Shankill Castle is a unique family home often described as a living museum. Shankill Castle was first built as a Butler tower-house near the ruins of a pre-reformation church. In 1708 it was rebuilt and set in a formal landscape, vista to the front and canal to the rear, by Peter Aylward.
In the 19th century it was enlarged and castellated, serpentine bays added to the canal and an unusualpolyhedral sundial given pride of place on a sunken lawn. The stable yard and castellated entrance to the demesne are attributed to Daniel Robertson. Nowadays visitors can take a guided tour of the castle and a walk around the gardens.
Visit in Spring for snowdrops, daffodils and tulips, Summer for the meadows, art exhibitions and sunshine walks, Autumn for the ScareFest, ghost tours and wand and quill making, Winter for drawing classes and winter workshops.
Shankill Castle is home and studio to artist Elizabeth Cope.
COVID 19
Please check for further updates on Covid 19 restrictions for Shankill Castle on their website www.shankillcastle.com or email info@shankillcastle.com or telephone 059 9726145 or check www.carlowgardentrail.com and the Carlow Tourism website.
Please continue to check the HSE website https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/ for further updates and continue to monitor our social media pages
Klaus Laitenberger covers how to grow your own organic vegetables, salads and fruit by choosing the right varieties, the best sowing dates and how to prevent pests and diseases as well as keeping weeds under control.
Enjoy the woodland walks with a spectacular carpet of snowdrops, hellebores and early Spring bulbs. Admission: Adults €5. Group tickets, concessions and family tickets available. Entrance via front gate in Paulstown village.
Aaron Bertelsen's gardening year starts on November 1st, with the closure of Great Dixter. Aaron discusses the important work undertaken during the winter months preparing the soil for the next growing season. His workshop also covers spring and summer crops and the practical side of vegetable gardening including stacking, watering and weeding.
Enjoy the spectacular early Spring bulbs and carpet of snowdrops at Shankill Castle, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny from 1st to 28th of February with the opportunity to avail of a castle tour delivered by a member of the Cope family.
Arthur Shackleton will give a talk on his passion and great gift of gardening. He will also offer advice and answer your questions on designing and […]
Charles’ talk explains the principles of a no dig approach, so that listeners can go home to apply the method, in whatever way suits their site and materials to hand. He shows how to clear weeds by mulching on top, without any soil disturbance and shows different composts and how to make your own. He explains how mulches of organic matter work to feed soil life, so that the billions of organisms can help plant roots find their food, air and moisture. Charles illustrates many different vegetables, show methods of planting and pest protection, and methods of propagation.
Enjoy the spectacular early Spring bulbs and carpet of snowdrops on February 10th & 11th at Shankill Castle. Castle tours also available by appointment. Adults €5, €10 castle tour and walk. Group, family ticket and concessions available.
