The Castle
Photograph courtesy of The Windsockers
Although referred to as a Castle, the residence at Ardgillan is a large country-style house with castellated embellishments. Originally named "Prospect", the central section was built in 1738 by Robert Taylor, with the west and east wings added in the late 1700's.
Initially the site was heavily wooded, the name Ardgillan being derived from the Irish "Ard Choill" meaning High Wood. It was cleared by out-of-service soldiers and itinerant workers in return for one penny a day, sleeping accommodation and one meal.
The house consists of two storey’s over a basement which extends out under the lawns on the southern side of the building. When occupied, the ground and first floors were the living accommodation while the west and east wings were servant’s quarters and estate offices. The basement was the service floor, the kitchen and stores. The castle has now been restored and the ground floor rooms and kitchens are open to visitors for guided tours. Tea-rooms are located off the main reception area and serving light snacks are open in conjunction with the Castle opening times. Upstairs, the former bedrooms are used for classes and exhibitions including a permanent and unique exhibition of the "Down Survey" color maps and text. Rooms are also available form small group meetings and workshops.
Ardgillan Today
Ardgillan was opened to the public as a Regional Park in June 1985. Preliminary works were carried out prior to the opening in order to transform what had been an arable farm, into a public park. Five miles of footpaths were provided throughout the demesne, some by opening old avenues, while others were newly constructed. They now provide a system of varied and interesting woodland walks, and vantage points from which to enjoy views of the sea and coastline.
The Gardens
The gardens are in two main parts, the formal garden to the west of the house and the walled garden to the north west. In 1983 work began on the replanting of the formal garden using the layout of the Ordnance Survey map of 1865. A wide collection of roses have been planted, from species and old varieties around the perimeter, climbing roses on the pergola and 'Hybrid Ts' and 'Floribundas' in the centre beds.
The final stage of the development of the Rose garden was the rebuilding of the Victoria conservatory, constructed by the Scottish firm 'McKenzie an Moncur' in the 1880's for the Jameson of 'Seamount', Malahide. When fully completed this will incorporate a Museum of Garden History with access from the Walled Garden. This very fine glasshouse was donated to the Parks Department by Mr & Mrs. Tracey, the present owners of 'Seamount'.
The walled garden was originally a Victorian styled kitchen garden, used to supply the fruit, vegetables and cut flower requirements of Ardgillan House. It is 2 acres in size, and subdivided into five separate compartments, each having a different theme; a Herb garden, using herbs suitable to culinary, medicinal, dyeing and pot-pourii, as well as a number of plants specifically for bees and butterflies; a vegetable pottager, demonstrating the variety of vegetables that can be grown in a small area and yet look attractive.
The 'Irish Garden' is constantly increasing its collection of plants of Irish origin, whether native species or varieties, or plants named after Irish collectors. This section also includes a most unusual free-standing 'Fruit Wall' with twenty alcoves used for growing the more tender fruit such as peaches, nectarines, pears etc. Another section includes a 'Four Seasons' garden showing the variety of plants that either flower, fruit or have ornamental bark in a particular season. The final section will demonstrate the wide range of semi-tender plants that can survive outdoors for many years as well as a range of fruit plants of Irish origin.
A coffee shop is open in the former Head Steward's house adjoining the Castle. The opening hours are displayed on the notice board.
Guided tours of the Gardens are available during the months of June / July / August at 3.30pm on Thursday afternoons or by special arrangement for groups.
Opening Hours of Castle
July & August 11.00am - 6.00pm
April to 30th September 11.00am - 6.00pm
October to 31st March: 11.00am - 4.30pm
23rd December to January 1st inclusive Closed
There is CCTV in operation around the estate so after hours visits are NOT advised.
An International Cache
An International Cache Exchange is where two people from two different countries agree to exchange caches. Then, you maintain the cache in your country & the other person maintains the cache in their country. When supplies get low, you replenish your cache in the other country & your counterpart replenishes the cache in your country.
When you visit this cache, please have trade items that represent the region you are from or Ireland. The reason this is asked is because the trade items will go to the sister cache in Qatar. [GC1JRTZ] Link Any money placed in this cache will also go to the Cache in Qatar.
Cache Maintenance
The Windsockers will be maintaining this cache for cincol
