Powerscourt

Meeting Point

Your hotel in central Dublin is the starting point, bar or restaurant is the ending point

Overviews

One of the best day trips from Dublin, Powerscourt House and Gardens has history, sculpture, Italian and Japanese gardens, exclusive food and clothes shopping and majestic views of County Wicklow.

Only 45 mins from Dublin in my private car you have two hours on site to stroll, relax and explore one of the most beautiful places in Ireland.

The Powerscourt Estate is located in the picturesque village of Enniskerry, barely one hour’s drive outside of the capital.

The area’s rich history dates back to the Norman invasion when a knight named La Poer built the first castle here. This strategic stone castle, known as a tower house, controlled the landscape and the Glencullen River. Over time, the La Poer family assimilated into Irish culture and became the Powers, giving rise to the name “Powerscourt.”

In the 1600s, the Powers family sold the estate to the Wingfield family.
Richard Wingfield, the first Viscount Powerscourt, commissioned renowned German architect Richard Cassels to transform the estate into a grand mansion. Cassels is also famous for designing iconic Dublin landmarks such as the Printing House at Trinity College, the Rotunda Hospital, and Leinster House.

The Powerscourt mansion took Cassels ten years to complete, from 1731 to 1741.
It was considered the finest mansion in Ireland at the time so that when King George IV visited Ireland in 1821, he chose to stay at Powerscourt, where he was hosted by the Viscount.

In the 1840s, during Ireland’s devastating Potato Famine, the 8th Viscount Powerscourt, Mervyn Wingfield, toured Europe. Inspired by Italy’s grand palaces and piazzas, he commissioned English sculptors to create replicas of classical statues, including the Laocoön and Triton Fountain.

He also developed the Japanese Gardens and a Pet Cemetery on the estate, a project that took 20 years to complete. The estate remained in the Wingfield family until the 1960s, when it was sold to the Slazenger family, renowned for manufacturing sports equipment. Interestingly, Mervyn Wingfield sold the property to Wendy Slazenger, whom he later married. So he still owns the house!

A fire in 1974 led to extensive renovations, transforming Powerscourt House into a retail and visitor center. It has since become a popular filming location for movies, including the adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Nearby Powerscourt Waterfall, once part of the estate, is now a separate attraction. Standing at 121 meters (450 feet), it is Ireland’s highest waterfall. The iconic fight scene between King Arthur and Sir Lancelot from the movie Excalibur was filmed here.

This Dublin half day tour would suit anyone who loves landscapes, architecture, sculpture, Italian or Japanese Gardens, wine with majestic views or those who want to escape the busy city for a few fours.

To book this half day tour, please click a date on the calendar below. If you would like to book this tour for a date and time you don’t see below please contact me.

Photos Permitted

Everywhere.

Breaks

Absolutely; for bathrooms, ice-cream, coffee and wine if you like.

Cancellations

Full refund minus ticket costs (if applicable) if a cancellation request has been received at least 48 hours before the activity begins.