Powerscourt Estate and Gardens Day Trip

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In the end of May, my mom and step dad came to Ireland to visit. We took several day trips about the area and had a really great time seeing each other. On May 31, mom and I went to Powerscourt Estate and Gardens because I had a discount ticket for the bus trip down which included the entry.

Bus tour with a long winded guide...
(me and mom on the upper deck of the bus – don’t we look happy)

Powerscourt is situated in the Wicklow mountains about 35 minutes south of Dublin, and was originally built as a country castle estate around 1300 by Baron La Poer (Anglocised to Powers). The castle’s position was of strategic military importance, in that the castle’s owner could control access to the nearby Dargle, Glencree and Glencullen rivers. The original home built here was 3 stories and had some 68 rooms. Over time, the castle changed hands many times.

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In the 1700’s, the castle was remodeled to have the current palace built around the remnants of the castle which had been gutted by fire. In the 1800’s, the house underwent renovations to “modernize” the estate. Mervyn Wingfield, seventh Viscount Powerscourt, decided that the grounds needed redone as well.

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He had the grounds were laid out include a walled garden (above), tower valley (with stone tower – below),

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fish pond, grottoes,

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(Grotto looking into the Japanese Gardens)

and terraces – all of which were said to have been inspired by a visit to Versailles. A century later, the Japanese garden

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and a pet cemetery (below)was added. The entire parkland was completed around 1880.

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Today, the home is a tourist attraction, has a 18 hole golf course, a beautiful waterfall, and even has a Ritz Carlton hotel nearby commanding some of the best views of the mountains.

More information about the Powerscourt House & Gardens can be found at:

www.powerscourt.ie

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For more pictures from the gardens, please see my flickr site here.

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Raspseed in Bloom

Worlitz Panorama 3

One of the most amazing parts of European travel is that Raspseed is grown here pretty extensively to be used in Canola oil and as an alternative fuel source. When you travel about Germany, Poland, and even parts of Ireland at the right time of year, you find fields of a lovely golden yellow inter spaced by fields of green wheat, corn, and native grasses. It smells delicious and makes for lovely scenery as you drive past. These pictures were taken in May of 2010, but I think they’re still eye catching even processing them a year later.

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Raspseed in bloom with ridge behind

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Schwerin

Ok, I finally did it – I broke down and got a copy of Adobe Lightroom.  With over 3000 pictures behind in my “storage” (I’ve been gone travelling almost every weekend since May, and when I haven’t been gone on day trips, I’ve been out being social and/or trying to just clean enough stuff to get by for the next week.)  this has been very cool to learn.  It allows for some bulk editing of photos, which means that I may be able to catch up to editing and getting pictures online for you to view. 

Over the weekend I have put up the pictures from Schwerin (link to flickr set here), where this year’s Buga (one of germany’s biggest) landscape and garden show was held.  The photography group I’m a part of made a very long day trip up on May 2nd – and the weather was absolutely perfect.   Clear blue skies, a light breeze and sun sun sun.  Add to it the Tulips being in full bloom, and I was a happy girl because I could get great photos – and also a few new ideas for my dad’s business back in the states.

A couple highlights (some are available for print – if you’re interested):

IMGP9915ed Schwerin Castle

IMGP9996 Castle’s landscaped beds

Tea Garden
The back is a conservatory/tea garden that was built out – the top is the upper gardens that walk around to where I’m standing for the photograph – on a huge columnade platform that has a walking area and sculptures. My back is to the Schwerin Harbor (beautiful!). To my Left is a man made island – and to my right – a man made grotto where the waves break.


Private Island
Private Island

Man Made Grotto (outside)
Man Made Grotto

Best of all, though – were the flowers:
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And the Romantic Fairy-ringed Tree:

Fairy Tree


So, from me and my dog who went, I wish you all the best!
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