Seamus O’Brien at Borris House

Thursday 2^nd August 2018

Seamus O’Brien at Borris House

Garden Tour

Borris demesne is a fine example of how a formal Baroque landscape has evolved over centuries into the impressive parkland setting visable today. Seamus O’Brien, manager of National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh in Co. Wicklow, will offer his unique insight into this mature estate with its many specimen trees, original Stew Pond and 18^th century Ice House.

 

Biography

Author and explorer, Seamus O’Brien is Ireland’s leading plantsman and manages the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh in Co. Wicklow.

He has travelled the world in search of plants and is a Corresponding Member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Woody Plant Committee.

He writes for several publications including Kew’s Curtis’s Botanical Magazine and is keenly interested in Irish garden history.

Borris House

The lace garden at Borris House illustrates the fascinating story of Borris Lace through its predominantly white colour palette, lace inspired flowers, sculptures and stylised planting. Stroll along the woodland paths and enjoy some of the beautiful specimen trees.

Borris House, the ancestral home of the McMorrough Kavanaghs, Kings of Leinster, is one of the few Irish estates that can trace its history back to the Royal families of ancient Ireland and the tour covers all aspects of the history of the house, from the original 15th century castle, through its many subsequent changes and alterations, right up to the present day.

There are so many things to admire on the tour from the beauty of the Stapleton ceilings to the unique Chapel of St. Moling, as well as a room by room description of the exceptional architecture, antique furniture, porcelain and paintings on display. On view for the first time ever is the new lace bedroom featuring Borris Lace as well as the Egyptian watercolours of Lady Harriet Kavanagh.

In the recently restored Granary visitors can watch a film on the history of the McMorrough Kavanaghs and Borris House, walk around the Lace Garden, visit the restored Victorian laundry, and enjoy the Woodland Walk along the Mountain Stream. The Store at Borris House sells local crafts, jewellery, ceramics, leather goods and textiles and is located at the front gate entrance – open part of May – September, Tuesday – Thursday 12 – 4 p.m.