Places to Go in Ireland: Powerscourt Estate & Gardens

Hello Everyone :) 

How are you all today? 

Well as I type this up I am looking out a horrible cold winders day full of rain and windy and thinking oh my goodness I really want to turn back time just to 24 hours ago.  Why?  Well yesterday was more like a hot summers day and a day me and my children will never forget.  Well as you know I have 5 kiddies and its hard to just up and go on holidays be it over the sea or even in Ireland simply because its too expensive and not exactly lapping it up.  I did state instead of going on holidays with my kiddies I will go on day trips for the summer holidays and I did so last year.  I wrote about a few places we did visit and thought it was worth while going to especially if you have children.  
The picture you see above is the entrance to an amazing place and believe me when I say you will be snapping pictures from the time you drive in until you drive out 
The place I am talking about is Powerscourt Estate & Gardens in Enniskerry Co Wicklow 
This place is voted one of Ireland Leading attractions and Voted Top 10 Houses in the World 

This amazing house was built in 1741 and it was redesigned around a medieval castle The mansion was designed around the medieval castle in the style of Palladian architecture and featured baroque dome-roofed towers on either side, giving it in the words of one architectural historian, “The massive dignity of a great Italian Renaissance villa.”
In 1974 a major refurbishment of the house was completed in preparation for it joining the gardens as a visitor attraction. Tragically, in the early hours of November 4th a fire broke out on the top floor of Powerscourt House and by the morning the main part of the house was a roofless shell. No-one was injured, but all of the principal reception rooms and bedrooms were destroyed. The walls of the main house, revealing stonework dating back to the 13th century, stood as a stark reminder of the fire for over twenty years. In 1996 the house was re-roofed and it was opened to the public by President Mary Robinson in 1997.
Powerscourt House today is home to the best of Irish design in gifts, clothes and furniture. The Avoca Terrace Café offers the finest Irish artisan, freshly prepared food. Visitors to Powerscourt can experience Tara’s Palace, a unique and magical hand crafted doll’s palace. Powerscourt House was recently voted as One of the Top Ten Houses and Mansions Worldwide by the Lonely Planet Guide. It is wonderful to see Powerscourt House thriving today as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland.

From the drive into this beautiful place you will see nothing but amazing scenery.  The wicklow mountains a so visable from the driveaway it looks amazing.  To the right you will see a huge golf course and behind that more mountains.  A Family ticket only cost €25 and believe me its worth it.  We went right through the house and on into the gardens to see the most amazing view ever awww my goodness its out of this world.
Be warned this post is picture heavy :) :) 

The lady at the entrance told us that the gardens are one of the main attractions of Powerscourt and one of the most looked after places here.  She told us that the flowers and plants are amazing to see and change within the different seasons,  she also told me even in the Winter it doesnt feel like Winter when you walk through the gardens because the flowers looks so beautiful and I would well believe her.  I am going to make it my mission to come here in the winter to see it for myself imagine the snow topped mountains in the backround wow.  
Anyways let me show you just how beautiful these gardens are.  
You will be firstly greeted my the Italian Garden and wow this is amazing For Information on the Italian Garden click here 

Next up is the wonderful Japanese Gardens :) :) 

The Pet Cemetry :) 

The Tower Valley 

Trees, Santuary, flowers and the rest of the Gardens :) 

Ok I think its enough with the photos but there is alot more to see and to be honest the photos dont even do it justice.  It is a full day out for you and you family.  I brought along a picnic to have in the carpark and it was beautiful.  The Cafe is beautiful too with the most gorgeous coffee and cake you ever tasted.  You are going to have an amazing unforgettable day even your children will love it :) :).  

I hope you found this interesting and please remember to charge you camera and even bring a spare battery as you will need it :) 

Until Next Time 

Lots of Love Luck and Laughter 

I love love love hearing from you all :) I make it my duty to read each and every one of you comments and every time i get a comment from you it highlights my day thanks so so much to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx