Shankill Castle & Gardens

Kilkenny

Originally a Queen Anne house, enlarged and castellated in the 19th century, the gardens contain features from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The studio of owner/artist Elizabeth Cope can be visited.

Shankill Castle started as a Bulter tower-house near the ruins of an old church. In 1708 it was rebuilt and set in a formal landscape, vista to the front and canal to the rear by Peter Alyward who had bought the lands from his wife's family.
In the 19th century, it was enlarged and castellated, serpentine bays added to the canal and an unusual polyhedral sundial given pride of place on a sunken lawn. A gothic porch bearing the Alyward crest and a delightful conservatory were other additions. The stable-yard and the castellated entrance to the demesne are attributed to Daniel Robertson.

In the garden there are remnants of 18th century lime alles, 19th century laurel lawns, some Victorian favourites such as the now gigantic Sequoias and 20th century, self-sown ash trees. The moated garden, once a rose garden then forgotten and planted with Sitka spruces is now a spring garden, and the graveyard blooms all year round. The walled garden has a charming apple arch under-planted with red tulips; and some antique goblet-shaped pear trees trained against a mellow brick wall.

Since 1991 Shankill Castle is home and studio to the artist Elizabeth Cope, whose paintings are on display.

Near the N9-N10 junction at Paulstown (Whitehall) 12 miles from Carlow, 10 miles from Kilkenny.

June, July, August: Fri, Sat, Sun 11am -6pm
&
all year round by prior arrangement: tel. 059 9726145 / 087 2437125

€10 per person (includes Guided Tour of House, Gardens + Light Refreshments)
For group bookings contact Geoffrey Cope: copeshankillcastle@eircom.net


Special Family Ticket

Toilets. Teas for groups by prior arrangement.
Studio open by request.

Geoffrey Cope,
Shankill Castle & Gardens,
Paulstown (Whitehall),


Co. Kilkenny

Tel/Fax: +353 59 9726145