Is Lismore Castle Open to the Public?
No, Lismore Castle itself is not open to the public, it is a private residence. However Lismore Castle Gardens are open to the public and a great place to visit. The Castle is also available for rent, exclusively.
More About Lismore Castle
Lismore Castle (Irish: Caisleán an Lios Mhóir) is the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire And is located in the town of Lismore in County Waterford in the Republic of Ireland. Lismore Castle initially belonged to the Earls of Desmond, and from 1753 to the Cavendish family from 1753.
Prince John of England built Lismore Castle in 1185 as the sister castle to Ardfinnan Castle with the aim of guarding the river crossing. Lismore Abbey originally occupied the castle site and was an important seat of learning and a monastery which was established in the 7th century. It served as an ecclesiastical centre for more than 400 years and also briefly in 1185 served as the episcopal residence of the local bishop. Lismore Castle was owned by the Earls of Desmond whose lands were broken up after The 15th Earl of Desmond was killed in 1583.
In 1589 Sir Walter Raleigh initially leased and later purchased Lismore Castle. After being imprisoned for High Treason in 1602. Raleigh sold the property to Richard Boyle, who later became in 1620, The 1st Earl of Cork.
The Cavendish family acquired Lismore Castle in 1753 when Lady Charlotte Boyle married the Marquess of Hartington, who later became, in 1755, The 4th Duke of Devonshire (1720-1764), a future Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Lismore Castle is one of the ancestral homes of the Devonshire family and was looked after over the centuries. Current Lismore Castle is in the stewardship of Lord and Lady Burlington and is available as a private-rental estate. all yours to enjoy exclusively.
Although Lismore Castle is not open to the public, the Lismore Castle Gardens is well worth a visit.
Lismore Castle Gardens
Historically, the gardens of Lismore Castle are really two distinct gardens and these are set within the castle walls. The gardens comprise seven acres and have spectacular views of the Castle and surrounding countryside.
Lower Garden
The 6th Duke of Devonshire commissioned the creation of the lower garden in the 19th century When following the meandering paths, you will be led through an informal setting of trees and shrubs that leads out onto open lawns. The heart and the oldest part of the garden is the stately yew avenue. There is always something in bloom at the lower garden, from the spring flowering magnolias and rhododendrons through to the later flowering shrubs and borders, making this a year round delight to visit.
Upper Garden
The Riding House guards the entrance to the upper garden. Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork first constructed this walled garden in 1605 and the walls and terraces have remained the same throughout the years, although the plantings may have been changed according to the tastes of those living within the Castle. The garden is an eclectic mix of ornamental borders and productive areas and it also produces vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers for the kitchen and house,
Several pieces of contemporary sculpture have been installed in the gardens which include works by Antony Gormley as well as Eilis O’Connell and your garden ticket will give you access to Lismore Castle Arts, an onsite contemporary art gallery, which displays temporary exhibitions of national and international artists.
Did you know that Ireland has more than 30 000 castles? So where do you start to choose one to visit? Fortunately here at Love Ireland, we have you covered, for more information:
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