Being “only an hour from Dublin” and centred almost in the middle of Ireland, North Westmeath remains a little know, and very scenic area. Castlepollard is the brightest gem in Ireland’s Ancient East Tourist region with many attractions from the ancient Abbey at Fore to the location where this event is being hoisted, Tullynally Castle.
Tullynally Castle and Gardens is the family home of Thomas and Valerie Pakenham, It is the largest privately inhabited castle in Ireland. Its interior is part Georgian, part Gothic revival and there is a fine collection of furniture and pictures.
Terraced lawns around the castle overlook the superb 18th Century parkland. The adjoining woodland gardens and walled gardens date largely from the same period and encompass a grotto of eroded limestone from nearby Lough Derravaragh and two ornamental lakes.
The present owners have added Chinese gardens and a local sculptor has made fantastic woodcarvings. The walled gardens have extensive flower borders and an avenue of giant 200 year old Irish yews. A woodland walk leads to the lower lake past plantings of giant lilies, rhododendrons camellias and magnolias, many of which should still be in flower.
Admission to the event will include admission to the marvellous gardens and should not be missed.
