Tullynally Castle Gardens

Westmeath

Home of the Pakenhams since the 17th century, now a rambling gothick revival castle with over 10 acres of woodland and walled gardens. The present owners have added a Chinese garden complete with pagoda, and collections of rare magnolias, maples and lilies.

Tullynally has been owned by the Pakenhams, later Earls of Longford, since the 17th century. The original fortified house was remodelled by the 2nd Earl as a huge rambling Gothic revival castle in the early 1800s, now one of the largest in Ireland to survive as a family home.

Much of the garden layout also dates from the early 1800s. Terraced lawns around the castle look out over superb parkland. From there winding paths lead to a grotto (decorated with fantastic carvings by a local sculptor), walled gardens with generous flower borders and then down to the upper lake.

From the upper lake, a beautiful woodland path has been opened up, leading to the new Chinese garden complete with pagoda, and then on to the lower lake, past plantings of giant lilies, magnolias, camelias and rhododendrons, many of them collected as seed in China and the Himalayas by the present owner, Thomas Pakenham.

For the energetic, a new circular walk around the lake offers romantic long-distance views of the castle and for children, there are ducks, llamas and a special adventure trail leading to discoveries throughout the gardens.

1.5km outside Castlepollard on the Longford Road (R345) 20km from Mullingar, 80km from Dublin via M4 or N3.

Gardens: open May-Aug, Thur-Sun and Bank Holidays, 13.00-18.00.

Groups welcome by appointment at other times.
Castle rooms open to groups only by previous appointment.

Adults €6.00, Children (6-16) €3.00.

Castle Rooms open only to pre-booked groups by arrangement.

Toilets, Parking, partial wheelchair access
Coffee shop/giftshop in castles courtyard open May/June/weekends and bank holidays, then daily from 1 July - 17 August 14.00-18.00.

Valerie Pakenham
Tullynally Castle & Gardens,
Castlepollard,
Co Westmeath

Tel: +353 44 9661159
Fax: +353 44 9661856