising plants and planting patterns that may have evolved over time. Open daily, daylight hours.
Facilities
Large car and coach park, toilets, wheelchair access, guide dogs only.
How to get there
From Dublin/Waterford take exit 4 on M9 motorway. Follow signs for Castledermot then take the R418 Castledermo – 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
Opening Times
Gardens and ruined mansion daily, daylight.
Admission: Free